Tomato, Basil, and Leek Soup

By Jen Hoy

Updated 05/23/19

tomato leek soup
Laurence Mouton/Canopy/Getty Images
  • Total: 40 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
238 Calories
6g Fat
42g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 238
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 422mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 14g 49%
Protein 11g
Calcium 621mg 48%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds tomatoes (plum, or two 16-ounce cans of whole plum tomatoes with basil)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 large carrot (chopped)
  • 1 potato (peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks)
  • 1 quart broth (vegetable, or water)
  • 1 large leek (cut in half lengthwise and chopped in 1/4-inch slices)
  • 2 cups basil (fresh)
  • Sea salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground pepper (to taste)
  • Optional: extra-virgin olive oil (to serve)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. 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.

  3. Crush tomatoes in a bowl so that no juices will be lost.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. While soup is cooking, wash chopped leeks thoroughly.

  7. 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.

  8. After 25 minutes, add the basil leaves to the soup and remove from heat.

  9. Puree soup with a vertical wand blender until creamy.

  10. Add leeks and season to taste. Cook an additional 5 minutes before serving.

  11. If desired, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil when serving.

Tip

  • For a heartier touch, break chunks of day-old sourdough bread into the soup when serving for what the Italians call “Pappa al Pomodoro”.