Shutdown Tomato Basil Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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.

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