The Best Hearty Tomato Soup
A deeply flavorful tomato soup with roasted vegetables and fresh herbs, perfect for chilly evenings. This general-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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 large, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2, diced carrots
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sea 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 yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 diced carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant—do not brown the garlic.
- Step 2: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth. Return to low heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Hearty Tomato 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 The Best Hearty 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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Hearty 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 Hearty Tomato Soup 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 The Best Hearty 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
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better soups dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
