I woke up this morning to blistering cold. Ok, maybe it wasn’t blistering, but it was dang cold… single digits. Way too cold for my blood. There are some positives to the cold weather. My boys like to snuggle up to mom more, they aren’t fans of the cold either, so our days have been spent mostly indoors the last few weeks. I get to wear sweaters and not get looked at strangely, and I get bake and cook more. Not like I really ever take a break from cooking in the summer, but it’s much more enjoyable walking into a house warmed by the oven (and a heater of course) when it’s 30 degrees outside vs. when it’s 90.
One of my favorite things to cook with this year is my crockpot. Not only is it easier to throw everything in and let it cook (My little guys love cooking too and it’s much easier to have them help put things in a cool crockpot then cooking on a hot stove), but it’s also makes the house smell great and it’s pretty to look at too! I couldn’t just buy the plain silver one ya know?!
Last week I had the opportunity to have some of my mommy friends over for a play date to try out some of Fisher Price’s Smart Stages toys. 
The kids loved playing and I had fun chatting and catching up with the moms. One of my favorite things about having parties is getting to make a bunch of yummy foods. Since the weather is getting cooler I thought it would be nice to serve a warm soup before everyone had to go home. Also, after playing with friends and having nice, warm soup in their bellies I knew the kids would be ready to take good long naps by the time they got home. Mine sure did.
I found this recipe for Tomato Basil soup from Creme de la Crumb that I had pinned awhile back and I knew it would be perfect! And perfect it was! I only had one bowl left after everyone left. I let my husband try it and he loved it, he finished the whole bowl in 2 minutes flat! He even asked for it again this week for dinner. The cream mixed with the tomato juices gives it a nice, rich flavor and the fresh basil is the icing on the cake, so to speak. I made a few changes from the original recipe the second time I made it and it tasted just as good as the first time. I have already been asked to make it again next week for my mother-in-law. This may become a weekly meal in our home! Try it out and you may feel the same way too!
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 cans 15 oz Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
- 1 can 8oz tomato sauce
- 4 cups tomato broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
- 4 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese shredded not the stuff in the green can
- For the roux:
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients for soup, except the cheese, in a crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Pour ingredients into blender (you may want to do 2 batches depending on the size of your blender) and pulse for 15-20 seconds.
- Add soup back to crockpot and add parmesan cheese.
- In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk to combine.
- Slowly whisk in heavy cream and stir until starts to thicken. Make sure to get out any lumps from the flour/butter.
- Add to soup and stir to combine.
- Cook for additional 30 minutes.
- Serve with rolls or baguettes and additional cheese to sprinkle on top.
I used my Blendtec for this soup and it made it so much easier. Pulse on 2 for 15 seconds and everything is nice and smooth. Right now Blendtec is offering their blenders at the lowest price ever! You may want to add one of these on your list to Santa 😉
I had considered making my own baguette but realized I wouldn’t have enough time the morning of the party so I decided to buy one instead. While at Walmart picking up other things for the party I found a bake at home baguette and it turned out great! Plus it was only $1.50… I’m all for easy, inexpensive alternatives when I am cooking for a group.
Do you have a party (or two) coming up this holiday season? Check back in two weeks for some tips on how to throw a great party on a budget and with little stress on yourself!
YUM! I love soup! I better give this one a try! 🙂
You definitely should Heather! It was a big hit with everyone who tried it!
Can’t wait to try out this recipe! Tomato Basil and French Onion are my two all-time favorite soups. This looks absolutely delicious. WIth all of the cold weather that has come our way lately, it will be the perfect meal to enjoy. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Pinned!
Mel @ Melly Moments (Blogging Mamas Group)
Thanks so much Mel! Oooh French Onion soup is so good! I may have to try that next! Thanks for pinning 🙂
Ooh yumm, I would love this with some grilled cheese sandwich 🙂 Reminds me of the tomato soup from Panera Bread. I bet it’s just as good! 🙂 Thanks Sydney!
Ah thank you Danica! I totally forgot about grilled cheese with tomato soup… Looks like I’ll have to make it again this week to try it with grilled cheese 😉
I’ve been using my slow cooker a lot lately, and this soup recipe looks too easy NOT to try! I found you through the Five Friday Finds link party. Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much Becca! It really is so easy and so good. Let me know what you think if you try it!
Your soup looks so good! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I think I ‘ll try making it. I pinned your delicious looking soup!!!
You are so sweet Kim! Thanks a bunch!!
Ooh, this looks delicious! I love crockpot meals and a good tomato soup, I cannot wait to try out this recipe! Thanks for sharing on #MomTimeThurs!
Thanks so much Bev! Hope you are having a great week!
Again, another home run recipe! Will have to try this one too. Yum and just in time for the cold weather!
Thanks Kim! It really is the perfect cold weather meal! Thank you for your kind words!
I love tomato soup with a grill cheese. I am going to have to pin this recipe.
Thanks so much Ashley! I would love to hear how you like it if you try it!
Looks so good…. especially now that it is soooo cold outside!! Nothing better than warm soup on a cold day 🙂
I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by Gina!
ever since my pregnancy, I’ve been turned off by tomato soup…BUT…this with the basil and lighter color looks quite tasty. I may have to try tomato soup again wtih this recipe…thanks for sharing.
Happy Tickle my Tastebuds Tuesday
I know how you feel Karen… I have quite a few foods that I LOVED before having kids and after being pregnant they sound gross to me now. Let me know if you try the soup and like it!
YES!! So excited to try this, Sydney! I LOVE tomato soup, and my hubby does too, but he HATES chunks of tomatoes in it. This is sooo perfect with no chunks and sounds delish. Pinning!!! 🙂
Ah thank you so much Amanda!! This soup is definitely my favorite tomato soup, well really my favorite soup perios!
I made this recipe a couple of weeks ago (from the same blog, and blogged about it too lol) and OMG it’s soooo good!!! 😀 I’m craving it now, great pics 🙂
Great minds think alike Amanda! Thanks so much!!
This soup looks just splendid for a cold winter day! Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe with us – you’re featured this week on Five Friday Finds! I’m looking forward to what you share this week. 🙂
Thank you so much for featuring me CJ! Hope you have a great week!
This looks so yummy! Tomato soup is one of my favorite comfort foods. I can’t wait to try it!
~Meaghan
Thank you Meaghan! It is one of my favorite comfort foods too!
I’m a soup lover and this is a wonderful soup!!
Pinning
Thank you so much Winnie!
Hello gorgeous! I’m licking my lips right now, it looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see on Monday at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Happy Monday~Lou Lou Girls
Ah thank you so much!!
Mmmm. This soup looks yummy.
Thank you so much Judy!
Ohhhh I’ve made that before it is downright HEAVENLY!! 🙂
Seriously the best soup ever!
Is tomato broth the same as vegetable broth? Sorry, might seem like a dumb question
Hey Amanda! It’s not the exact same but you can definitely use vegetable broth in place of the tomato broth and it won’t affect the flavor. If I don’t have tomato broth, I’ve used chicken broth too and it tastes just as good!