Description
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Popcorn Croutons is a rich, velvety soup infused with fresh basil and topped with buttery popcorn croutons for a fun, crunchy twist. It’s a cozy, vegetarian-friendly dish perfect for weeknight dinners or as a unique starter.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 3 cups prepared popcorn (lightly salted or plain)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (for coating popcorn)
- 1/2 tsp dried herbs (optional, for popcorn seasoning)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in fresh basil leaves, then use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth.
- Return to heat and stir in the cream. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of sugar if needed. Let it warm through.
- For the popcorn croutons, toss freshly popped popcorn with melted butter and optional dried herbs.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with a handful of popcorn croutons on top.
Notes
- Use coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Store soup separately from popcorn to maintain crunch.
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes for added depth of flavor.
- Blend in cream cheese for extra creaminess if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
