Creamy Tomato Soup with Buttery Croutons – Comfort in a Bowl

A bowl of creamy tomato soup with crunchy, buttery croutons is the most comfortable meal ever. This traditional recipe is flavourful, simple to prepare, and ideal for cold nights. This dish will quickly become a mainstay in your kitchen, regardless of your level of cooking experience.

Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoe
1 cup vegetable broth
½ cup heavy cream
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
Salt & pepper to taste

For the Buttery Croutons:
2 cups crusty bread, cubed
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt to taste

Utensils Needed:
Large pot
Blender or immersion blender
Baking sheet
Mixing bowl

Total Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Ten minutes for preparation
25 minutes for cooking

Directions
The Aromatics are sautéed:
In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Cook the onion for 3–4 minutes, or until it becomes transparent.  Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds.

Add the veggie broth:
And canned tomatoes (with juice) to simmer the tomatoes.  Season with salt, pepper, honey, and basil.  Simmer, stirring periodically, for 15 minutes.

Blend Until Smooth: 
Puree using an immersion blender or a blender alternatively.  Add heavy cream and boil for an additional two minutes.

Get the Buttery Croutons ready:
Turn the oven on to 375°F, or 190°C.  Add salt, parsley, garlic powder, and melted butter to the bread pieces.  Bake until golden and crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.

Serve and Savour:
Spoon the soup into bowls, sprinkle the croutons on top, and add the fresh basil as a garnish.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories     - 320 kcal
Carbs - 28g
Protein - 5g
Fat - 22g
Fiber - 4g

Last Tip: 
Before serving, toss in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan for added richness.  This recipe for creamy tomato soup goes well with grilled cheese sandwiches and is suitable for a weeknight comfort meal or a quick family dinner.