One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Parmesan Crisps

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-18 · Updated 2026-04-18

Rich tomato soup made in one pot with fresh basil, finished with crispy Parmesan. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 medium, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 (14 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 cans crushed tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and continue simmering for 5 minutes until soup is heated through and slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: While soup simmers, make Parmesan crisps: heat a small skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan in a thin, even layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and cook 1 more minute. Let cool on skillet for 1 minute before breaking into pieces. Serve soup topped with Parmesan crisps.