Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons
A vibrant, growth-inspired soup celebrating America's population trends, featuring slow-simmered tomatoes with crispy herb croutons. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs canned whole tomatoes, diced onions, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 28 oz canned whole tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup baguette slices
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add 1/2 cup diced onions, and cook until golden (5 minutes), then stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 28 oz canned whole tomatoes (with juice), 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp dried basil to the pot, bringing to a gentle simmer and cooking uncovered for 20 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth, then return to low heat, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream, and simmer for 5 minutes until heated through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, toss 1 cup baguette slices with 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp fresh basil, then bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 5: Ladle soup into bowls, top with 1 cup basil croutons, and serve immediately while hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 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 Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons?
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 canned whole tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons?
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 Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons 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 Rising Star Tomato Soup with Basil Croutons?
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
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
