Murrells Inlet Tomato Basil Soup with Herb Croutons

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-17 · Updated 2026-04-17

A rustic tomato soup enriched with fresh basil and garlic, served with herb-dusted croutons for a satisfying bowl of comfort. This Italian-American soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ripe tomatoes, onion, and garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 280 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 lbs ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 slice baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs diced ripe tomatoes and cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and reduce slightly.
3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
4. Step 4: Return soup to low heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes without boiling.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, toss 1 slice baguette cubes with 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
6. Step 6: Ladle soup into bowls, top with herb croutons, and serve immediately.