The best-rated Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. This recipe relies on fresh tomatoes and herbs rather than cream or milk. It’s rich and full of flavor.

Try other recipes from Ina Garten: Ina Garten Scalloped Potato Recipe, Ina Garten’s Tuna Salad, or Ina Garten’s Turkey Lasagna Recipe.

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More Soup Recipes! Classic comfort soups, such as Sicilian Chicken Soup or One-Pot Chicken Stew and fresh tomato basil soup never get old.

This is a 5-star rated recipe with over 400+ comments. It’s the best tomato basil soup recipe in my opinion. I first stumbled on Ina Garten’s fresh tomato basil soup recipe years ago. Ever since it’s become our go-to recipe.

It relies on seasonal ingredients such as plum tomatoes, fresh basil, and thyme. It’s thick and rich with an amazing depth of flavor. The recipe is truly perfect and I only made a few slightest changes to the original.  

WATCH: How to Roast Tomatoes for Soup

Ingredients for tomato basil soup.

Roasted Tomato Soup Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

  • Plum tomatoes: Forms the base of the soup.
  • Aromatics: Yellow onions and garlic add a sweet, savory flavor, and extra depth.
  • Olive oil and unsalted butter: These sauté the onion and garlic, creating a rich base.
  • Canned tomatoes: Adds volume to the soup and enhances the vibrant tomato flavor.
  • Herbs and spices: Crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper.
  • Chicken stock: Thins out the broth. Use store-bought or homemade chicken stock.

Roasted tomato soup is all about the fresh tomatoes, which are oven roasted until sweet and caramelized, then simmered in chicken stock with ton of fresh basil. Not to mention the crushed red pepper flakes, which add a slight kick to the soup.

The soup is pureed in a blender instead of passing it through a food mill. You can also use a large food processor or even better an immersion blender.

The outcome is perfection! Super creamy (but without the cream) with ton of flavor from the fresh basil, garlic, and thyme. 

Roasted tomato soup in dutch oven.

How to Make Tomato Basil Soup

  1. Roast the Tomatoes – Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set aside. Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and toss with 1/4 cup olive oil. Layer on the baking sheet in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast for 45 minutes.
  2. Cook the Soup – Heat a large dutch-oven over medium heat. Add butter and remaining olive oil. When butter has melted, add the onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Add a pinch of salt, stir, and cook for about 10 minutes. Stir in canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, roasted tomatoes, including the juices, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, uncovered.
  3. Puree and Serve – Transfer the soup to a blender and purée until smooth. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle of cream or dollop of sour cream. And don’t forget grilled cheese. It’s our absolute favorite.
Step by step instruction on how to make tomato soup.

Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe Add Ins

Once you master this basic fresh tomato basil soup recipe, you can dress it up with additional flavors, such as:

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh herbs, such as basil, thyme
  • Splash of something creamy
  • Drizzle of fresh pesto
  • Croutons

What to Serve with Tomato Basil Soup?

Overhead tomato soup recipe with breadstick dunked in.

Freezing Tomato Soup

What’s great about this soup is that you’re guaranteed a bowl of fresh tomato basil soup any time a craving strikes as it freezes so well. Here’s how you do it:

  • Cool the soup completely.
  • Ladle into quart size freezer bags, about 2/3 full.
  • Seal tightly, squeezing out as much air as possible.
  • Label, date, and lay bag flat to freeze.
  • Thaw soup overnight in the refrigerator, reheat and serve.

These containers are also a great alternative to bags. Just leave about an inch of space between the soup and the container’s lid.

Tip! Hold back on any dairy or non-dairy milk or cream when freezing soup as it can easily separate when rewarmed. Simply add it in when reheating the soup.

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup Recipe FAQs

How long to roast tomatoes for soup?

We roast tomatoes for 45 minutes when using them for soup. The key is to roast them just long enough for them to soften and caramelize in the oven.

If you try Roasted Tomato Soup, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.

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Ina Garten’s Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 28 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 mins
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

The best roasted tomato basil soup recipe on the internet! This recipe relies on fresh tomatoes and herbs rather than cream or milk. It’s rich and full of flavor.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 lbs. ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (28 oz) can whole plum tomatoes, with juice
  • 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp. dried)
  • 4 cups chicken stock (homemade or store bought)
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Gently toss the tomatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil and layer on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast for 45 minutes.
  3. In a large dutch-oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are translucent and start to brown, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, roasted tomatoes, including the juices, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, uncovered.
  5. Transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve with drizzle of cream or dollop of sour cream, fresh parmesan, and side of grilled cheese.

Notes

 adapted from the Food Network by Ina Garten.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 228
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 186.4 mg
  • Fat: 17.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14.5 g
  • Protein: 5.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 11.2 mg