Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs
A rich, velvety tomato soup simmered gently with fresh basil and cream, perfect for chilly evenings. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over low heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking for 10 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes and 2 cups vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat, then reduce heat to maintain a bare simmer. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 cup heavy cream, cooking for 5 more minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs?
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 Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs?
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 Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs 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.
Is Low-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
