Description
Tomatoes, onion, and whole garlic heads are roasted until caramelized, then blended with broth, tomato paste, cream, and basil for a velvety, rich tomato soup. Finished with balsamic or lemon for brightness, it’s cozy, silky, and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients
3 lb ripe tomatoes (Roma or on-the-vine), halved
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
2 heads garlic, tops sliced off
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1 tsp balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
Pinch sugar or honey (if tomatoes are very acidic)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Arrange tomatoes, onion, and garlic heads (cut side up) on pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Roast 30–35 minutes until tomatoes are wrinkled and garlic is golden and soft. Cool slightly.
- Squeeze roasted garlic into a large pot. Add roasted tomatoes, onion, and pan juices. Stir in tomato paste and broth.
- Simmer 8–10 minutes over medium heat.
- Blend until smooth with immersion blender (or carefully in batches). Strain for ultra-silky texture if desired.
- Stir in cream (or coconut milk), basil, and vinegar/lemon. Warm gently (do not boil). Taste and adjust seasoning, adding sugar if too acidic.
- Ladle into bowls, garnish with basil and olive oil drizzle.
Notes
Vegan/Dairy-free: use coconut milk or cashew cream.
Add roasted red bell pepper for smoky depth.
Swap basil for thyme, oregano, or stir in pesto.
Add Calabrian chili paste or smoked paprika for heat.
Shortcut: roast garlic and onion, then use canned tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roast + Simmer + Blend
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg