Best-Selling Tomato Basil Soup
A velvety tomato soup that's the 'best' ever due to slow-simmered tomatoes and a secret touch of fresh basil for unbeatable flavor. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes, large, finely diced onion, medium, finely diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 large, finely diced onion
- 1 medium, finely diced carrot
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery; cook for 8 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. Let cool slightly, then blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth.
- Step 5: Return soup to low heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until heated through (do not boil).
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with a sprinkle of remaining basil and crusty bread on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best-Selling Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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-Selling 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 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best-Selling 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-Selling Tomato Basil Soup 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.
What goes well with Best-Selling 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
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
