Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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Enjoy a creamy, luxurious tomato basil soup without the guilt! There is no cream, sugar, or any unnecessary additives in my Tomato Basil Soup! Plus, the secret ingredient makes this soup so so good!

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1)

What you WON’T find in this homemade tomato soup is a bunch of cream or sugar.

I haven’t been able to get this creamy, luxurious, sweet, and comforting soup out of my mind for weeks. Tomatoes are still hanging around my farmers market, and I’m taking advantage! I can’t wait to make tons of salads, soups, and other goodies with them before we go into the deep freeze of winter.

If you’ve been following LSJ since the beginning, you know I’ve done a tomato basil bisque in the past. My ashamed self is admitting to you that I had to put cream in it to make it taste as good as it did last time. In my defense, I did make that soup when the fresh tomatoes weren’t quite at their best. Which meant less natural flavor and that means I needed extra herbs to help make the tomato flavor a little noticeable. But never, ever, ever again.

I can’t wait to make a big batch of this every week to have on hand for lunches and midday snacks. Yes, tomato soup is perfect with a little bit of grilled cheese, cheesy croutons, or a hunk of no knead crusty bread when you need a little something to nibble on. Not to mention that it’s exactly what you need if you’ve caught the early fall sniffles.

You will undoubtedly sleep like a 5-month-old baby if you’ve got a belly full of this soup in you. And it’s perfect to meal prep and keep in the refrigerator for weekday lunches.

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)

What makes my secret ingredient tomato basil soup so unique?

One thing that I forgot to mention is that not only is there a secret ingredient in my tomato basil soup, there is also a secret method. The thing about this soup is that the longer you roast the Roma tomatoes, the more sinfully delicious the pot of soup will be. Take your time, enjoy the process. Massage those tomatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic with some olive oil and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper and pop them in the oven on a low heat setting for one hour. The slow baking process helps to caramelize the veggies a bit on the outside and develops more flavor in the tomatoes and brings out its natural sweetness. They’re wrinkle and cute and loaded with so much flavor when you pull that tray out of the oven. Bonus: your house is gonna smell like a Tuscan tomato field! There’s also zero sugar in my tomato basil soup. Only the natural sweetness from the slow roasting process and the carrots that are going into this soup.

Now, go. Use that hour to its full advantage. Me? –>I popped in a quick Gillian Michaels workout DVD that I hadn’t done in ages and within 10 minutes I was screaming bloody murder because I couldn’t feel any of my limbs. I spent the following 50 minutes cursing Gillian under my breath and vowing to use this DVD sparingly.Homegirl. I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of people, but your beginners level DVD is not for BEGINNERS.

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)

So what’s so secret about secret ingredient tomato basil soup?

The secret to making delicious tomato basil soup or even minestrone is simple. It’s something you’ve already had. It’s something that goes hand in hand when you think of tomatoes and cheese

And..

The Secret Ingredient is… BASIL PESTO!

That super concentrated flavor of basil pesto makes this tomato basil soup NEXT LEVEL STUFF. The pine nuts and parmesan cheese from the pesto addsuch nice depth and creaminess that you’ll forget about adding that heavy cream or half and half in and opt for this more flavorful/ healthier option instead.

The parmesan in the pesto also adds just the right amount of cheesiness to the soup without overpowering it.

This tomato basil soup is exactly what you need to cure that cold that’s starting to come on from the weather changing so rapidly. And it’s perfect for the fall! Imagine a chilly evening complete with a warm blankie, comforting tomato basil soup, and a grilled cheese sandwich to dip, dunk and munch on. For the colder months, the grilled cheese is a MUST. For summer, I served this soup with cheesy toasts. It’s just a bit of provolone on a slice of baguette with a pinch of salt, garlic powder, and a bit of Italian seasoning.

So simple and SO YUMMY.

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)
Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)

What else do you need to make secret ingredient tomato basil soup?

The ingredient list is short, but the flavors are huge!

  • Tomatoes (lots of them!)
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Vegetable broth or Chicken Broth
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Kosher salt and pepper
Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

How to make secret ingredient tomato basil soup:

The first step in making the best homemade tomato basil soup recipe is roasting the Roma or plum tomatoes, onions, carrots, and garlic on a large baking sheet with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Once you’ve done that, it’s as simple as adding the ingredients to a blender and blending them with some of your stock until it’s smooth. Keep in mind that if you’ve got a powerful blender like a Vitamixor a Blendtec, it’ll puree your soup up nicely! If you have a traditional blender, it may take a little longer so you may want to do it in several batches. Once blended, you’ll add all the remaining ingredients to the soup pot and then bring it to a full simmer before serving.

This process can be even simpler if you’ve got an immersion blender.I made this purchase a few years ago, and it has made life so much simpler. If you’ve got one too, you can add the roasted veggies right into the dutch oven pot along with all the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Then let it heat all the way through over medium low heat, and you’re ready to serve.

What if I follow a vegan diet, can I still make this tomato basil soup?

If you’re living a dairy-free or vegan lifestyle, you can still make this soup! There are tons of recipes on the internet for vegan pesto (where the parmesan is replaced with a hint of nutritional yeast), and most health food stores even sell vegan pesto! Just make that simple swap, and you’re good to go.

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

And that’s it!

Just ten simple ingredients in my from-scratch tomato basil soup recipe. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and you’re ready to serve. So many of you have already made and loved this recipe and –if you decide to give it a go too, I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🙂

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)
Original recipe posted Aug. 2015. Updated Oct. 2018 with new pictures and easier directions.

Yield: 8 servings

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy a creamy, luxurious tomato basil soup without the guilt! There is no cream, sugar, or any unnecessary additives in my Tomato Basil Soup! Plus, the secret ingredient makes this soup so so good!

Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (9)

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. tomatoes, (2 lbs. Roma, cut in half + 1lb. whole cherry, etc.)
  • 1 medium onion, cut into chunks
  • 6-10 garlic cloves
  • 3 large carrots, peeled + cut in half
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 4 cups vegetablestock (or chicken stock)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2-4 tablespoons homemade basil pesto

Instructions

  1. ROAST:Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Place the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots on one large baking sheet. It's okay if some of the ingredients are overlapping. Drizzle the olive oil along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and give it a good toss so it's all evenly seasoned. Place the baking tray in the oven and allow the ingredients to bake for 1 hour. Check on the ingredients around 30 minutes and give it a toss as needed.
  2. BLEND:Transfer the ingredients along with any juices from the baking tray to a blender and blend the veggies until they are completely smooth. If you've got a super powerful blender it will go in one batch and be super quick. If you've got a regular blender, you may need to add a little broth to help it along. If you've got a hand blender, you can skip this step and add all the remaining ingredients into a large pot and just blend it all there.
  3. SOUP:Transfer the puree into a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken broth and allow the soup to heat all the way through, about 5-7 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar andred pepper flakes. Add two tablespoons of the pesto and give the soup a taste. If desired, add more. I used 4 in total because I love a little extra punch of basil. Season with additional salt and pepp as desired. Serve with cheese toasts.

Notes

  • VEGAN: If you follow a vegan diet, you'll want to replace the pesto with vegan basil pesto. You can make your own or use a store-bought pesto for this!
  • TO MAKE THE CHEESE TOASTS: On slices of baguette, place sliced provolone cheese, top with a sprinkle of salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Bake in a 400ºF oven for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

~ 1 cup

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 137Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 391mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. For more accurate nutritional facts, plug the recipe into a nutrition calculator.

Have you made this recipe?

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Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (10)

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Secret Ingredient Tomato Basil Soup (No Cream) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for heavy cream in tomato soup? ›

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

How to spice up tomato basil soup? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

How do you deepen tomato soup flavor? ›

Garlic: Fresh or powdered garlic adds a robust, savory flavor to tomato sauce. You can sauté minced garlic in a bit of olive oil before adding the canned sauce to release its flavors. Onion: Chopped or minced onions, whether white or red, can provide a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

How do you thicken tomato soup without cream? ›

One of the simplest ways to thicken tomato soup is by adding a starchy ingredient, such as potatoes or rice. You can cook the potatoes or rice separately and add them to the soup, either mashed or whole. Both potatoes and rice contain starch, which will help thicken the soup without adding any additional ingredients.

What is the best substitute for cream in soup? ›

The Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
  1. Half-and-Half and Butter. A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. ...
  2. Milk and Butter. ...
  3. Evaporated Milk. ...
  4. Coconut Cream. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Greek Yogurt and Milk. ...
  7. Soy Milk and Olive Oil.
Mar 30, 2022

What can I use instead of cream in soup? ›

Nut or seed butters: Such as cashew or tahini, can be blended with broth or water to make a creamy base for soups. Silken tofu: Blended silken tofu can be added to soups for a creamy texture. Pureed vegetables: Such as potatoes, cauliflower, or squash can be added to soups to thicken and add creaminess.

How to make jar tomato basil sauce better? ›

7 Ways to Improve the Taste of Jar Pasta Sauce
  1. Sautee Some Veggies. The first step to making your jar sauce better is to sautee some garlic in olive oil on your stovetop. ...
  2. Mix in Some Meat. ...
  3. Add a Splash of Red Wine. ...
  4. Spice It Up. ...
  5. Get Cheesy. ...
  6. Stir in More Dairy. ...
  7. Pop It in the Oven.

What spices go with tomato basil? ›

Basil is the number one herb for tomatoes, but other herbs compliment tomatoes as well: bay, chives, dill, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon and thyme. Use them by themselves or in combination with tomatoes.

How to jazz up tomato soup? ›

Swirl some red wine vinegar into the soup and serve with a stack of mozzarella and fresh basil leaves on a toasted baguette. Add a drizzle of pesto (homemade or store bought) and finish with toasted pine nuts and croutons. Add a teaspoon or two of Thai red curry paste and some cooked rice, then top with cooked shrimp.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it more flavorful? ›

Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper and let sit on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Pour into bowls and top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

This tip comes from food science. Add a small spoonful of sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Season with salt in all of the steps (starting with the sauteed onions). This ensures your tomato soup is never bland.

What makes tomato soup taste better? ›

Ingredients that make canned tomato soup better
  1. 2 tablespoon butter.
  2. 1 clove minced garlic. I like fresh, but you could use about 1 teaspoon of jarred in a pinch.
  3. A can of condensed tomato soup. ...
  4. ½ can heavy cream, and ½ can 2% milk. ...
  5. Fresh basil. ...
  6. Fresh ground black pepper and sea salt, to balance out the flavors.
Jan 27, 2023

How can I thicken soup without cream or milk? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How do you make tomato basil soup thicker? ›

How to Thicken Tomato Soup
  1. Add cream. Dairy options high in fat will create a thick and creamy consistency in dishes. ...
  2. Blend the soup. Purée the whole soup or just half of it to add thickness to the dish. ...
  3. Incorporate vegetables. ...
  4. Make a slurry. ...
  5. Reduce the soup. ...
  6. Top the soup with croutons.
Jan 21, 2022

Is tomato basil soup good for you? ›

Tomato Basil soup is super healthy. Not only is it low in calories and fat, it is really nutritious too. Tomatoes are a good source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Can I use regular milk instead of heavy cream in soup? ›

Cream and milk can be used as substitutes in soup recipes, but it will affect the texture and flavor of the soup. Milk is a thinner liquid than cream and is generally used to add a creamy texture to soups without the added fat content. It will also give a slightly tangy flavor to the soup.

Do you need heavy cream for soup? ›

For recipes like creamy soups, you could use heavy cream, heavy whipping cream, or whipping cream, depending on how rich you want the end result to be. Use whipping cream for something a little lighter, and heavy cream for the creamiest possible result.

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream in soup? ›

Sour Cream, Crème Fraîche, or Mascarpone

These three ingredients can be used in place of heavy cream with a one-to-one substitution with just a few caveats. Sour cream will add tanginess to your dish, and if you use it for soups or other hot dishes, it's best to add it in at the end to avoid curdling.

How do you thicken creamy tomato soup? ›

How to Thicken Tomato Soup
  1. Add cream. Dairy options high in fat will create a thick and creamy consistency in dishes. ...
  2. Blend the soup. Purée the whole soup or just half of it to add thickness to the dish. ...
  3. Incorporate vegetables. ...
  4. Make a slurry. ...
  5. Reduce the soup. ...
  6. Top the soup with croutons.
Jan 21, 2022

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