Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs
A deeply flavorful, chunky tomato soup simmered with aromatic herbs and fresh basil, perfect for cold evenings. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs extra-virgin olive oil, finely diced onion, finely diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 extra-virgin olive oil
- 1, finely diced onion
- 1, finely diced carrot
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking for 8 minutes until softened and translucent — stir occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 4: Cover pot partially and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and vegetables are very tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and blend half the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to pot, stir gently, and adjust seasoning before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs 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 Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs?
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 extra-virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Herbs?
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 Fresh Herbs 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 with Fresh Herbs 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better soups dishes though.
