Half-Creamed Tomato Basil Soup
A vibrant tomato soup enriched with half-and-half cream and fresh basil, simmered gently to a velvety smooth finish. This french-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup half-and-half cream
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Remove the pot from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and velvety.
- Step 5: Return the pot to low heat and stir in 1 cup half-and-half cream and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Heat gently for 5 minutes without boiling to meld flavors.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving warm with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Creamed Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 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 Half-Creamed 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Creamed 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 Half-Creamed 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 Half-Creamed Tomato Basil Soup?
French 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.
