Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Roasting the tomatoes first concentrates their sweetness so this soup needs no salt to taste rich and satisfying.
Sodium note
No added salt; flavor comes from roasting and fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds fresh Roma tomatoes, halved
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 5 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups no-salt-added vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Method
- 1
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss tomatoes, onion, and garlic with 2 tablespoons olive oil and black pepper on a sheet pan.
- 2
Roast 30 minutes, until tomatoes are collapsed and lightly charred at the edges.
- 3
Squeeze garlic from its skins and transfer everything to a blender with the broth, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
- 4
Blend until smooth, then pour into a pot and warm over medium heat.
- 5
Stir in cream if using and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then taste and finish with red pepper flakes.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and top with extra basil leaves.
Nutrition (estimated, per serving)
- Calories
- 190
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Sodium
- 35 mg
Nutrition and sodium information is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredients, brands, serving sizes and preparation methods. Always check the labels on the products you buy.
Substitutions
- Swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Use canned no-salt-added tomatoes if fresh aren't in season; roast them the same way.
- Fresh oregano or thyme can stand in for basil if that's what you have on hand.
Tips
- Roasting concentrates natural sugars, which is what replaces the need for salt here.
- Use very ripe tomatoes in summer, or canned no-salt-added whole tomatoes in winter, roasted the same way after draining.
- A swirl of cream mellows the acidity, but the soup is delicious dairy-free too.
New to cooking without salt? Start with our beginner guide and 25 ways to add flavor without salt.
