Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, comforting tomato soup slow-simmered with fresh basil and topped with crunchy homemade garlic croutons for a perfect cozy meal. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs olive oil, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Add 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes to develop flavor.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely minced garlic clove and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 4 slices of baguette, toasting each side until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes per side.
  5. Step 5: Serve the hot tomato basil soup garnished with garlic croutons for a satisfying texture contrast.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 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 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 Garlic Croutons 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 Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons 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.

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