Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons
A comforting tomato soup made with fresh herbs and garlic croutons for a restaurant-quality meal. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, finely diced yellow onion, medium, finely diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 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 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely diced carrot
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 slice, cut into 1/4-inch cubes baguette
- 1 clove, minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8 minutes until vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 28 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 4: While soup simmers, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add baguette cubes and minced garlic, cooking for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, stirring frequently.
- Step 5: Remove soup from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh basil. Ladle into bowls and top with crispy garlic croutons.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons 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 with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
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 with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
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 with Crispy Garlic Croutons 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 Tomato Basil Soup with Crispy Garlic Croutons?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick weeknight meal that felt special. The basil infusion was spot-on, and the croutons held up perfectly without getting soggy.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my mother-in-law's birthday. She said it tasted like her Nonna's kitchen—simple, elegant, and the croutons were divine.
- ★★★★★
The slow simmer made the tomatoes so rich and sweet—perfect with those crispy garlic croutons! My kids even ate their veggies.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
