I am a huge Cafe Zupas fan and have so many favorites. Along with my Copycat Zupas Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup I was equally excited to make and share this Copycat Zupas Tomato Basil Soup recipe! This soup is phenomenal. If there’s one thing I wish we would have grown this year in our garden, it would be basil. We just don’t seem to have good luck with some herbs and that is one of them. This recipe calls for a whole lot of basil and I happily obliged. The smell of fresh herbs is one of my favorite smells. The pesto base for this soup is rich, beautiful, and wonderfully aromatic.
What I love about being about to make your restaurant favorites at home is that not only can you control the ingredients, you know exactly what goes in to your food. There’s just something about being in control when it comes to what you eat. This tasty soup is made with delicious wholesome ingredients (made even better with the help of butter of course!). Just before serving I threw together a batch of homemade croutons to garnish, you’re welcome to add Parmesan crisps, Asiago cheese, or tortilla strips. This would also be fantastic with a grilled cheese sandwich. Beware, this recipe feeds a crowd – make this for your next dinner party!
Copycat Zupas Tomato Basil Soup
With this fantastic Copycat Zupas Tomato Basil Soup recipe you can have your favorite soup anytime you want without so much as stepping one foot outside. This recipe feeds a crowd, make this for your next dinner party!
Ingredients
Pesto
- 2 c. 4 oz. fresh basil
- 1 c. pine nuts
- 1 c. Parmesan cheese
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 1/2 c. olive oil
- 2 tsp. salt
Soup
- 6-7 stalks celery diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 1/2 c. butter
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 6 14.5 oz. cans stewed tomatoes, unseasoned
- 1 quart half & half
Instructions
For the pesto
-
Wash & dry your fresh basil. Add to a blender or food processor with pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic & olive oil. Blend until a smooth paste is formed.
For the soup
-
In a large stock pot, melt your butter. Add celery & onions, cook just until translucent. Add in dried oregano. Stir in pesto and tomatoes.
-
Transfer to your slow cooker and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6.
-
With an immersion blender, blend soup until creamy. Just before serving add in your half and half, mix well to combine.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from It's The Life
Copycat Zuppas Wisconsin Cauliflower // Tried and Tasty
Copycat Tony Romas Baked Potato Soup // Tried and Tasty
Copycat Chilis Chicken Enchilada Soup // Tried and Tasty
Cheesy Chicken Veggie Chowder // Tried and Tasty
Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken & White Bean Soup // Tried and Tasty
Creamless Tomato Soup // Tried and Tasty
Melissa Hinton
I made your soup with store bought pesto and that is the only thing I changed. I dodnt know how much to add so I put in 4 tablespoons which seemed like alot to me. The soup doesnt quite taste like Zupas. Is there anything anyone else has found that makes it just perfectly like Zupas? Any help would be great. Thanks!
Megan
Hi, would love to make this but want to check first—is it two cups of fresh basil, or 4 oz?
Luke
Great soup I would just add a cup or two less half and half
Aimee
My son and I recently visited Minneapolis. He fell in love with the tomato basil soup. I am looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you. Btw their strawberry salad is amazing.
Chantelle
I wonder what the time to cook would be if I made this in the pressure cooker. Or do you think it is better in the slow cooker?
Making this tonight for probably the third time since you posted it! I half the recipe for our family and it’s always a hit. Tastes just like Zupas. With a grilled cheese and some orzo I’m in soup heaven. Thanks for this recipe!
Yvonne
Angela, that is fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to let me know! I’m so glad you love it – one of my favorites for SURE!
Jacklyn
How much pesto does this recipe make? I would like to substitute store bought pesto for the fresh.
Yvonne
If I had to guess I would say 1 1/2 – 2 cups!
Nothing beats a good tomato soup!
Yvonne
I agree!