Retro Comfort Tomato Basil Soup
A rich, velvety soup with a hint of fresh basil, perfect for chilly evenings or nostalgic cravings. This italian-inspired one pot (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs medium (about 1.5 lbs) ripe tomatoes, medium (1/2 lb) onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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 medium (about 1.5 lbs) ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium (1/2 lb) onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 4 chopped ripe tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until tomatoes break down.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5 more minutes until heated through.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with additional basil leaves.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Retro Comfort Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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 Retro Comfort 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 medium (1/2 lb) onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Retro Comfort 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 Retro Comfort 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 Retro Comfort 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
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
