Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup
A sun-kissed tomato soup made with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, embodying the warmth of sunlight. This italian-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, diced into 1/2-inch pieces ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 lbs diced ripe tomatoes, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down completely.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to low heat, stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, and simmer for 5 more minutes until heated through. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup?
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 medium, finely chopped onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup?
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 Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup 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.
What goes well with Sun-Ripened Tomato and Basil Soup?
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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a summer evening. The fresh basil made it taste like summer in a bowl.
- ★★★★★
This soup was absolutely delicious! My family loved it, especially my kids who are picky eaters.
- ★★★★☆
Made it for a dinner party, but the basil flavor was a bit subtle. Next time I'll add more.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.