If you would have told me before today that I would make tomato soup and after one taste, I’d sit down and devour the whole bowl, I would not believe you.
In fact, before today, the mere words “tomato soup” made me gag a bit. I love tomatoes fresh from the garden and in sauce form, but tomato soup was something I equated with soggy crackers and tin cans.
Little did I know there was tomato soup that tasted like this! Campbell’s…sorry… but you’ve got nothing on this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup. Nothing at all!
I can only imagine how incredible this soup would be with fresh from the garden tomatoes (of which I had none) but even still, with the ingredients I used, it was better than I anticipated being. So good it has definitley made it near the top of my favorite soups. The only thing that would have made it even better was if I served it with a thick slice of homemade Buttery Beer Bread.
Tomato soup, I’m sorry I’ve put you on the “avoid at all costs” list for so long. Hopefully my ode of love to you will help others convert to being a fan. Like myself, prior to today, they don’t know what they’ve been missing.
I used herbs from Gourmet Garden in this soup. Now that our fresh herbs have gone away for the cold weather, I’ve turned to Gourmet Garden in my kitchen for fresh herb flavor. I’ll be sharing more about this product later in the week, including a giveaway for you to try them as well!
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups V-8 juice
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 4 Tablespoons Gourmet Garden Basil or 4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Gourmet Garden Garlic or 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup butter cubed
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large stockpot or French Oven, bring crushed tomatoes, V-8 juice, chicken broth, basil, garlic, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add butter, heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously. Bring heat to medium and stir until butter has melted.
- Serve hot, topping with additional Parmesan cheese as garnish, if desired.
I can completely relate about the soggy crackers and metallic memory of “tomato soup” but we’ve both since grown up and learned that it can be just as beautiful as this ^^ Lovely cup of comfort =)
There is something so magical about homemade tomato soup. I can’t do it from a can, but I’ll eat the heck out of the homemade version!
I’ve been craving tomato soup for ages…gonna have to try this recipe!
Have I told you how gorgeous your site is? Kristen I love it. And I am with you about Campbells giving me a bad taste in my mouth for tomato soup. Although I do love to use it in certain recipes! There is nothing better than homemade mater soup! Your’s looks marvelous ; D.
Have I told you how gorgeous your site is? Kristen I love it. And I am with you about Campbells giving me a bad taste in my mouth for tomato soup. Although I do love to use it in certain recipes! There is nothing better than homemade mater soup! Your’s looks marvelous ; D.
I wasn’t big on tomato soup until I made it myself either! But there is something so addictive about that fresh tomato/fresh basil/hint of cream combo. This looks fabulous!
Joanne – I am now definitley sold! Can’t wait to make it again!
Oh I LOVE Tomato Soup! so I have a question…..what made you make it if you thought it was something you don’t like? lol
you know me and cornbread, I don’t like it…..and don’t think I could ever bring myself to make it.
This looks incredible!
Ha – great question Cheryl. I had to make a kid friendly version for a magazine assignment. After making that and liking it ok, I decided to play with it and adult it up some!
Whilst I do have a soft spot for the stuff in a can when I’m sick, this version looks a hundred times better! I love those gourmet garden herbs too, so handy to have around the kitchen.
So glad you found a love for tomato soup! It’s one of my favorites! A good recipe…and this one looks fab!
Looks yummy!! I want to try it. Could another type of cheese be used? I am not a fan of Parmesan….just curious. Thanks!
This post really speaks to me – I’ve always had the same feeling about canned tomato soup. I have never found one I liked! Thanks for inspiring me to get back in the kitchen and create my own.
I was a late bloomer to the tomato soup club, never had it until I was an adult, maybe at Nature’s Table for the first time? Thankfully it was good so I kept seeking it out, and finally started making my own. This looks so delicious Kristen, I would kill for a bowl of it for lunch right now!
I like to put cooked macaroni in my Tomato Soup for some hearty texture.
That sounds really good, Cindy!
I like to put cooked macaroni in my Tomato Soup for some hearty texture.
Nice…. this is certainly a soup day. I’ve got a big pot simmering away right now.
This sounds so good! When I was pregnant, the only thing I wanted other than white bread, was tomato basil soup from of all places the Nordstrom cafe. Yes, they have the best tomato basil soup ever! Don’t even try it – b/c then you’ll want to go to Nordstrom all the time. But you have a beautiful one you made here, so you’re safe!
How many does your soup serve?
I love love tomato soup, always been a fan. But I have never added the Parm to it, I am sure it is amazingggg! Apparently so , because this recipe converted you to my tomato soup loving side, lol.
I love a good tomato soup. With fresh tomatoes, herbs from the garden and a little cream for good measure. It’s perfect this time of year!
I can’t eat tomato soup out of a can but I could totally get on board with this. Simply perfect!
I LOVE tomato soup, so perfect for fall!
My favorite!
Tomato soup is wonderful during this time of year, I’m so glad you like it now! I definitely want to give this version a whirl, especially since it made a non-believer of tomato soup into a believer!
Homemade tomato soup is truly amazing and your photos are stunning as always!
I am so making this – love creamy tomato soup of all kinds. Also, love the site redesign
I definitely need to make this! I love Gourmet Gardens and seriously never go a day without using them!
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Perfect weeknight supper!
I, too, think your site looks gorgeous! And your photos are always spectacular. My husband agrees.
Tomato soup has always been my favorite. Luckily I’ve moved past the days of Campbell’s and prefer homemade versions such as this one. Looks wonderful!
Welcome to the ranks of “real” tomato soup lovers! Seriously, I was the same…for years I wouldn’t touch tomato soup because my only experience was the canned variety. Once I made it myself at home I was totally hooked. So, so good on a cold day. Especially with a toasty sandwich to dip in.
There’s nothing like a bowl of warm soup on a cold day to make the world a better place. I can’t wait to try a vegan version of this one. Thanks for the inspiration!
LOVE homemade tomato soup — it’s what’s for dinner tonight! I think our recipes are pretty similar, but I’ve never added the parmesan cheese. I have some in the fridge, so I’ll give it a try.
I hear you, I had written off tomato soups for being bland and watery until I tried making them at home and was so pleasantly surprised!
Can’t wait to try this! Looks so good and so easy! I love tomato soup with grilled cheese
Oooooooo, such a rustic and delish looking soup!
This looks amazing! What a fabulous recipe for the fall. LOVE your new blog design; it looks amazing and I’m so happy for you!
xoox
Happy Halloween!
I love homemade tomato soup. So unlike the canned stuff. Yours looks divine – wish I had some for lunch!!
So I don’t know how I read this like 5 times and totally MISSED the fact that you used V8 in it. I am making it now and its going to be slightly adapted because I completely forgot the v8. oops!!! Smells great though and I was lucky enough to still have basil on my plant outside so I was able to use that. I love tomato soup – glad you finally do too!
Hi .. I have been searching the net for tomato basil soup and I came across yours and I will be trying the recipe hopefully tonight and I will be posting it to my blogsite as well if it is successful.
Thank you for the recipe and I will be linking to this site (if it’s ok with you) if I ever publish what I cooked. Btw, your photographs are beautiful. 
Just finished simmering this recipe! I nixed the v8 & used more homemade chicken stock than called for. Being from Louisiana I had to add more season Ii ng, but overall third is a great recipe. I am really going to enjoy this later this evening! Thanks for this yummy idea!
I’ve never found a recipe for tomato basil soup that wasn’t kind if disappointing but this recipe is restaurant quality. It’s so good!
This was so good! It’s the only tomato soup recipe I’m ever going to need.
Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you present here and can’t wait
to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not
even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic blog!
This was my first time making this soup and I am so glad I used this recipe!! It was just unbelievably delicious!! ^-^ I also made your suggested Buttery Beer bread, and you are right, it went so perfect with this. I am so stuffed yet want seconds!
Thank you for sharing both the soup and buttery bread recipes, these are gonna be frequent dinners at my home now.
I know this post is old, but just stopping by to say I’ve made this soup probably 10+ times now. It’s my go to when the weather is cold. Like you, I’m not normally a fan of tomato soup, but this is a game changer. I make it with grilled cheese on sourdough. So good!
Ahhhh I’m so glad you stopped back by to tell me! Now it’s inspired me to make it again soon
Maybe I missed it but no where could I find how many people this recipe would serve. I am making for 45 people and times everything by 5 but have no idea yet how many that will serve. SMells delish and I havent even ut in the butter or cream yet! This is exactly the recipe I was looking for though that used heavy whipping cream and basil!
Hi Barb! It makes about 5 1 cup servings. I feed my family of 6 off of one batch, but some of them are smaller eaters! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Love this soup! For tracking purposes, how many servings does this recipe yield?