Oven-roasted tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil blended into a silky, restaurant-quality Italian soup.
# Ingredients List:
→ Roasted Vegetables
01 - 3.3 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 large yellow onion, quartered
03 - 6 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Soup Base
07 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
08 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for richness)
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
→ Garnish
11 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche (optional)
12 - Fresh basil leaves
13 - Croutons or toasted bread (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange halved tomatoes, onion quarters, and garlic cloves on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and onions are tender.
04 - Transfer roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices to a large pot. Add vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
05 - Stir in fresh basil leaves, butter, and sugar if using. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, blend in batches using a countertop blender, then return to the pot.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For a silkier texture, strain the soup through a fine sieve.
08 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, drizzled with cream and garnished with fresh basil leaves and croutons or toasted bread if desired.
