Garden-Fresh Tomato & Basil Soup
A comforting soup made with ripe tomatoes from City Floral's 2026 variety list, simmered with garden herbs for a taste of Colorado summer. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs ripe tomatoes, medium onion, medium 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 lbs ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Core 2 lbs ripe tomatoes and place cut-side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
- Step 2: Finely chop 1 medium onion, 1 medium carrot, and 2 celery stalks. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 8 minutes until softened, stirring frequently.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in roasted tomatoes with their juices and 4 cups broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to pot, stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garden-Fresh Tomato & Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Garden-Fresh 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 ripe tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garden-Fresh 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 Garden-Fresh 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 Garden-Fresh Tomato & Basil Soup?
American 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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
