Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Begin by roasting the red bell peppers: place them on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are charred and easy to peel. Once done, let them cool, then peel and remove the seeds.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and diced potato, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
Add the roasted red peppers to the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potato is tender.
Remove the pot from heat, and using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can blend in batches using a standard blender, being careful with the hot liquid.)
Return the blended soup to low heat, add the heavy cream, and stir in the smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through but do not bring to a boil.
Once heated, serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
Keyword creamy, roasted red pepper, soup, vegetarian