Shutdown Tomato Basil Soup
A velvety, one-pot soup that shuts down meal prep stress in 25 minutes, featuring sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil with a hint of cream. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, medium yellow onion, medium carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Dice 1 medium yellow onion and 2 medium carrots into 1/4-inch pieces, adding to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1 cup vegetable broth, bringing to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld and tomatoes thicken slightly.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and 1/4 cup heavy cream, simmering for 2 more minutes until cream is fully incorporated and soup is uniformly smooth and slightly thickened, not boiling.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shutdown Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Shutdown 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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Shutdown 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 Shutdown 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 Shutdown 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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
