Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables
A velvety tomato soup where finely diced carrots and celery blend seamlessly into the base, revealing their presence only upon the final spoonful. This general-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, large, diced onion, finely diced carrots 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 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, finely diced carrots
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 finely diced carrots, and 2 finely diced celery stalks, cooking for 8 minutes until softened and onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 minced garlic clove and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 2 cups canned diced tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches. Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, cooking for 3 more minutes until warmed through.
- Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then ladle into bowls. The hidden vegetables will become apparent as you stir, revealing the soup's garden freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables?
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 Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables 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 Creamy Tomato Garden Soup with Hidden Vegetables?
General 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
- ★★★★★
My kids loved the hidden veggies! This became our weekly dinner staple.
- ★★★★★
Easy to make and the hidden vegetables are a great way to get my picky eater to eat healthy.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cold day, and the creaminess is just right.
