Genuine Slow-Cooked Tomato & Basil Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful tomato soup made from scratch with slow-simmered San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil, embodying true Italian simplicity. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs crushed San Marzano tomatoes, medium, finely diced Onion, medium, grated Carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes until softened but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable stock, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup fresh basil. Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth (or transfer to blender in batches). Return to low heat for 5 minutes to reheat gently.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Genuine Slow-Cooked Tomato & Basil Soup take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked 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 crushed san marzano tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Genuine Slow-Cooked 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked 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 Genuine Slow-Cooked 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.

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