Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (Applebee's Copycat) + Video (2024)

This tomato basil soup recipe makes a filling, comforting, creamy soup from scratch. Make this Applebee’s copycat recipe in only 30 minutes!

This homemade soup tastes even better than the restaurant version, and is the perfect comfort food for cold winter months.

Full of fresh basil, herbs, and a hint of garlic, it’s sure to be devoured by kids and adults alike.

Pair it with a serving of Olive Garden Copycat Salad to make a delicious lunch combo.

Or make Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheddar Soup for a hearty alternative that’s loaded with veggies.

For another delicious Applebee’s copycat recipe, try my Spicy Queso Blanco. It combines two different kinds of cheese with fresh herbs and just enough heat to make your tongue tingle.

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Tomato basil soup recipe notes

  • Seasoning is important

Because ingredients range in flavor, always taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

You may find that the soup needs more sweetness or acidity for balance, or maybe the flavor from the herbs isn’t strong enough.

  • Adjusting the texture

Pureeing the soup makes for a smooth, creamy finish. But, if you don’t mind little pieces of onion in the soup, you can skip this step entirely.

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Ingredient notes and substitutions

  • Chicken broth – If you use low-sodium or unsalted chicken broth, you may need to add more salt at the end. You can also substitute vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
  • Heavy cream – Replace with half-and-half if needed.
  • Sugar – Adjust the amount of sugar based on how sweet you like your soup. Some brands of canned tomatoes have higher acidity than others, so you may need a little more sugar to balance the flavor as well.
  • Basil – While using fresh basil will give you the best flavor, you can also use the kind that comes in a squeeze tube from the produce section. Or use dried basil, but reduce the amount by at least half.
  • Parmesan – Buy a fresh wedge and grate it yourself. The texture found in packaged shreds is much different, and it won’t melt into the soup the same way that fresh will.
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Serving suggestions
Garnish your homemade tomato basil soup with croutons, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich, somemac and cheese bombs, or slices of thick, crusty bread.

It would also be delicious with a side ofTexas Roadhouse rolls!

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FAQ: Recipe Questions

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

You can use fresh Roma tomatoes if you prefer them. However, it will require a bit of prep work first.

One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes equals 8 to 10 Roma tomatoes, or about 2 pounds. For this tomato basil soup recipe, you will need twice that amount.

  1. First, blanch the tomatoes– find instructions on how to do thathere.
  2. Peel, core, and dice the tomatoes.Then, use a potato masher to crush them.

Alternatively, you can pulse them in a food processor or high speed blender, just until they are chunky.

Can the soup be frozen?

Freezing soups that have milk or cream in themisn’t a good idea.Thawing and reheating the soupchanges the consistency, causing the cream to separate from the.rest of the soup.

Although it’s possible to recombine them as they warm up, the texture of the soup changes and is usually unpleasant.

However, if you want to make the tomato basil soup recipe ahead and freeze it to serve later, you can simply leave out the heavy cream. Then, stir it in after reheating the soup.

Before freezing the soup, allow it to cool before transferring it to jars or airtight containers. It may be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months.

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Reheating leftover tomato soup:

When you are ready to enjoy it, transfer the container of soup to the refrigerator so that it can thaw overnight.

Reheat it in a pan over medium heat on the stove. After it warms up, stir in the heavy cream and continue to cook on medium heat for another 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

With love from our simple kitchen to yours.

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RECIPE VIDEO

Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make this recipe!

Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (Applebee's Copycat) + Video (9)

Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (Applebee’s Copycat) + Video

Donna Elick

This tomato basil soup recipe makes a filling, comforting, creamy soup from scratch. Make this Applebee’s copycat recipe in only 30 minutes!

5 stars from 3 reviews

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Method Stovetop

Servings 6 – 8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 56 ounces crushed tomatoes, 2 28-ounce cans
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Garnish

  • Croutons
  • Fresh Basil
  • Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan heat olive oil over medium heat, then add chopped onion and saute until translucent, for about 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for one more minute while stirring constantly.

  • Add chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.

  • Puree with an immersion blender or transfer to a blender and puree.

  • Stir in heavy cream and herbs. Bring soup back to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes on low heat.

  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with croutons, basil, and grated parmesan cheese.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 228cal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 915mg | Sugar: 16g | Fiber: 5g | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 4mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Originally published March 2019, updated and republished October 2020

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Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (Applebee's Copycat) + Video (2024)

FAQs

What is tomato basil soup made of? ›

Tomato Basil Soup Ingredients

Tomato juice: Cook the diced tomatoes in four cups of tomato juice. Basil: You'll need 14 leaves of fresh basil. Cream: Heavy whipping cream creates a rich and creamy texture. Butter: A stick of butter adds to the richness and lends flavor.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

Why is tomato basil soup good for you? ›

Generous amounts of potassium contribute to well-functioning muscles, nerves, and a healthy blood pressure. Vitamin K in tomato soup is good for bones and supports blood clotting. Minerals like calcium and phosphorus in tomato soup play a role in bone formation and help maintain strong bones.

Does tomato basil soup raise blood sugar? ›

Add a source of protein, like tofu, to balance out the meal and slow down digestion. Include a variety of other vegetables in your soup to increase its nutrient content. Tomatoes have a low glycemic index, meaning they don't cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels.

Why is my tomato basil soup bitter? ›

When cooked for too long, herbs such as sage, oregano, and basil can release an overly bitter flavor, so it's best to incorporate them when the tomato sauce is almost done cooking.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

Garlic and onions make everything tastier! While the soup is cooking on the stove, sautee onions and garlic, adding them into the soup towards the end of cooking. Or for an aromatic that'll give a refreshing flavor, add chopped ginger into the soup while it's still cooking, stirring it in to blend the flavors together.

Why put sugar in tomato soup? ›

Adding sugar doesn't make this soup sweet; instead, it counteracts the acidity of the tomatoes and is essential for a balanced flavor. I use this trick in many tomato-based recipes, including my popular baked ziti!. Cream.

Is tomato soup better with milk or water? ›

When Made With Milk, Tomato Soup Should Be Rich And Creamy. Not all soups are created equal. A soup made with milk is usually richer and more luxurious than one made with just water or stock. This addition helps make the soup feel more comforting.

Do you take skin off tomatoes before making soup? ›

You will want to peel your tomatoes any time you're looking for a completely smooth texture – preparing a hot soup or stew or tomato sauce, for example. A lot of this comes down to preference, though. You do not need to peel your tomatoes if you don't mind the skins.

Which canned tomatoes are best for soup? ›

Crushed tomatoes walk the line between smooth purees and chunkier diced tomatoes. We use them in quick-cooking sauces and soups where their sweet, bright flavor can shine. Our highest-ranking crushed tomatoes were chunky, with relatively few pieces of unpleasant, plasticky skin left in.

Can you eat tomato soup straight from the can? ›

Our soups can be consumed cold, but whatever temperature you prefer, we agree with Alix that soup is elite—maybe even the new 'It Girl' of the pantry?” The high-heat canning process ensures that the contents remain safe (just avoid dented cans).

What to dip in tomato basil soup? ›

18 Must-Try Toppings for Your Tomato Soup
  1. Pretzels!
  2. Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® Crackers.
  3. Pumpkin Seeds.
  4. Croutons.
  5. Tortilla Strips.
  6. Cheese.
  7. Avocado.
  8. Sour Cream.

Is tomato basil soup bad for acid reflux? ›

Now there's another: it upsets your stomach and causes heartburn. Tomatoes and tomato-based sauces: Naturally acidic, tomato-based foods — which include ketchup, marinara sauce, and tomato-based soups — are not good for your stomach. Too much acid in your stomach may cause some to splash back into your esophagus.

Is tomato soup anti-inflammatory? ›

Tomatoes can be part of your overall produce intake because of their healthful nutrients and compounds, such as lycopene, beta carotene and vitamin C, all of which act as antioxidants and exert anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

What does tomato soup contain? ›

Traditional tomato soup

A simple tomato soup can be prepared simply with ingredients such as canned tomatoes/tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, vegetable broth or chicken broth and for the flavouring butter, salt and pepper or if required sugar can be used.

What goes with tomato basil soup? ›

Most often, Jack and I eat it with grilled cheese sandwiches, but it'd be great with a Caprese sandwich or avocado toast as well. If you're in the mood for something lighter, serve it with my Caesar salad, chopped salad, quinoa salad, or broccoli salad.

What is Panera tomato soup made of? ›

Detailed Ingredients

Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Puree, Citric Acid), Water, Heavy Cream, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Spices), Corn Starch, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic and Nisin Preparation.

What is in tomato basil seasoning? ›

Ingredients. Garlic, Tomato, Spices (Basil, Parsley, Sweet Chili Pepper, Paprika, Bay, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Savory, Cayenne Pepper, Coriander, Cumin, Mustard, Rosemary), Roasted Garlic, Fructose, Natural Tomato Flavor With Other Natural Flavors, Beet Juice Powder (Color), Citric Acid, Extractives of Basil.

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