Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Garden-Grown Tomatoes
A deeply flavorful tomato soup made with slow-cooked garden-fresh tomatoes and aromatic herbs, ideal for chilly evenings. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs tomatoes, medium carrot, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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
- 3 cups tomatoes
- 1 medium carrot
- 1/2 cup onion
- 1 stalk celery
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 3 cups tomatoes (1/2-inch cubes), 1 medium carrot (1/4-inch dice), 1/2 cup onion (small dice), and 1 stalk celery (1/4-inch dice), then mince 2 garlic cloves.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Add carrot, onion, and celery, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered at a gentle bubble for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down and soup thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Garden-Grown Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Garden-Grown Tomatoes?
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 tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Garden-Grown Tomatoes?
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 Garden-Grown Tomatoes 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.
Is Slow-Simmered Tomato and Herb Soup with Garden-Grown Tomatoes 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
