Tomato and Basil Soup Recipe
This homemade tomato and basil soup is rich, creamy, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavours. Made with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, onion, and cream, it’s an easy soup recipe that’s perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or an elegant starter.
Unlike many recipes that rely on canned tomatoes, this tomato basil soup uses fresh tomatoes to create a naturally sweet and vibrant flavour. When combined with aromatic basil and slow-cooked to develop depth, the result is a restaurant-quality soup that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.
Whether you’re growing your own tomatoes and basil or buying them from your local market, this recipe is one of the best ways to showcase fresh seasonal ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Tomato and Basil Soup
- Made with fresh tomatoes and basil for maximum flavour
- Easy slow cooker recipe with minimal preparation
- Smooth, creamy texture with rich tomato flavour
- Perfect for using home-grown tomatoes
- Freezes well for future meals
- Great served with crusty bread or grilled cheese
Tomato and Basil Soup Recipe
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5 hours 15 minutes – when using a slow cooker
Total Time
5 hours 25 minutes
Servings
6 People
Cuisine
Italian, Mediterranean
Course
Lunch, Soup
Equipment
- Chef’s Knife (Available from Amazon)
- Chopping Board
- Saucepan
- Slow Cooker
- Rotary Food mill see below
Ingredients
- 900 g Fresh tomatoes Vine ripened or Roma or San Marzano
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil leaves
- 1Â Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Sun-dried tomato paste
- 600 ml Vegetable stock
- 25 g Butter
- 120 ml Dry white wine
- 150 ml Double cream
- 1/2 tsp Fresh Oregano
- 3 tbsp virgin olive oil
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the ingredients
Chop the tomatoes into large pieces, and the onion & garlic into small pieces.
Make the vegetable stock
Step 2 – Heat the ingredients
Heat oil and butter in saucepan. Add & fry the onion until softened, add the garlic and fry for another 1 minute.
Then add the chopped tomatoes, stock, oregano, white wine and sun-dried tomato paste. Stir and heat to just below boiling
Step 3 – Slow Cooker
Pour everything into the slow cooker and put on high for 1 hour.
After 1 hour switch to low for another 4 hours
Step 4 – The Food Mill
Leave to cool for a few minutes and then run through food mill.
Step 5 – Finalise the soup
Pour into clean saucepan and add basil and cream and heat until just below boiling
Tips for Making the Best Tomato and Basil Soup
Use the Best Tomatoes You Can Find
The quality of your tomatoes has the biggest impact on flavour. San Marzano, Roma, and vine-ripened tomatoes all work exceptionally well because they contain more flesh and natural sweetness than many standard varieties.
If you grow your own tomatoes, harvest them when fully ripe for the strongest flavour and best colour.
The step by step guide to growing tomatoes will show you exactly what to do and how
Fresh Basil Makes a Huge Difference
Fresh basil provides the distinctive aroma that makes tomato basil soup so popular.
Genovese basil is the traditional choice and offers a sweet, slightly peppery flavour that complements tomatoes perfectly.
Adding basil near the end of cooking helps retain its fresh taste and vibrant aroma.
Slow Cooking Creates Richer Flavour
Cooking the soup slowly allows the tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and stock to blend together and develop a deeper flavour profile.
While you can cook the recipe on the hob, many cooks find that slow cooking produces a richer and smoother soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make tomato and basil soup with fresh tomatoes?
Yes. Fresh tomatoes provide a sweeter and brighter flavour than many canned alternatives. Roma, San Marzano, and vine-ripened tomatoes are particularly good choices.
Can I freeze tomato and basil soup?
Yes. Allow the soup to cool completely before freezing. It can typically be frozen for up to 3 months in airtight containers.
Can I make this soup without cream?
Absolutely. The cream adds richness, but you can omit it for a lighter soup or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
What’s the best basil for tomato soup?
Genovese basil is generally considered the best variety because of its sweet flavour and strong aroma.
Is tomato and basil soup healthy?
Tomatoes contain vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, making tomato and basil soup a nutritious choice when prepared with fresh ingredients.
What to Serve with Tomato and Basil Soup
Tomato and basil soup pairs beautifully with:
- Warm crusty bread
- Garlic focaccia
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Parmesan croutons
- Fresh green salads
- Mozzarella and tomato bruschetta
The combination of creamy soup and crunchy bread creates a satisfying meal that’s ideal throughout the year.
Tomato and Basil Soup
Equipment
- Chef's Knife (Available from Amazon)
- Chopping Board
- Saucepan
- Slow Cooker
- Rotary Food mill see below
Ingredients
- 900 g Fresh tomatoes Vine ripened or Roma or San Marzano
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil leaves
- 1 Onion
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Sun-dried tomato paste
- 600 ml Vegetable stock
- 25 g Butter
- 120 ml Dry white wine
- 150 ml Double cream
- 1/2 tsp Fresh Oregano
- 3 tbsp virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1 – Prepare the ingredientsChop the tomatoes into large pieces, and the onion & garlic into small piecesMake the vegetable stock
- Step 2 – Heat the ingredientsHeat oil and butter in saucepanAdd & fry the onion until softened, add the garlic and fry for another 1 minute.Then add the chopped tomatoes, stock, oregano, white wine and sun-dried tomato paste.Stir and heat to just below boiling
- Step 3 – Slow CookerPour everything into the slow cooker and put on high for 1 hourafter 1 hour switch to low for another 4 hours
- Step 4 – The Food MillLeave to cool for a few minutes and then run through food mill.
- Step 5 – Finalise the soupPour into clean saucepan and add basil and cream and heat until just below boiling
Video
Notes
Nutrition
How to grow Tomato and Basil Soup ingredients
Hopefully the basil and tomato soup recipe might inspire you to grow your own fresh basil and tomatoes at home.
When you are cooking fresh herbs tend to make a real difference to the results. Herbs are really easy to grow at home and many of them grow really fast.
To grow your own tomatoes
It’s not very difficult to grow your own at home – even indoors (in your kitchen, spare bedroom, garage, etc.)
All you will need are seeds, growing system and some growing lights. There is detailed description of the – indoor tomato growing system
To grow your own basil
Basil is very easy to grow your own at home in your kitchen, dining room, etc. For the best & fastest results all you will need are seeds, growing system and some growing lights. There is detailed description at how to grow basil indoors
The equipment needed
To make the basil and tomato soup is not very difficult, and you will probably already have most of the equipment.
The one item I find that made a real difference is the rotatory food mill.
For price & to order visit Amazon
Have you made the recipe?
Would love to hear what you thought of it
More information
There are 2 articles that provide ‘step by step’ advice on how to grow basil and tomatoes, which type to select and how to use it in recipes.