Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

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 soup recipe (vegan), ready in about 60 minutes, pairs olive oil, onion, 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

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.