Description
A rich and comforting easy tomato soup made with crispy bacon, sautéed onions, garlic, and carrots, simmered with crushed San Marzano tomatoes and chicken broth, then blended smooth and finished with fresh basil and optional heavy cream for a velvety texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and roughly chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 bunch fresh basil, divided
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 (28-oz.) cans crushed tomatoes (San Marzano preferred)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (no substitutes; optional)
Instructions
- Cook bacon: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until browned and the fat has rendered out, which will add a savory base flavor to the soup.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the roughly chopped onions, crushed garlic, and chopped carrot to the pot. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the vegetables start to soften and caramelize, approximately 5-8 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and Italian seasoning, stirring well to incorporate and create a lightly thickened base.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, stirring thoroughly. Add a large stalk of fresh basil submerged in the soup to infuse flavor. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. Cook uncovered for a thicker consistency, or covered if you prefer it thinner.
- Blend: Allow the soup to cool for about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the cooked basil stalk. Blend the soup in batches in a blender designed for hot liquids until smooth and creamy. If desired, stir in heavy cream for richness. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Serve garnished with the remaining chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of cream if desired.
Notes
- San Marzano tomatoes are preferred for their sweet, rich flavor.
- Heavy cream adds richness but can be omitted for a lighter soup.
- Adjust the amount of broth to control soup thickness.
- Use caution when blending hot liquids; blend in batches and vent the blender lid slightly to avoid pressure buildup.
- Cook bacon until crispy for best texture and flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and omit bacon.
