Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage
A simple tomato soup with fresh basil and garlic, finished with a crispy sage garnish for aromatic depth and textural contrast. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and chopped ripe tomatoes, medium, finely diced onion, minced garlic 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 lbs, peeled and chopped ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, plus 10 leaves for garnish fresh basil
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 10 leaves sage leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to low heat to warm through.
- Step 4: While soup simmers, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and 5 sage leaves. Fry for 1 minute per side until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with remaining basil and crispy sage leaves.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage?
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 Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage?
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 Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage 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 Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.