Herb-Infused Tomato and Basil Soup with Crispy Sage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

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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.

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