Making creamy tomato soup is a delightful process. Follow these simple steps to create this flavorful dish:

1. Heat Olive Oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté Onions: Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 5-7 minutes).
3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add Tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, and stir well to combine.
5. Pour Vegetable Broth: Add the vegetable or chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
7. Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender (or a regular blender) to purée the soup until smooth.
8. Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, sugar, dried basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Heat through for 5 more minutes.
9. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Through these steps, you’ll produce a wonderfully rich and flavorful creamy tomato soup that will impress anyone who tries it!