Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup
A velvety, deeply flavored tomato soup simmered with fresh basil and a touch of cream—perfect for chilly days. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs (14 oz can diced) tomatoes, (1/2 cup finely diced) onion, (1/4 cup finely diced) carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 (14 oz can diced) tomatoes
- 1 (1/2 cup finely diced) onion
- 1 (1/4 cup finely diced) carrot
- 2 stalks (1/4 cup finely diced) celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and dried basil, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add canned tomatoes (with juice) and chicken stock, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches).
- Step 5: Stir in heavy cream, salt, and black pepper, then simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes until heated through and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup 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 Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup?
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 (14 oz can diced) tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup?
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 Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup 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 Most Loved Tomato Basil Soup 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
