Tomato-Basil Soup with Herbed Croutons
A rich, deeply flavored tomato soup made with fresh basil and garlic, topped with homemade herbed croutons for a comforting bowl. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 42 minutes pairs extra-virgin olive oil, medium, finely diced yellow onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 28 oz (800g) whole peeled tomatoes canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, plus extra for garnish fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 loaf, cut into 1/2-inch cubes baguette
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 6-7 minutes until translucent and golden. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 2: Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, 1/4 cup fresh basil, dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: While soup simmers, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss baguette cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp, stirring once halfway through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato-Basil Soup with Herbed Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 42 minutes (10 min prep + 32 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 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 extra-virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 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 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.
Is Tomato-Basil Soup with Herbed 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 32-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
