Published: Nov 12, 2019 · Modified: May 16, 2024 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

Chunky Tomato Basil Soup

Name: Chunky Tomato Basil Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee; 2 tbsp garlic oil -OR- 2 tbsp olive oil + 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 cup green onion tops, chopped -OR- 1 cup sweet onion, chopped; 2 cups chicken broth (may sub vegetable broth); 1 (28 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes; 1 (28 oz) can fire roasted crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream (may sub 1 cup lactose-free half & half or 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk); 1 tsp sea salt; 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 cup basil, chopped; optional: parmesan and additional basil to top

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A cold weather classic in 30 minutes

Tomato soup is indisputably one of the best cold-weather comfort food dishes. Though there are many delicious adaptations, I'm rather partial to this Chunky Tomato Basil Soup. It combines pantry staple roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hearty splash of cream to create a simple and delicious classic that comes together in 30 minutes or less.

a pot of Chunky Tomato Basil Soup with extra basil on top

a quad of 4 images showing basil being swirled into a pot of tomato soup

What kind of tomatoes are best to use?

Though freshly roasted tomatoes are delicious in the peak of tomato season, cold months are not the ideal time to take advantage of them. Though I'm happy to cook with tomatoes year-round on a smaller scale, a dish like this Chunky Tomato Basil Soup, where tomatoes are the star, is best made with tomatoes at the highest peak of flavor.

The good news? Canned tomatoes are generally preserved at the peak of the season, ensuring that you get the most flavor in each can as possible. I prefer to use a combination of diced and crushed fire-roasted canned tomatoes for this recipe, though fire-roasted whole tomatoes make for an easy swap if you have an immersion blender to help break up the tomatoes.

bowls of Chunky Tomato Basil Soup with basil and parmesan topping on a wooden tray

a spoon resting in a bowl of Chunky Tomato Basil Soup

What tools do you need to make this recipe?

a cutting board
a chefs knife
a large soup pot or dutch oven
a wooden spoon for stirring
a soup ladle for serving

Are you looking for an upgrade to your kitchen tools or looking to replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and my pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

bowls of tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich on a white towel

Chunky Tomato Basil Soup topped with basil and parmesan in a white bowl with a spoon resting in the bowl

What to serve with this Chunky Tomato Basil Soup

If you're craving a little something extra to dip into this lovely soup, a classic grilled cheese sandwich or crunchy baguette are both obvious choices and can be made gluten-free, if needed. If you're feeling extra indulgent, these savory gluten-free Pumpkin Pasties (filled with pumpkin, sausage, herbs, gruyere, and cheddar) are especially delicious served with this soup.

Can I make this soup in advance?

Yes, absolutely! This soup is fantastic made in advance and reheated for several days. When stored properly in airtight containers in the refrigerator, this soup should keep for up to 4 days.

Reheating can be done in a soup pot on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. For smaller portions, reheat in a microwave-safe dish for 2 minutes, stir, and heat at additional 30-second intervals as needed.

Chunky Tomato Basil Soup in white soup bowls topped with parmesan and basil next to a grilled cheese sandwich

Chunky Tomato Basil Soup in white bowls with cheese sandwiches

A note for special diets

This Chunky Tomato Basil Soup is grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free and can easily be made friendly for Low-FODMAP, Paleo, Whole30, Vegetarian, and Vegan diets with a few easy swaps.

For Low-FODMAP diets, garlic-infused olive oil makes an easy swap for high-FODMAP garlic cloves. Green onions (top parts only) make a great swap for high-FODMAP sweet onions. Lactose-free swaps for the heavy cream are outlined in the section below.

For Paleo and Whole30 diets, you'll want to make sure you utilize a dairy-free alternative for the heavy cream (options below).

For Vegetarian diets, you'll want to use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth. For Vegan diets, you'll want to swap for vegetable broth and utilize a dairy-free alternative for the heavy cream (options below).

Lactose-free swaps:

I have yet to find a lactose-free heavy cream, but have had great success swapping the heavy cream in this recipe out for lactose-free half & half. You can also use lactose-free milk in a pinch but it won't be nearly as creamy. Butter is generally already very low-lactose, but if you are very sensitive ghee can be used instead.

Dairy-free swaps:

You can swap the heavy cream for unsweetened coconut milk and the butter for additional olive oil.