Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons
A comforting tomato basil soup that uses half tomato puree and half vegetable broth for balanced flavor, topped with crunchy garlic croutons. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs tomato puree, vegetable broth, tablespoons olive oil 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 cups tomato puree
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup bread cubes
- 2 tablespoons butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic but not browned.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups tomato puree and 2 cups vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the soup. Stir and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Step 5: While the soup simmers, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup bread cubes and 1 minced garlic clove (optional for extra garlic) and toast for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crunchy.
- Step 6: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth directly in the pot, or carefully transfer to a blender in batches.
- Step 7: Serve the soup hot topped with the garlic croutons for texture contrast.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons?
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 tomato puree from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons?
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 Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons 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.
Is Half-and-Half Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
