Battery Preconditioning Tomato Soup

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

A perfectly warmed, comforting tomato soup that's gently heated to optimal serving temperature, like a Tesla's battery before charging. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs olive oil, onion, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, finely chopped onion
• 1, grated carrot
• 2 stalks, finely diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 1 grated carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches).
5. Step 5: Return soup to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer for 3 minutes until warmed through but not boiling.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve hot.