Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This homemade version of the Nordstrom Cafe basil tomato soup is creamy and delicious. Ready in under one hour with simple ingredients.

If you ever visited one of the Nordstrom store cafes, chances are you have tried their incredible tomato soup. It is rich and slightly sweet, perfect for a quick lunch.

After making this soup in my own kitchen numerous times, I can say with confidence that my version is just as good, if not better than original.

What makes this version special is the streamlined process. This soup is ready fast, uses simple ingredients (mostly pantry staples) and the flavors layers make this soup taste you like spent hours making it.

Ingredients

• Canned tomatoes: To make this recipe accessible and easy, canned tomatoes are the best. I like to use one can of crushed tomatoes and one can of fire roasted tomatoes for added flavor.
• Onion: I like to use sweet onions for this recipe but feel free to use white onion is that is what you have on hand.
• Carrots: these are the secret to making the tomato soup balanced and not acidic. Carrots lend a great amount of sweetness without having to add sugar.
• Dried basil: We are leaning heavily into the flavors of basil. Cooking some dried basil with the onion and carrots, allows the herb to bloom and amplify its flavor.
• Broth: Use chicken broth or vegetable broth for best flavor.
• Fresh basil: Used a garnish, it is a must have to make this simple soup feel elevated and fresh.
• Cream: To finish the soup and enhance that creamy and silky texture that we all love.
• Olive oil: Used to sauté the veggies.
• Butter: Used in connection with the olive oil to sauté the veggies. It adds incredible flavor and aroma to the onions.

Tools you need to make tomato soup

If you want to keep this recipe streamlined to the max, use a heavy bottom pot such a dutch oven or a stainless steel soup pot that allows you to use an immersion blender.

If you don't have an immersion blender you will need a heavy bottom pot, a blender and a soup ladle to transfer the soup to the blender.

I recommend to to blend it in batches in low speed and allowing the steam to vent

Directions tips

Step 1: Sauté Veggies

Start with sautéing the onion in olive oil. I like to push the cooking as far as I can, almost to the point of caramelizing them. This will cut through the acidity of the tomatoes.

After the onions are very translucent and starting to caramelize, I add the butter and the carrots and let them soften. Lastly, add the dry basil and allow to bloom in the oil.

Step 2: Simmer the tomatoes

Add the tomatoes, broth and bring the soup to a boil.

Once it boils, reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 3: Blend the tomato soup

To get that velvety soup, you will need to blend it either with an immersion blender or a high-speed blender.

Be careful as the soup will be hot. If using a blender, remember to open the vent to release the steam. I recommend blending this soup in 2-3 batches at low speed.

After the soup is smooth, return to the pot add the heavy cream and get ready to serve.

Serving suggestions

This soup is hearty and filling but if you want the Nordstrom Cafe experience at home, you must serve this with a sourdough grilled cheese.

I use my homemade sourdough bread with a blend of cheddar and gruyere cheese to make the perfect grilled cheese.