This Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup is perfect for dipping grilled cheese or Italian bread! A very bright and flavorful soup perfect for the end of summer, with a combination of red pepper, fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and basil.

Tomato soup in a bowl topped with cream, olive oil, and basil.

Love a delicious vegetable soup? Try ourWhite Bean Lentil Soup, Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup with Sausage, or Creamy Potato and Onion Soup.

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Why This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines the freshest tomatoes with the delicious flavor of slow-roasted garlic. There is nothing quite like the smell of roasting tomatoes and garlic. On Sundays, I want my house to smell like this delicious soup or Authentic Italian Sunday Sauce.

Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup is a great side dish for dipping Italian Sausage Bread or to serve along with a classic Caesar salad with Traditional Caesar Dressing. Combine the freshest ingredients together for a flavorful and fragrant soup.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Tomatoes. Use the freshest tomatoes you can find. I used beef steak, roma tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes I found at the farmer's market. Using fresh tomatoes is key, similar to roasting fresh red peppers in Homemade Roasted Red Pepper Soup or fennel in Tuscan Fennel and White Bean Soup.
Broth. Chicken broth or vegetable broth works best, especially if it is a homemade stock.
Heavy Cream. Substitute coconut milk to make this dish vegetarian.
Garlic. Roasted garlic in aluminum foil will make for a delicious and delicately flavored soup while still being hearty and herbaceous.
Basil. Fresh only. You can't substitute dried herbs in this easy fresh tomato soup with homemade tomatoes.

*Please see the recipe card below for more information on the ingredients.

How to Make Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375℉. Chop the bottom of the garlic head. Place the garlic in aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil. Wrap it in the aluminum foil

Chopped assorted tomatoes on a cutting board.

Step 2: Chop all tomatoes into 1-2 inch pieces.

Chopped tomatoes, onions, red pepper, and garlic in aluminum foil on a baking sheet.

Step 3: Place the tomatoes, onions, and red pepper onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the garlic on the sheet alongside.

Roasting tomato, onion, and red pepper on a pan.

Step 4: Roast the tomatoes for 1 hour. While the tomatoes are roasting, place the pot on the stove and add the chicken broth. Warm the broth over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Remove the baking sheet from the oven when the tomatoes are fragrant and roasted.

Tomato and onions combined with chicken broth in a pot.

Step 5: Add the tomatoes, pepper, and onion to the pot. Rip up the basil and add it in. Open the garlic and use the aluminum foil to squeeze the contents of the garlic head into the pot.

Step 6: Use the immersion blender to thoroughly blend the soup together. Taste and season with more salt if necessary. Stir in the heavy cream.

Serve with parmesan cheese and Homemade Italian Parmesan Croutons for flavor. Top with extra basil for garnish. Serve it alongside Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters for dipping or an Italian grilled cheese like Gruyere Grilled CheeseorEggplant Caprese Grilled Cheese.

Looking for another classic vegetable soup recipe? Try our Licurdia (Calabrian Onion Soup), a traditional Italian soup!

Pro-Tips

The best way to get a delicate garlic flavor is to roast the garlic slowly in olive oil. It will give the soup a subtleflavor of garlic, making this dish perfectly balanced.
Fresh tomatoes are best. You can use whatever kind of tomatoes you can find, but the fresher the better.
Adding the basil at the end when you blend will give the soup a fresh and herb-forward flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What does roasting the garlic do vs. sautéing?

Roasting garlic will give you a more delicate flavor, whereas sautéing will give you a stronger flavor. The roasted garlic will also squeeze out in a paste, making it really easy to blend.

What tomatoes can you use in tomato soup?

You can use canned plum tomatoes, but the best option is the freshest tomatoes you can find, whatever they will be. I like to use Roma and cherry tomatoes.

What if I don't have an immersion blender?

You can use a regular blender or food processor to blend the soup.