I have been on a quest to make the PERFECT Fresh Healthy Tomato Basil Soup that is not cream based ever since we had it one Christmas in Michigan at the 42nd parallel café. I LOVE fresh, hearty vegetable soups, but, often find most of them are cream based and high in fat. I always am disappointed when I hear that they add CREAM to my healthy soup since I am not a big fan of cream based soups. I am sure this soup is better in the summer,but, I couldn’t wait THAT long 😀
I really feel like adding sun dried tomatoes is the secret to this fabulous soup and a great addition to any meal to help you get in more veggies.
Fresh Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large red onion, diced
½ c chopped celery
½ c chopped carrot
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 cups whole roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 jar sun dried tomatoes, drained and rinsed
4 cups low sodium, fat free chicken broth (you could use vegetable)
1 c picked basil leaves
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes plus more for topping
1 Tbsp shaved parmesan plus additional sprinkles for topping, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a large saucepan and a little olive oil, caramelize the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and brown sugar.
2. Add the tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Season with salt & pepper.
3. Add the stock, simmer on low heat until very soft, at least 20 minutes. Add the basil and puree.
4. Add crushed red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese. Check for seasoning and enjoy!
Makes 6 1 1/2 cup servings
Nutritional information per serving:
STEP-BY-STEPS:
1. Caramelize your onions through brown sugar.
You know they are slightly caramelized when you see them brown slightly.
2. While your vegetables are caramelizing, chop your tomatoes.
3. Add your tomatoes plus a little salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer.
Stir in your broth and allow to simmer for at least 20 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
4. Stir in your basil.
5. Use your Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender to puree your soup.
I LOVE THIS Hand Blender because it’s easy to use, powerful to puree, yet, not splash all over the place (like the cheaper versions) and you don’t need to pour your hot soup in a blender (spilling it along the way). It’s my FAVORITE go to gadget any time I am trying to make a creamy, rich pureed soup. You can find the one I use in My Open Sky Shop. (HINT ~ solve the Jigsaw puzzle on My Open Sky Tab and get 15% off your order) 😀
30 seconds later ~ tadah!!! Creamy, rich, CREAMLESS Fresh Tomato Basil Soup.
Add a little fresh parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes for good measure.
This soup definitely gets better the longer it sits and it freezes well too.
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Enjoy!
janetha says
how did you know tomato was my favorite?! such a low cal soup.. most tomato soups are so full of fat. definitely keeping this one 🙂
Naomi (onefitfoodie) says
OMG so so so good! I don’t even know if I would mix it, I love tomato soup when its nice thick and chunky! BUT I do love my hand blender! thank you for the recipe I am SO making this…with grilled cheeseeeee
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) says
Great recipe!
xo
K
Health Article Topics says
This is a great recipe for the soup. My children love it when I put the ingredients together. I will definetly try this recipe you have provided. It looks lovely.
BroccoliHut says
Gotta love any recipe that requires a hand blender–I’m always looking for an excuse to use my red Kitchen Aid one:)
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
This sounds absolutely delicious with some nice crusty grilled cheese! Best combo ever!
Cyndi Beane Henry says
I absolutely LOVE tomato soup! I can’t wait to make this!!!!
Jessica Lee says
I love your step by step recipes. They’re so easy to follow!
Christina says
Wow! I was just searching for a Tomatoe Basil soup, when yours came up! Then I read where you had this soup, “42nd Parallel” in Michigan, to be more precise, Suttons Bay, Michigan! I am from there!!! What a hoot! and now I will serve this “knowing” it is good!!
Thanks so much for enjoying your soup in Suttons Bay, and sharing!
Christina