Description
This easy tomato soup recipe features a rich and creamy blend of sautéed bacon, onions, garlic, and carrots, simmered with crushed San Marzano tomatoes and chicken broth. Finished with fresh basil and optional heavy cream, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 slices bacon (chopped)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 medium yellow onions (roughly chopped, about 2 1/2 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 large carrot (peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 bunch fresh basil (divided)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 (28-oz.) cans crushed tomatoes (San Marzano preferred)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (no substitutes; optional)
Seasonings
- salt & cracked black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook bacon: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it is browned and the fat has rendered, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the roughly chopped onions, crushed garlic, and chopped carrot to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften and caramelize. Sprinkle the flour and Italian seasoning over the mixture and stir well to incorporate.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Submerge a large stalk of fresh basil in the soup, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes if you prefer a thicker soup, or cover with a lid if you want it thinner. This simmers the flavors together perfectly.
- Blend: Remove the pot from heat and allow the soup to cool for about 5 minutes. Discard the cooked basil stalk. Using a blender suitable for hot liquids, blend the soup in batches until smooth and creamy. If desired, stir in the heavy cream to add richness. Taste the soup and season with salt and cracked black pepper as needed. Serve garnished with chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of cream if you like.
Notes
- Use San Marzano tomatoes for a sweet and balanced flavor.
- Heavy cream is optional but recommended for a luscious texture; do not substitute.
- Blending in batches is important to safely handle the hot soup.
- Adjust thickness by simmering with or without the lid.
- Bacon fat adds a smoky depth, but you may omit bacon for a lighter vegetarian version (though note this changes the flavor).
