Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

I got this recipe from my friend Ann and then tweaked it quite a bit. It is as good as any soup you will eat in a restaurant. Everyone who tastes it wants more. It is that good! You can use prepared marinara sauce, or make your own.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

The Food Nanny

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 31/2 cups half-and-half
  • 11/2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes or 8 to 10 small vine-ripened tomatoes diced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • Coarse salt and ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook and stir for 5 minutes to slightly brown the mixture. Whisk in the broth.Increase the heat and cook and stir until thickened. Decrease the heat to low,stir in the half-and-half, and simmer for 20 minutes.

  2. Stir in the marinara sauce, tomatoes, and basil, and cook until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve as is chunky-style, orpuree in a food processor or blender if you prefer a smooth soup.