Classic tomato soup gets a fun makeover with the delicious addition of pesto! This smooth and creamy soup is amazing with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Once upon a time, there lived a food blogger named Sarah who was so obsessed with soup she literally started to float away from her over-consumption of soup.
Why did she eat so much soup? Because she lived in a frozen wasteland Wisconsin.
Okay, okay. I PROMISE I won’t whine too much about the freezy-freezing cold today. It IS November now and I do live in the polar vortex-part of the country, so I guess it makes sense that I’m currently freezing my butt off.
But still…it SNOWED the other morning! Honest, I saw it! It was all over the roofs of the cars. NOT. COOL.
Seriously, I don’t even think you want to be around me when we start getting highs in the sub-zeros. Which I know is slowly but surely coming soon…
I’ve just been drowning my sorrows in soup lately. Every day.
You should too. It helps, trust me. (even if you’re soaking up the sun on a 70F autumn day)
In which case, I hate you.
Kidding, KIDDING. I love all you guys! Even those living in the “tropics” who complain of temps below 65F.
In which case, I’ll just call you cray and move on.
‘Kay let’s talk about my latest soup love. Actually it’s nothing new—Tomato soup has ALWAYS been an all-time fav of mine. Which is kinda weird because I’m more the thick and chock-full-of-everything-under-the-sun soup gal.
Smooth and creamy soups? I’ll tolerate them. This soup? It wins the prize of my current favorite.
It’s life-changing to put it simply.
That’s a lot to say for an innocent little bowl of tomato soup. This stuff is the real deal, guys. It’s super-smooth, perfectly creamy, and omg about 100.5 billion times better than Campbells.
And PESTO guys. It has pesto swirled inside! You know how I feel about that green stuff. I heart it. 😀
P.S. I am in love with THIS particular kind of pesto. I bought a jar while I was doing a mammoth shopping spree in this adorable little pantry-style shop down in Arkansas. Artichoke lemon, you guys. It’s amazing.
I’ve kinda been dipping just about everything in it. 😉
Speaking of dipping, DO dip your grilled cheese in this soup! It’s just essential that wherever you have tomato soup you’ve gotta have grilled cheese close nearby.
I sadly didn’t have any bread on hand the last time I made this soup, and lemme just say that that was one sad day. I had to settle for saltine crackers. WAHHH.
Sooo I had to make this soup for like the 4th time this past weekend when I finally got around to getting bread just so’s I could make grilled cheese, just so I could dip ’em in this soup.
Sadness I tell ‘ya. 😉
Can I just say that your Monday lunchtime hour NEEDS this tomato soup like so badly?—Your grilled cheese is looking a little lonely over there. 😀
Creamy Pesto Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons prepared pesto
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Additional basil and shredded Parmesan cheese for topping optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high, bring crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, pesto, and garlic to a slow simmer.
- Stir in cream and basil and stir frequently until bubbly. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with additional basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
Pssssssst. Looking for a great grilled cheese? You must try THIS. —->
Annie @Maebells says
Yum! I love pesto in tomato soup!
Sarah says
It’s my new favorite, for sure! 😉
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Oh my! I LOVE tomato soup and yours sounds fantastic. I always add heavy cream to mine too! It makes the soup so rich and amazingly good.
It’s been super cold here too. There was actual frost on the ground this morning… Let’s whine together!
Sarah says
Right?! You just can’t leave the cream outta tomato soup—gotta live a little right? 😉 And UGH to frosting (not the food kind)! Sounds like you need a bowl of tomato soup too, Jen!
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon says
Tomato soup is my ultimate comfort food! This looks amazing 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks so much Lilli!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I LOVE tomato soup. When it comes to soup, I don’t care whether it’s creamy or chunky, or both, lol. I love them all! Looks SO good — definitely pinning!
Sarah says
Soup is soup right?! And pretty much any kind of soup is amazing. 😀 Thanks for the pin, Ashley!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Oh Tomato Soup, how do I love you? Let me just count the 9,872,291 ways. For you Miss Sarah, I literally LOL’d at the frozen wasteland comment. Spitting coffee at 5:00 a.m. is not a good look, let me tell you! xoxo Pinned!
Sarah says
Hahahaha!! I literally lol’d at the thought of you spitting coffee everywhere, Kristi!
Thanks for the pin, girl! 😉
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This soup looks so creamy and delicious, Sarah! I love the addition of pesto! Definitely a perfect bowl of comfort food to me!
Sarah says
Comfort food, indeed! I’m craving another bowl right now actually. 😉 Thanks Gayle!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Sarah, I love this version of tomato soup. I’m such a tomato soup addict. I’ve got to give the pesto a try. Mmm….pinned!
Have a wonderful Monday!
Sarah says
I think you would love this version, Melanie! LMK if you try it and thanks for the pin! 🙂
Cheryl says
SNOW?! For reals? Man, it was like 50 this morning when I ran and I was like I HAVE TO WEAR A JACKET?! NO.
Yeah….. but you guys are always complaining that it’s soooo hot in the summer when it’s like 80º, and we’re looking at you, sweat dripping through our eyelashes, from our 105º par-a-dise.
😀
But seriously, this soup looks soooo good. I am all about some tomato soup right now, and pesto makes everything the.. best.. o…
I was going to just say better, but why not dork it up apparently?
Sarah says
Haha! I’d take 50 degrees, really I would. 😀 And yeah, yeah I KNOW us Northerners are such babies when it comes to summer. LOL.
And you’re seriously going to love this soup, Cheryl! It’s definitely the best-o. 😉
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I totally get the soup love!!! I’m in Illinois – which isn’t quite as frigid as Wisconsin but I’m in Chicago for a large chunk of the winter and we have our moments! Soup is just the perfect cold weather meal. Heck, I even like it in warm weather! This tomato soup looks delicious!
Sarah says
Haha! Chicago can get pretty cold too! And I totally agree with you about soup in warm weather—couldn’t live without it! 😉
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
So I found out like a couple of weeks ago that Zupas Tomato Basil Soup is basically tomato soup with pesto in it. I am going to make it soon (well probably after all the holidays.) Can’t wait because it’s my favorite! This is making me hungry!
Sarah says
Whaa?! That’s news to me!
And yeah, you would totally love this soup, Amber! 😉
Manali @ CookWithManali says
this looks so creamy and delicious! Yum! and omg snow already? I am really not ready for winters still :(! Pinning this Sarah, beautiful pictures!
Sarah says
Thank you for pinning Manali, and for the photo love! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I have a deep love for tomato soup and yours looks like the ultimate comfort in a bowl! Perfect for warming up with since it’s been so cold here too. Love how creamy and delicious it looks and the pesto sounds perfect!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly!! I know you would adore this soup. 🙂
Danielle says
I can’t believe you already got some snow, that’s insane! This soup looks like the perfect way to get through snow days. So creamy too! Pinning this 🙂
Sarah says
I know right?! It’s crazy! 😉 Thanks for pinning, Danielle!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
This tomato soup looks delicious Sarah! It’s definitely too hot here in Australia for soup but I have saved the recipe to recreate for the cooler months. Great recipe!
Sarah says
I keep forgetting that you guys over there are in the thick of summer! Definitely save this recipe for when you get some cooler days! 😉
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
This is so perfect for the cooler weather… I could go for a big bowl right now… with one of those grilled cheeses, too! 😉
Sarah says
Thanks Jess! Tomato soup + grilled cheese = Heaven, fo’ sure! 🙂