Barefoot Contessa’s Sun-Kissed Tomato Soup Recipe to Savor

When summer’s bounty overflows with ripe tomatoes, a classic Barefoot Contessa cream of fresh tomato soup recipe becomes pure culinary magic.

Vibrant red tomatoes burst with sweetness, waiting to be transformed into a silky, comforting dish.

Garden-fresh ingredients dance together, creating layers of rich flavor that sing with every spoonful.

The soup captures the essence of seasonal cooking, blending simplicity with elegant technique.

Smooth and velvety, this recipe promises a delightful experience that elevates home cooking to an art form.

fresh herbs and cream meld perfectly, creating a luxurious texture that feels both rustic and refined.

You’ll fall in love with this timeless soup that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and developing deep flavor profiles.
• Onions: Delivers sweet, aromatic base that creates depth and complexity in the soup's overall taste.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and contributes subtle earthy undertones to the soup's foundation.
• Garlic: Introduces robust, pungent flavor that elevates the entire soup's taste experience.

• Tomatoes: Fresh, ripe tomatoes guarantee vibrant color and authentic, bright taste with maximum nutritional value.
• Tomato Purée: Concentrates tomato essence, creating intense, robust flavor and smooth texture.
• Chicken Stock: Provides rich, savory liquid base that intensifies the soup's overall depth and complexity.
• Basil: Delivers fresh, herbaceous notes that complement tomato's natural sweetness and add aromatic dimension.

• Caster Sugar: Balances tomatoes' acidity and enhances natural sweetness with subtle refinement.
• Double Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and adds rich, smooth mouthfeel to the soup.
• Sea Salt: Elevates and harmonizes all flavor profiles, bringing ingredients into perfect culinary balance.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and subtle spiciness that awakens the palate.

Tools & Pots You’ll Need for Tomato Soup

• Large, heavy-bottomed pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup without burning.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for chopping onions, carrots, and fresh basil with precision.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing vegetables safely.
• Food mill or blender: Crucial for creating smooth, creamy soup texture.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup neatly into bowls.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Cozy Instructions for Creamy Tomato Soup

• Vegetable Foundation

Begin by warming olive oil in a spacious, sturdy pot. Softly cook onions and carrots until they become translucent and tender. Add minced garlic for an extra layer of warmth and depth, letting its aroma fill the kitchen.

• Tomato Symphony

Pour in ripe chopped tomatoes, a touch of sweetness from caster sugar, rich tomato purée, fragrant basil, and comforting chicken stock. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and tomatoes to break down into a silky texture.

• Creamy Transformation

Introduce velvety double cream, stirring gently to create a luxurious consistency. Carefully transform the soup into a smooth blend using a food mill or immersion blender, ensuring a silky, elegant finish.

• Final Flourish

Warm the soup to serving temperature. Ladle into beautiful bowls, adorning with delicate fresh basil ribbons and crispy croutons for a delightful textural contrast. Serve immediately, inviting friends and family to savor this comforting classic.

Tomato Soup Tips, Twists & Comfort Ideas

• Kick up heat by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper during sautéing for extra warmth and complexity.
• Swap double cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use half-and-half for a lighter consistency that still maintains rich texture.
• Enhance depth by roasting fresh tomatoes in the oven before adding to the soup, which intensifies their natural sweetness and creates a more robust flavor profile.
• Experiment with different fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, or parsley to complement the basil and create unique aromatic variations that suit your taste preferences.
• Create a chunkier soup by reserving some chopped tomatoes to add after blending, or incorporate diced roasted vegetables for additional substance and interesting mouthfeel.

How to Serve Cream of Tomato Soup Warm & Fresh

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve this velvety tomato soup alongside thick slices of rustic sourdough or fresh baguette for dipping and soaking up every last drop of rich, creamy goodness.
• Create a Comforting Meal: Transform this soup into a complete dinner by adding a light side salad with mixed greens, crisp vegetables, and a zesty vinaigrette for balanced nutrition and refreshing contrast.
• Enhance with Cheese Topping: Sprinkle grated parmesan, crumbled goat cheese, or a dollop of fresh ricotta on top to add depth, creaminess, and an extra layer of savory flavor that complements the tomato's natural sweetness.
• Elegant Appetizer Option: Serve small portions in espresso cups or shot glasses for an sophisticated starter at dinner parties, garnishing with a delicate basil leaf for an impressive presentation that will delight guests.

Freezing & Saving Leftovers – Tomato Soup Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to maintain fresh flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating on the stovetop.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients in advance for quick assembly. The soup base can be prepared earlier in the day and reheated just before serving.
• Revive Leftover Soup: When reheating, stir frequently and add a splash of chicken stock to restore original creamy consistency. Avoid boiling to prevent cream from separating.

Vibrant Barefoot Contessa Cream Of Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cream of fresh tomato soup offers a luxurious blend of ripe tomatoes and rich cream. Garden-fresh ingredients and simple techniques create a comforting classic that delights home cooks with its elegant simplicity.

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Ingredients

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• 1.8 kg (64 oz) vine-ripened tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 700 ml (23.7 fl oz) chicken stock
• 180 ml (6 fl oz) double cream
• 1½ cups (225 g) chopped red onions
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) good olive oil
• 2 carrots, unpeeled and chopped
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato purée
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) minced garlic
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sea salt
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh basil
• 1½ tsps caster sugar
• 2 tsps freshly ground black pepper
• Croutons, to serve (optional)
• Basil leaves, finely sliced (julienned), for garnish

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium flame. Gently caramelize diced onions and carrots for 10 minutes, stirring periodically to develop rich, sweet undertones.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until its pungent fragrance permeates the vegetable base, enhancing the soup’s depth of flavor.
3. Liquid Composition: Combine chopped tomatoes, sugar, tomato paste, basil leaves, chicken broth, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to integrate ingredients and create a harmonious liquid mixture.
4. Flavor Development: Simmer uncovered on low heat for 35-40 minutes, allowing tomatoes to break down completely and ingredients to meld into a cohesive, rich base.
5. Creamy Transformation: Remove from heat and incorporate heavy cream, blending until the soup achieves a silky, luxurious consistency using an immersion blender or standard blender.
6. Finishing Touches: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to balance flavors. Serve in warmed bowls, garnishing with delicate basil ribbons and optional crispy croutons for textural contrast.

Notes

• Caramelize Vegetables Slowly: Take time to gently cook onions and carrots, developing deep, sweet flavor foundations that enhance the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Handle Hot Liquid Safely: When blending hot soup, use extreme caution to prevent potential burns, always securing blender lid with a towel and blending in small batches.
• Balance Sweetness Strategically: The added sugar helps neutralize tomatoes’ natural acidity, creating a more rounded and harmonious flavor without making the soup overly sweet.
• Texture is Key: Blend thoroughly for a silky-smooth consistency, ensuring no vegetable chunks disrupt the soup’s elegant, creamy presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg