Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Featured in: Cozy Cravings

This velvety tomato basil soup combines crushed tomatoes, cream, and fresh aromatic basil for a smooth, rich flavor. Sautéed onion and garlic form the base, while a touch of tomato paste and seasoning enhance depth. The soup is pureed until creamy, creating a luscious texture. Paired with buttery grilled sourdough bread rubbed with garlic, it offers a perfect balance of fresh and toasty notes. Ideal for cozy meals, this dish comes together in under an hour and serves four.

Updated on Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:48:15 GMT
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh basil leaves and served with golden, crispy sourdough strips for dipping. Save
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh basil leaves and served with golden, crispy sourdough strips for dipping. | butterhollow.com

There is something deeply comforting about a bowl of creamy tomato basil soup on a cool evening—the kind of meal that wraps around you like a warm blanket. This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers is exactly that: a velvety, aromatic soup infused with the brightness of fresh basil and the rich depth of crushed tomatoes, finished with a swirl of heavy cream that transforms it into something truly luxurious. Served alongside golden, buttery sourdough dippers rubbed with garlic, this is the ultimate cozy comfort food that comes together in just 50 minutes.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh basil leaves and served with golden, crispy sourdough strips for dipping. Save
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh basil leaves and served with golden, crispy sourdough strips for dipping. | butterhollow.com

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The secret to this soup's depth of flavor lies in building a proper base: sautéed onions become sweet and translucent, minced garlic blooms in the warm olive oil, and tomato paste adds a concentrated richness that elevates the whole pot. After a gentle 20-minute simmer, fresh basil and heavy cream are stirred in, and the blender does the rest—producing a soup so smooth and silky you'll want to make it every week. The sourdough dippers, grilled golden and kissed with garlic butter, are the perfect companion for scooping up every last drop.

Ingredients

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  • Soup
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • Sourdough Dippers
  • 1 small sourdough loaf, cut into thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 garlic clove, halved
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Instructions

Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
Step 2
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3
Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Step 4
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil.
Step 6
Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender in batches) to blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7
For the sourdough dippers, preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread butter on both sides of each sourdough slice.
Step 8
Grill the bread slices for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. While still warm, rub each slice lightly with the cut side of the garlic clove.
Step 9
Cut bread into strips for dipping.
Step 10
Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra basil, and serve with sourdough dippers on the side.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Für das beste Ergebnis solltest du die Suppe nach dem Pürieren noch einmal sorgfältig abschmecken—ein kleiner Spritzer frischer Zitronensaft kann die Aromen zusätzlich aufhellen. Wenn du einen Standmixer verwendest, fülle ihn niemals mehr als zur Hälfte mit heißer Flüssigkeit und halte den Deckel fest, um Spritzer zu vermeiden. Die frische Basilikum sollte erst nach dem Kochen hinzugefügt werden, damit ihre Farbe und ihr Aroma erhalten bleiben. Für die Sourdough Dippers sorgt weiche Butter dafür, dass jede Scheibe gleichmäßig bestrichen wird—so wird das Brot rundum goldbraun und knusprig.

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Varianten und Anpassungen

Für eine vegane Version der Suppe kann die Sahne durch Kokosmilch oder Cashewcreme ersetzt werden, und die Butter für die Dippers durch eine pflanzliche Alternative. Wer es etwas schärfer mag, kann beim Köcheln eine Prise Chiliflocken hinzufügen. Die Suppe lässt sich auch wunderbar mit frischen, reifen Tomaten aus dem Garten zubereiten—einfach die Menge verdoppeln und die Kochzeit etwas verlängern, bis die Tomaten vollständig weich sind. Wer eine noch reichhaltigere Suppe bevorzugt, kann die Menge an Sahne leicht erhöhen oder einen Löffel Mascarpone einrühren.

Serviervorschläge

Diese cremige Tomaten-Basilikum-Suppe wird am besten heiß serviert, großzügig mit frischen Basilikumblättern garniert und mit den noch warmen Sourdough Dippers an der Seite. Die knusprigen Brotstreifen eignen sich perfekt zum Dippen und nehmen die samtigen Suppe wunderschön auf. Als Getränkebegleitung passen ein frischer Sauvignon Blanc oder ein leichter Pinot Noir hervorragend dazu. Die Suppe eignet sich auch als eleganter erster Gang für ein Dinner mit Gästen oder als wärmendes Mittagessen an kühlen Tagen.

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| butterhollow.com

Whether you are curled up on the couch on a rainy afternoon or hosting friends for a casual dinner, this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Sourdough Dippers delivers warmth, flavor, and pure satisfaction in every bowl. It is the kind of recipe you will return to again and again—simple enough for a weeknight, yet impressive enough to share. Ladle it up, dip generously, and savor every last drop.

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Kitchen Tips & Answers

What type of bread works best for the dippers?

Thick slices of sourdough bread grilled with butter and garlic create a crispy, flavorful accompaniment.

Can the cream be substituted for a dairy-free option?

Yes, coconut or cashew cream can replace heavy cream to maintain creaminess without dairy.

How is the soup thickened to be velvety?

The heavy cream and blending process create a smooth, rich texture by softening and homogenizing ingredients.

What herbs complement the tomato and basil flavor?

Fresh basil is key, but additional herbs like thyme or oregano can subtly enhance the profile.

Is it possible to add a spicy kick to this dish?

A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in during simmering adds gentle heat without overpowering the flavors.

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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Smooth tomato blend with fresh basil and crisp sourdough dippers for a warm, comforting dish.

Prep duration
15 min
Heat duration
35 min
Complete duration
50 min
Created by Ella Thompson


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Eating preferences Meat-free

What you'll need

Soup

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
05 2 cups vegetable broth
06 1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 1 teaspoon sugar
08 1 teaspoon salt
09 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Sourdough Dippers

01 1 small sourdough loaf, cut into thick slices
02 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 1 garlic clove, halved

Method

Phase 01

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.

Phase 02

Bloom Garlic: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Phase 03

Build Soup Base: Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

Phase 04

Simmer Soup: Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Phase 05

Finish Soup: Remove from heat. Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil.

Phase 06

Blend Soup: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Phase 07

Prepare Sourdough: Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread butter on both sides of each sourdough slice.

Phase 08

Toast Bread: Grill bread slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. While still warm, rub each slice lightly with the cut side of the garlic clove.

Phase 09

Cut Dippers: Cut bread into strips for dipping.

Phase 10

Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with extra basil, and serve with sourdough dippers on the side.

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Kitchen tools needed

  • Large pot
  • Immersion blender or countertop blender
  • Skillet or griddle
  • Bread knife
  • Ladle

Allergy details

Always review individual ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat from sourdough bread
  • Contains dairy including butter and heavy cream
  • Double-check bread ingredients for potential allergens

Nutrient breakdown per portion

Numbers shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 340
  • Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 7 g

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