Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato Soup

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

A rich, slow-simmered tomato soup with fresh herbs and a swirl of cream. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs Canned whole tomatoes, Yellow onion, Carrot 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: 25 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Finely chop 1 medium yellow onion, 1 carrot (peeled), and 2 celery stalks. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the vegetables for 8 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Add 28 oz canned whole tomatoes (with juice) to the pot and crush them with a wooden spoon until mostly broken down. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped), 1 tbsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pot from heat and carefully blend the soup using an immersion blender until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches). Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream until warmed through and fully incorporated.
  5. Step 5: Simmer gently for 5 more minutes until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with additional fresh basil for garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato Soup take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato 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 canned whole tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato 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 Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato 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 Slow-Simmered Herb-Infused Tomato 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.

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