Herb-Infused Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons
A comforting bowl of smooth tomato soup layered with aromatic garlic croutons for texture and depth. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs diced Tomatoes, finely chopped Onion, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 4 cups, diced Tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped Onion
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp, leaves only Fresh thyme
- 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 1 slice, cubed Baguette
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent (5 minutes), then add minced garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add diced tomatoes, broth, sea salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth, then stir in heavy cream. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Meanwhile, toss baguette cubes with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until golden. Serve soup topped with crispy garlic croutons.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 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 diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused 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 Herb-Infused Tomato Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
American 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
- ★★★★★
Easy and delicious. I'll be making this every week.
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of herbs and tomatoes. Made it for my husband's birthday dinner and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cold evening. The croutons were crispy and the soup was rich.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.