Hidden Network Soup

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A creamy tomato soup with a hidden layer of roasted garlic, inspired by invisible network connections. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs onion, carrot, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 1, finely chopped onion
• 1, grated carrot
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 4 cloves, roasted garlic
• 1 (28 oz) can canned crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 grated carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: Stir in 4 roasted garlic cloves (peeled and mashed), 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
3. Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches). Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream until warmed through, about 2 minutes — do not boil.
4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with a sprinkle of extra thyme.