Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup
A deeply flavorful soup that slowly imbues tomatoes and herbs into a velvety broth, served with herbed croutons for a comforting bowl. This american-inspired soups (vegan) ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, large, finely chopped onion, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, for garnish fresh basil
- 1/4 cup croutons
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and cook for 8 minutes until softened and golden at the edges.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 2 cans (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld and the soup thickens slightly. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to pot, stir in any remaining fresh basil, and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with 1/4 cup fresh basil and 1/4 cup croutons.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
