Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Herbed Croutons

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

A comforting, deeply flavored soup made with slow-cooked tomatoes and aromatic herbs, perfect for cozy evenings. This french-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs tomatoes, medium onion, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 French cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Core and chop 2 lbs tomatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. Finely dice 1 medium onion, 1/2 cup carrot, 1/2 cup celery, and 3 minced garlic cloves.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, and cook for 8 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Add tomatoes, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 3 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down completely.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, cut 1 slice baguette into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 cup fresh basil, then bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until golden. Blend soup with an immersion blender until smooth, season with 1/2 tsp salt, and top with croutons.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 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 Herbed 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 tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tomato Basil Soup with Herbed 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 Herbed 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 Herbed Croutons?

French 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.

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