Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply aromatic tomato soup simmered with fresh herbs and vegetables, served with toasted crusty bread for a satisfying, substantial bowl. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery, and cook for 5 more minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  2. Step 2: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, chopped basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer to a regular blender in batches (be careful with hot soup). Return to the pot and stir in the heavy cream if using, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Step 4: Serve hot with a slice of toasted crusty bread on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 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 Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread?

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 Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Tomato and Herb Soup with Crusty Bread?

Italian 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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