Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew
A slow-simmered tomato stew with fresh herbs and olives, perfect for sopping up with crusty bread. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs olive oil, large onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 4 slices crusty bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat, add 1 large diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 cups diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup pitted green olives, and 2 tbsp fresh thyme, then add 1/2 cup vegetable broth.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until thickened and flavors melded, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Serve hot over 4 slices crusty bread, allowing the stew to soak into the bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew 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 Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew?
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 Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew?
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 Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew 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 Provençal-Style Tomato and Herb Stew 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
