Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup Recipe

Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup is one of those recipes that feels extra comforting on a chilly day. It’s especially good when paired with my homemade cheesy garlic bread (recipe included below).

Roasting the tomatoes, red bell peppers, garlic, and onion brings out deep, rich flavor, and finishing the soup with fresh basil really ties everything together. Instead of heavy cream, this recipe uses a simple roux to create that silky, creamy texture! 🍅🌿🥣

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This is the kind of soup that fills your kitchen with the best smells and tastes even better the next day!

If you’re planning a full meal, this soup pairs well with a fresh salad. I love serving it alongside seasonal greens like the ones in my 51+ Fall Salad Ideas with Seasonal Vegetables & Fruits or 31+ Summer Salad Recipes with Seasonal Produce.

And if you’re a soup lover like me, you might also enjoy my 54+ Cozy Fall Soup Ideas with Seasonal Vegetables!

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Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup with Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

Tomato Soup with Fresh Tomatoes

A great Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup always starts with good tomatoes. In North America, tomatoes aren’t in season year-round, with peak season running from May through October.

So what happens when a craving for warm, comforting tomato soup hits in the middle of winter?

Freezing fresh tomatoes when they’re in season is a great option. You can also use a high-quality canned tomato. I personally like the Cento brand. Another option is greenhouse-grown tomatoes, which are available year-round and tend to have better flavor than standard off-season tomatoes!

The Ingredients

Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup

Tomatoes – Tomatoes are the foundation of this soup and provide its signature flavor. Roasting them concentrates their natural sweetness and helps balance the acidity, creating a richer, more rounded tomato base.

Red Bell Pepper – Red bell peppers add a subtle sweetness and depth that pairs beautifully with roasted tomatoes. Roasting softens them and enhances their natural flavor, giving the soup a slightly smoky undertone.

Yellow Onion – Onion adds savory balance and helps build the overall flavor of the soup. When roasted, it becomes mild and slightly sweet, which complements the tomatoes and peppers without overpowering them.

Garlic – Garlic brings warmth and aroma to the soup. Roasting it mellows the sharpness and gives the soup a deep, savory flavor that ties all the vegetables together.

Avocado Oil – Avocado oil is used for roasting because it has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. It helps the vegetables caramelize without burning and keeps the recipe light and clean-tasting.

Italian Seasoning – Italian seasoning adds a blend of dried herbs that enhances the roasted vegetables and complements the fresh basil added later. It gives the soup a well-rounded, herb-forward flavor without needing multiple individual spices.

Fine Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Salt enhances all of the flavors in the soup, while freshly cracked black pepper adds subtle warmth and depth. Seasoning in layers helps the soup taste balanced rather than flat.

Unsalted Butter – Butter is used to make the roux and adds richness to the soup. Using unsalted butter allows better control over the overall saltiness of the final dish.

All-Purpose Flour – Flour combines with the butter to create a light roux, which thickens the soup and gives it a smooth, silky texture without using heavy cream.

Chicken Bone Broth (or Vegetable Broth) – Broth adds body and savory flavor to the soup. Bone broth provides extra richness, while vegetable broth works well for a vegetarian version.

Red Pepper Flakes – Red pepper flakes add a gentle heat that balances the sweetness of the roasted vegetables. They’re optional, but highly recommended if you like a little warmth in your soup.

Fresh Basil – Fresh basil brings brightness and freshness that cuts through the richness of the roasted vegetables. Adding it toward the end keeps the flavor vibrant and aromatic.

Parmesan Cheese (Optional) – Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish when used as a garnish. It’s optional, but a little goes a long way in enhancing the overall flavor.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Baguette – A sturdy baguette holds up well to the garlic butter and cheese while still crisping nicely in the oven. Multigrain or sourdough both work great.

Salted Butter – Butter forms the base of the garlic spread and adds rich flavor to the bread. Using salted butter helps season the bread evenly.

Fresh Parsley – Parsley adds freshness and a subtle herbal note that brightens the garlic butter.

Garlic – Garlic is the star of the bread. Gently infusing it into melted butter creates a deeper, more balanced garlic flavor without harshness.

Cheese – Cheese adds creaminess and that irresistible melty factor. Muenster, gruyere, mozzarella, or colby jack all work well.

Salt & Black Pepper – A small pinch enhances the flavor of the bread and ties everything together.

Tips on How to Make Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Bread

Healthy Roasted Vegetables in the Oven

Roasting vegetables adds incredible flavor, but honestly, the smell alone makes it worth it. Within minutes, your kitchen will be filled with that rich, savory aroma. It’s heavenly!

Depending on their size, halve or quarter the tomatoes. Lightly smash and peel the garlic cloves. Halve, peel, and quarter the onion. Cut the bell peppers in half and remove the membranes and seeds (you can remove the stems too, although I left mine on).

Toss the vegetables with oil and seasonings, then roast them until soft and caramelized. You can mix everything together in a large bowl before transferring to a baking sheet, or just toss everything directly on the pan using your hands!

Best Oil for Roasting Vegetables: Cooking Oils and Smoke Points

If you’re unsure which oil to use for roasting, choosing one with a high smoke point is key. I used avocado oil for this recipe because it’s a healthy option and holds up well at higher temperatures.

If you want a deeper dive, I also recommend checking out this guide on choosing the best cooking oils and understanding smoke points.

How to Make a Roux for Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup

A roux is a simple mixture of equal parts fat and flour, cooked together to thicken soups and sauces. There are several types: light/blonde, brown, and dark, and for this soup, we’re making a light roux.

I like my tomato soup slightly thick, and the roux helps achieve that smooth, velvety texture. If you prefer a thinner soup, you can skip this step.

To make the roux, melt four tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in a quarter cup of flour and whisk constantly for three to five minutes, until the mixture bubbles and looks slightly puffy and frothy.

Finishing the Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup

Once the vegetables are roasted, add them directly to the pot with the roux. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth (homemade bone broth works great here), then add the fresh basil and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Let the soup simmer for about thirty minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Blend the soup directly in the pot using an immersion blender, or let it cool slightly and transfer it to a standing blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, then finish with fresh sliced basil and parmesan if desired.

And just like that, the Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup is ready to serve.

Preparing the Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe

This is the garlic bread method I’ve used for years, and it turns out delicious every time. Some people prefer making compound butter with softened butter, garlic, and parsley, which is great, but I love infusing melted butter with fresh garlic and parsley for extra flavor.

Melt four tablespoons of butter over medium heat, then add the minced garlic and parsley. Reduce the heat and let it steep for about five minutes.

Drizzle the garlic butter over the bread and spread evenly using a rubber spatula. For convenience, I used a pre-baked multigrain baguette from the bakery, but any bread you have on hand will work.

Since I first posted this recipe, I recently got into sourdough baking and tried making sourdough baguettes, and let’s just say I’ll need a big more practice with that! 😂

Lastly, add cheese, bake until golden and melty, and serve alongside the soup while everything is warm!

FAQ: Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup

I’d love to hear about your experience with this Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup recipe! I hope you love it as much as we do. It’s 100% a staple in our house!

Please leave a question or comment below, get in touch via email, and follow me on social media for even more recipes and cooking tips (linked below).

Watch the step-by-step process of how to make my Roasted Tomato Basil and Red Pepper Soup on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube! Please kindly save the video while you’re there. 🙏🏽😊

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Homemade Bone Broth [Chicken or Beef]

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