Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust
A comforting soup where fresh herbs hidden in a crispy crust elevate the classic tomato base with aromatic depth. This french-inspired soups ready in about 30 minutes pairs tomato paste, (14 oz can) diced tomatoes, chicken broth 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 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14 oz can) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until deep red and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 14 oz diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp chopped thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until flavors meld and the sauce reduces slightly.
- Step 3: Whisk 1 tbsp flour with 1/4 cup cold water until smooth, then slowly stir into the soup. Cook for 3 minutes until the soup thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped basil. Simmer gently for 2 more minutes until the soup is warm but not boiling.
- Step 5: Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with reserved thyme leaves for a hidden herb crust on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust?
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 tomato paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust?
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 Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust 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 Hidden Flavor Tomato Soup with Herb Crust?
French 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
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
