Half & Half Tomato Basil Soup
A velvety tomato soup enriched with equal parts tomato puree and crushed tomatoes, simmered with fresh basil and a hint of cream. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ½ cup Tomato puree, ½ cup Crushed tomatoes, finely diced Yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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
- ½ cup Tomato puree
- ½ cup Crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup, finely diced Yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 cups Vegetable broth
- ¼ cup, chopped Fresh basil
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and golden, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in ½ cup tomato puree and ½ cup crushed tomatoes, then cook for 3 minutes until the mixture thickens and the raw tomato flavor cooks off.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld.
- Step 5: Stir in ¼ cup chopped fresh basil and cook for 2 more minutes until basil is wilted and aromatic.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream until fully incorporated, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half & Half Tomato Basil Soup 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 & Half 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 ½ cup tomato puree from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half & Half 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 & Half 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.
Is Half & Half Tomato Basil Soup 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
