Revert to Classic Tomato Basil Soup
A comforting, creamy tomato soup that brings back the nostalgic flavors of the old MSN homepage experience, with a touch of nostalgia in every spoonful. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs unsalted butter, medium, finely diced yellow onion, medium, grated carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, grated carrot
- 2, finely diced celery stalk
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 grated carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 8 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth, or carefully transfer to a blender in batches.
- Step 4: Return soup to pot and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Heat gently for 5 minutes until warmed through, avoiding boiling.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil until the soup is vibrant green and aromatic.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Revert to Classic Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Revert to Classic 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Revert to Classic 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 Revert to Classic 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.
What goes well with Revert to Classic Tomato Basil Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.