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Easy Cozy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe No Cream Perfect for Cold Days

easy cozy tomato basil soup - featured image

A light, warming tomato basil soup that skips cream but delivers rich flavor with fresh herbs and slow simmering. Perfect for cozy nights and quick comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed and chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and soft, stirring occasionally to avoid browning.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Pour in the canned tomatoes with their juices, breaking them up gently with a spoon or spatula. Add the vegetable broth to the pot.
  4. Season with dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes.
  5. Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves and, if using, the teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to balance acidity.
  6. Puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender right in the pot. If using a regular blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches, then return to the pot.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt or pepper as needed. If the soup feels too thick, stir in a splash more broth or water to reach desired consistency.
  8. Warm the soup gently on low heat if needed before serving.

Notes

Do not rush the simmer to allow flavors to concentrate. Add fresh basil at the end to keep its bright flavor. Use quality canned tomatoes like San Marzano for best taste. Avoid overblending to maintain good texture. Adjust acidity with honey or maple syrup if tomatoes are too tart. Soup can be stored in fridge up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato basil soup, easy tomato soup, no cream soup, cozy soup, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup, quick soup recipe