Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons
A vibrant, simmered tomato soup with a herby kick, topped with golden garlic croutons. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs tomatoes, canned crushed, onion, finely diced, garlic, minced 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
- 28 oz tomatoes, canned crushed
- 1 cup onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup baguette slices
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Step 2: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1/4 cup chopped basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cook for 2 more minutes until warmed through. Meanwhile, toss 1 cup baguette slices with 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbsp olive oil. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve soup topped with garlic croutons.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tomatoes, canned crushed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bay Area Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
