Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Don’t rush—your kitchen deserves a little aroma therapy.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. No burning the garlic—smell it, not a smoke alarm moment.
Stir in crushed tomatoes and broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it bubble softly for 10 minutes.
Blend until smooth using an immersion blender or a countertop blender. If you like a chunkier texture, leave a few tomato bits alone. Your call.
Stir in cream and chopped basil. Simmer 5 more minutes to meld flavors. Taste and season with salt, pepper, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes if you want a zing.
Serve hot, garnished with extra basil. Optional: drizzle of extra cream or a dollop of sour cream for extra velvety vibes.