Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe | Just 7 Ingredients

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe | Just 7 Ingredients

Who doesn’t love the tomato basil soup from La Madeline? It’s rich, creamy, and utterly delicious! Unfortunately, we don’t live anywhere near one so I had to come up with a homemade version to get me through my infrequent visits.

With just 7 simple ingredients, you can recreate this creamy tomato basil soup in your kitchen too. It’s ready to serve in under 30 minutes so you can make it any night of the week. 

Warm and comforting, this rich tomato soup is perfect for chilly days. The addition of fresh basil highlights the rich combination of tomatoes and cream.  If you think that you don’t like tomato soup you have to give this recipe a try. It’s going to change your mind.

Okay, let’s talk about the real MVPs of this recipe: the San Marzano tomatoes. They’re not just any tomatoes; they’re the secret sauce that elevates this soup from “meh” to “OMG, La Madeleine who?”

San Marzanos are like tiny flavor bombs, concentrated with natural sweetness and a tangy acidity that’s perfectly balanced. If you’ve never tried them, you are in for a treat. They give this soup its rich flavor without the need to add tomato paste. 

Their thick flesh and minimal seeds create a smooth, almost velvet-like texture when blended, making them perfect for that signature La Madeleine creaminess with no grainy bits.

Unlike some canned tomatoes, San Marzanos have a naturally lower acidity. This means they play well with the cream and basil.

Let’s gather up the ingredients

  • Chicken broth– Use a high quality broth from a can or make your own. You could use also vegetable broth instead.

  • Fresh Basil leaves– Fresh herbs are the key here. You won’t get the same bright flavor from dried.

  • Heavy Cream

  • Fresh Garlic– fresh garlic cloves give this creamy tomato soup just a hint of garlic flavor.

  • Butter– using high-quality grass-fed butter will give you the best flavor.

  • Fresh lemon juice– adds a touch of bright acidity.

Salt and Fresh cracked black pepper

Now Let’s get cooking!

Add the whole tomatoes to a large pot. With clean hands gently crush them into a pulp.

Tips for success: Be sure to do this inside of the pot and not above it. As they burst open they can make quite a mess.  Alternatively, you could use a potato masher, but that is just one more utensil to clean.

Add the chicken broth and the garlic cloves. Simmer over medium low heat for about 20 minutes.

Once it has simmered, add the freshly torn basil leaves and puree everything together.

I like to use my immersion blender for this. This is one of the tools I would recommend to anyone cooking in their RV. It is very affordable and it can be stored neatly in a drawer.

The other plus is that you can make soups and sauces right in the pot so you don’t have as many dishes to clean. If you don’t have one, you could always transfer the soup to a blender or a food processor to do this.

Tips for success: Make sure to let the soup cool before transferring it to a blender. Hot liquid + blender = disaster. You will have tomato soup on your walls, cabinets, and even your ceiling. Don’t ask me how I know.  Once blended, you can pour the soup back into the pot to reheat it. 

Now add the cream and butter while stirring over low heat. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. 

This recipe can easily be doubled so make extra! The leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. I like to put mine in mason jars so that I can throw them into my work bag for lunch the next day.

How to serve

Serve it with some crusty bread and a Simple Caesar Salad or whip up some grilled cheese sandwiches for dunking.

It would also be fantastic served next to quiche or a Spinach Frittata.

This is a great recipe to make your own. Top it with some homemade croutons or maybe some freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Or add a drizzle of olive oil and some red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze it?

Yes! This soup freezes beautifully. Just cool it completely, then portion it into airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat gently when you’re craving some comfort food.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

No worries! Dried herbs will work in a pinch, though fresh will have a brighter flavor. Start with a teaspoon and adjust according to your taste preference.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely! This soup actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have time to meld. Just remember to reheat it gently to avoid scorching the bottom.

More comforting recipes to try

Creamy Chicken Mushroom Soup

Steakhouse Macaroni and Cheese

One Pot Zuppa Toscana

So there you have it friends – my easy creamy tomato basil soup recipe that truly does taste like it came straight from the La Madeleine menu! With only a handful of ingredients and just 30 minutes, you can have this comforting classic on the dinner table in no time.

If you decide to make this homemade tomato basil soup or any of my other recipes, please give it a rating and let me know how yours turned out. I love hearing your feedback and I will do my best to answer any questions you have as quickly as I can. 

As always, I will be back next week with more delicious recipes from my RV kitchen to yours!

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Tomato basil soup

Tomato Basil Soup

With just 7 ingredients you can make a rich and creamy tomato basil soup that tastes like it came straight from the La Madeleine menu!
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American, French
Servings 5 People
Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender or Immersion blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 28-ounce can San Marzano Tomatoes with their juice
  • 1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth or 1 3/4 cup homemade broth
  • 10-12 fresh basil leaves depending on size
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Add the 28-ounce can of tomatoes (along with their juice) to a medium saucepan and then crush them either with clean hands or a potato masher.
  • Add the 14.5 oz can of chicken broth (or 1 3/4 cup of homemade broth) along with the 2 garlic cloves.
    Simmer for 20 minutes.
  • After it has simmered, add the basil leaves and puree with an immersion blender (or if you don't have one, in a regular blender. Just be sure to cool the soup before blending).
  • Add 1/2 cup cream and 4 tablespoons butter, while stirring, over low heat.
  • Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT: If you are going to use a blender to puree the soup please be sure to let it cool first. Hot liquids expand and it will explode all over your kitchen if you try to blend it while it’s still hot. 
 
Calorie Disclaimer:
The nutritional information provided is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the actual nutritional content of recipes may vary depending on various factors, including the specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and cooking methods.
Keyword Basil, comfort food, Creamy, Soup, Tomato


10 thoughts on “Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe | Just 7 Ingredients”

  • 5 stars
    I made this soup tonight and it tasted amazing. My entire family wanted more. I can’t wait to make it again and love that it is just 7 ingredients

  • 5 stars
    This soup turned out great!! Super creamy, packed with flavor. I paired it with some crusty bread for an easy lunch!

  • 5 stars
    so happy I came across this recipe! I was looking for a comforting soup to prepare for our dinner. You can taste the herbs and the delicious flavors of all the ingredients combined in one soup. Very delicious and my family enjoyed it. I made enough of this so I can save some to reheat for another day.

  • 5 stars
    Can I just say this is a classic comfort food in a bowl? So rich and flavorful but also refreshing. Will make this again when my folks come to visit!

  • 5 stars
    This tastes really goood!. Personally, I consider this as a comfort food! I’ve added it to my favorite comfort food recipes already so I can cook it again soon 🙂

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