Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup
A rich, deeply flavored tomato soup that's the best ever for chilly days, featuring fresh basil and a hint of cream. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs (14 oz cans) diced tomatoes, (finely diced) onion, (minced) garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, 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 (14 oz cans) diced tomatoes
- 1 (finely diced) onion
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add diced tomatoes (with juice) and chicken broth.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and blend soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in fresh basil, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper, then return to low heat for 2 minutes until warmed through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup 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 Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup?
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 (14 oz cans) diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup?
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 Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
What goes well with Best-Ever Tomato Basil Soup?
Italian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to soups dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
