Authentic Grandma's Heirloom Tomato Basil Soup
A deeply flavorful soup made with sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil, evoking the simplicity of home cooking passed down through generations. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 285 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves. Heat 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, then add onions and garlic, sautéing for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Chop 1.5 lbs heirloom tomatoes into 1/2-inch pieces and add to the pot. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and release juices.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, then blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until heated through and flavors meld, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
