The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato Soup
A velvety tomato soup that's the best for chilly evenings, made with fresh tomatoes and a hint of basil. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs fresh tomatoes, medium onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1.5 lbs fresh tomatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 4 oz diced ham
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs peeled and chopped fresh tomatoes, 4 oz diced ham, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Heat for 2 more minutes until just warmed through, stirring until creamy and glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato 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 fresh tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato 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 The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato 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.
Is The Best-Ever Creamy Tomato Soup 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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
