Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons
A vibrant tomato soup infused with North African harissa and topped with golden garlic croutons that deliver a satisfying crunch. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, finely diced onion, minced garlic, harissa paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 lbs (900g) ripe plum tomatoes, cored and chopped tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 slice, cut into 1/4-inch cubes baguette
- 2 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 2 tbsp harissa paste and cook for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Step 3: Add 2 lbs chopped tomatoes and 3 cups chicken broth, bringing to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down.
- Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth, then return to low heat.
- Step 5: While soup simmers, toss 1 slice baguette cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Ladle soup into bowls and top with crispy garlic croutons before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy 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 medium, finely diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy 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 Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Loved the harissa kick! My kids even ate it without complaining. The croutons were perfectly crispy.
- ★★★★★
This soup is a new family favorite! The harissa gave it a lovely kick without being too spicy.
- ★★★★☆
The harissa-spiced tomato soup was great, but I thought it was slightly bland. The garlic croutons made it worth it though.
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