*CopyCat* Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

*CopyCat* Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This yummy, cream-based vegetarian tomato soup is a perfect copycat rendition of the tomato basil soup at a little place I came to love during my time in Dallas ((La Madeleine)). I first came across La Madeleine while getting my Master’s at SMU and thanks to it’s proximity to campus – not only did I get a Master’s degree, I also became very familiar with the taste their signature soup.

The real key to this hearty, creamy tomato basil soup is the balance between the acid of the tomatoes, the fresh sweet basil and cream. In order to achieve that balance, a slow simmer of a short list of ingredients is key.

Here is what you’ll need ::

  • canned crushed tomatoes
  • petite diced tomatoes with basil
  • tomato basil pasta sauce
  • fresh pesto
  • cream
  • cream cheese
  • Moscato wine
  • sugar
  • salt
  • pepper

Thanks to the addition of diced tomatoes, this soup is slightly chunky. If you prefer a smoother soup, just swap the diced tomatoes for another can of crushed tomatoes.

To prepare this soup, add tomatoes, sauce, wine and pesto in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Cooking this way allows the “canned tomato” flavor to disappear.

Next, add pesto, cream and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the soup up to a low simmer and add sugar to taste (I added not quite 2 tablespoons). 

Adding the cream cheese is a little complicated, but only because I was trying to avoid little clumps of cream cheese throughout the soup. Heres the trick, add 3 to 4 cups of hot soup to a glass bowl. Place the ((room temperature)) block of cream cheese in the bowl with the hot soup and stir vigorously until the cream cheese has completely melted into the soup. Then add the cream cheese soup mixture back to the pot of soup. Stir to combine and serve.

Even after all of the years that have passed since my days in Dallas, my tastebuds still recall just how delicious and comforting this soup is. Just one bite and I am right back in that bustling bistro, taking a break from working in the lab, studying for tests or just looking for a yummy bowl of my favorite tomato basil soup!

Copycat Tomato Basil Soup
Serves 15
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
1 hr 30 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
1 hr 30 min
209 calories
11 g
53 g
16 g
3 g
9 g
251 g
989 g
7 g
0 g
6 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
251g
Servings
15
Amount Per Serving
Calories 209
Calories from Fat 143
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g
25%
Saturated Fat 9g
47%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 53mg
18%
Sodium 989mg
41%
Total Carbohydrates 11g
4%
Dietary Fiber 2g
9%
Sugars 7g
Protein 3g
Vitamin A
16%
Vitamin C
26%
Calcium
9%
Iron
10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 3 - 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
  2. 1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes with basil*
  3. 2 - 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes with basil*
  4. 2 c tomato basil pasta sauce
  5. 10 oz Moscato wine
  6. 2 T fresh pesto
  7. 2 c cream
  8. 2 T sugar (to taste)
  9. 4 T salt (more or less to taste)
  10. 3 t pepper (more or less to taste)
  11. 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
Instructions
  1. Combine canned tomatoes, sauce & wine in a large soup pot. Simmer for 1 - 1.5 hours stirring occasionally. Add pesto & cream and salt pepper & sugar to taste. Continue simmering on low.
  2. In a medium glass bowl, combine 3 to 4 cups hot soup with the cream cheese. Stir until the cheese dissolves in the soup and no chunks remain.
  3. Add cream cheese/soup mixture back to the soup pot. Stir to combine, season one last time to taste and serve.
  4. Serve 15
Notes
  1. If you can't find basil seasoned tomatoes, basil, oregano & garlic will substitute.
beta
calories
209
fat
16g
protein
3g
carbs
11g
more
Food for a Year: https://foodforayear.com/