Slow-Roasted Tomato and Garlic Soup with Hidden Basil Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

A rich, slow-roasted tomato soup accented with garlic and finished with a vibrant basil oil drizzle that adds a fresh hidden layer of flavor. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 70 minutes, pairs ripe plum tomatoes, garlic cloves, unpeeled, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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

• 2 lbs ripe plum tomatoes
• 6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Halve 2 lbs ripe plum tomatoes and place cut side up on a baking sheet with 6 unpeeled garlic cloves. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and roast for 40 minutes until tomatoes are caramelized and garlic is soft.
2. Step 2: While tomatoes roast, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from skins into the pot, add the roasted tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, blend 1 cup fresh basil leaves with 2 tbsp olive oil until smooth to create basil oil.
5. Step 5: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with a drizzle of basil oil on top to reveal the hidden herbaceous note.