Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons
A smooth and flavorful tomato soup enriched with fresh basil and served with crunchy garlic croutons for dipping. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, medium, peeled and diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, peeled and diced carrot
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 cans (28 oz each) canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices, cubed sourdough bread
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium peeled and diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: While soup simmers, melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 4 slices cubed sourdough bread and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Toast, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until croutons are golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Remove soup from heat and stir in 1 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 7: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Serve hot topped with garlic croutons.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons 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 Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with 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 Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Italian-Style Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons?
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.
