Real Flavor Tomato Basil Soup
A vibrant, slow-simmered tomato soup with fresh basil and a hint of cream for an authentic taste. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs fresh tomatoes, large, chopped onion, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 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 "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 lbs fresh tomatoes
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice tomatoes, onion, carrots, and celery into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add tomatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and liquid reduces slightly.
- Step 3: Add chicken stock, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and blend soup in batches using an immersion blender until completely smooth. Return to pot over low heat.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until heated through, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with remaining basil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Real Flavor Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Real Flavor 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 fresh tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Real Flavor 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 Real Flavor Tomato Basil Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Real Flavor 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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.