Smoky Roasted Tomato Basil (Printable Version)
A comforting blend of smoky roasted tomatoes and fresh basil finished with a hint of cream.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3.3 lbs ripe tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 large onion, quartered
03 - 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
04 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
→ Seasonings
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
08 - 1 tsp sea salt
→ Liquids
09 - 3 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
→ Herbs & Finishing
11 - 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
12 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or coconut cream (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat oven to 425°F.
02 - Place tomatoes cut side up, onion, garlic, and red bell pepper on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
03 - Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until tomatoes caramelize and vegetables soften, turning bell pepper halfway through.
04 - Let vegetables cool slightly, then peel the garlic cloves.
05 - Transfer roasted vegetables with their juices to a large pot. Add vegetable broth and balsamic vinegar.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes.
07 - Stir in fresh basil leaves. Use an immersion blender or countertop blender to purée soup until smooth.
08 - Incorporate heavy cream or coconut cream if desired. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Ladle soup hot into bowls, garnishing with extra basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky depth makes people think you spent hours cooking when it's genuinely effortless.
- Fresh basil swirled in at the end feels like a small luxury, transforming the whole bowl.
- It works as a starter that impresses or as a quiet lunch you don't need to feel guilty about.
02 -
- Roasting is essential here—boiling tomatoes instead creates something thin and forgettable, while roasting concentrates their sweetness and deepens their flavor into something almost savory.
- The smoked paprika isn't decoration; it's the backbone of why this tastes like comfort rather than just vegetables and broth.
03 -
- If fresh tomatoes aren't at their peak, use fire-roasted canned tomatoes and drain them before roasting—they'll still give you those caramelized edges.
- A tiny pinch of chipotle powder added at the end deepens the smokiness into something almost mysterious if you want to lean into that direction.