Tomato, Basil, and Leek Soup

tomato leek soup
Laurence Mouton/Canopy/Getty Images
  • 40 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins,
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ratings (13)

By Jen Hoy

Updated 09/11/17

Tomato, basil, and leek soup is a classic regional Italian recipe. This fragrant, creamy soup is especially satisfying during late summer going into early fall when plum tomatoes are at their peak. For a heartier touch, break chunks of day-old sourdough bread into the soup when serving for what the Italians call “Pappa al Pomodoro”.

What You'll Need

  • 2 pounds tomatoes (plum, or 2 16-ounce cans of whole plum tomatoes with basil)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (sweet, chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 large carrot (chopped)
  • 1 potato (peeled and chopped into 1” chunks)
  • 1 quart broth (vegetable, or water)
  • 1 large leek (cut in half lengthwise and chopped in ¼” slices)
  • 2 cups basil (fresh)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Optional: extra virgin olive oil to serve

How to Make It

  1. If using fresh tomatoes, peel by cutting a small “x” on the tip, and dropping into boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, until the skin loosens easily. Crush tomatoes in a bowl so that no juices will be lost.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot and potato and cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes, broth, and a healthy pinch of sea salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes, until vegetables are very tender.
  1. While soup is cooking, wash chopped leeks thoroughly. Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a skillet. Sauté leeks over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until leeks are firm but tender. Set aside.
  2. After 25 minutes, add the basil leaves to the soup and remove from heat. Puree soup with a vertical wand blender until creamy.
  3. Add leeks and season to taste. Cook an additional 5 minutes before serving. If desired, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil when serving.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 238
Total Fat 6 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Unsaturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 422 mg
Carbohydrates 42 g
Dietary Fiber 14 g
Protein 11 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)