This cafe-style Tomato Basil Soup is ready in under 30 minutes. Save yourself the time and money and make this delicious soup at home that’s bursting with flavor from tomatoes, parmesan rind, and fresh basil.
30 Minute Tomato Soup Recipe
Who says that you need to let a soup simmer all day? This Tomato Basil Soup is the exact opposite and honestly, we think it’s better for it!
You only need about five minutes to prep this recipe and then it’s ready to eat in under 30 minutes. And it’s the perfect lunch or quick dinner idea. Pair it with grilled cheese and you’re good to go! But how can a soup be so delicious when it’s only been cooking for 30 minutes?
The secret here is a good can of tomatoes (San Marzano are our favorite), fresh garlic and onions, a parmesan rind, and tons of basil. That’s it! When you combine those simple ingredients you get an incredibly flavored soup. We find that if you let tomato soup simmer for too long it becomes bitter and almost too rich. But this quick and simple recipe highlights the fresh and bright flavor of the tomatoes perfectly.
Looking for a homemade tomato soup made with fresh tomatoes? Check out our Roasted Tomato Soup!
Why This is The Best Tomato Soup
There are a lot of great things about this soup! Here is why you’re going to love it:
- It’s quick and easy. We will never pass on a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. So there are no excuses not to make this soup! Not only is it fast, but it’s also really simple.
- There’s a short list of ingredients. And not only that, they are affordable and easy to store! We stock up on cans of tomatoes just to make recipes like this one.
- It’s healthy. There’s no added sugar or preservatives like you might find in canned tomato soups. It’s naturally gluten-free and by omitting the parmesan rind, it can be dairy-free, too.
Recipe Ingredients
The exact amounts that you need for each ingredient are below in the recipe card.
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Garlic: Highly recommend using fresh garlic here! It is the foundation for that incredible flavor.
- Yellow Onion: White or sweet onion will also work.
- Canned Peeled Tomatoes: We like to use Cento San Marzano canned whole tomatoes.
- Chicken Broth: You can also use vegetable broth.
- Parmesan Rind: Optional, but highly recommended! It adds salt and umami flavor to the soup.
- Italian Seasoning: You could also use a blend of dried basil, parsley, oregano, and thyme.
- Fresh Basil: You can substitute dried basil for the fresh basil in step 3 if needed. Add 1 tablespoon of dried basil when you add the Italian seasoning. However, fresh basil will add the best basil flavor to your soup.
- Salt and Pepper: Freshly cracked pepper really increases the flavor!
- Heavy Cream: This is an optional garnish to add a little creaminess.
How to Make Tomato Basil Soup
Here are the simple steps for making this easy tomato soup recipe.
First, cook the onions and garlic. Cook them until they are fragrant and translucent. Then you can add the tomatoes.
Pour in the broth and add the parmesan rind and Italian seasoning. And let this simmer for about 20 minutes.
Next, add half of the basil to the soup. Then, using an immersion blender, puree the soup.
Lastly, season the soup and serve. Check the soup for seasoning and add as much salt and pepper as you’d like. Then you can serve the soup immediately and garnish with the extra basil and heavy cream if you’d like.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while making this recipe. Also, we’ve included some ways that you can mix up the flavors.
- Don’t drain the tomato cans. You want to use the liquid as well as the peeled tomatoes.
- Try using bone broth. I used low sodium bone broth because bone broth adds more flavor. You can also use vegetable broth.
- Blend the soup a different way. You do not have to use an immersion blender or a blender. Try using a potato masher if you don’t have a blender or don’t want to transfer the hot liquid.
- Go easy on the basil. Even if you LOVE basil, be careful not to add too much basil to your soup. Basil can quickly have an overpowering flavor over the tomatoes.
- Add some heat. Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Add a little sweetness. Add a teaspoon of sugar if you like it a little sweet. Additionally, sugar can also help tame the acidic tomato flavor.
What To Serve with Homemade Soup
Below are a few of our favorite foods to pair with this Tomato Basil Soup.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: This is the obvious one! And we have a great Air Fryer Grilled Cheese or Pesto Grilled Cheese!
- Salads: Soup and salads are a great combo for an easy dinner or lunch. Try our Cucumber Salad as a light and crunchy option.
- Buttery Biscuits: We love serving up homemade biscuits or rolls (like these Herb Air Fryer Crescent Rolls) with this soup.
- Cheese and Cracker Board: The kids love when we pair this soup with an easy platter made with cheese, crackers, fruit, and vegetables.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
You can store the Tomato Basil Soup in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 5 days.
Then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. If the soup has gotten too thick, add a little broth to thin it out.
Can I Freeze Homemade Tomato Soup?
You can freeze the soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 28 oz cans peeled tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Parmesan rind, optional
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 10-12 basil leaves, chopped, set half aside for serving
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Heavy cream, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven, or heavy bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook a minute more.
- Add the peeled tomatoes (do not drain), chicken broth, parmesan rind and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer ,over low to medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
- Add half of the basil, reserving the other half, for serving.
- Using an immersion blender (or carefully transfer soup to a blender), puree soup until there are no large chunks left. You can make it as smooth, or chunky, as you want.
- Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with fresh basil, and an optional drizzle of heavy cream, for garnish.
