Tomato-Basil Stew with Roasted Garlic
A deeply flavored tomato stew with roasted garlic and fresh basil, ideal for chilly evenings. This general-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs diced tomatoes, roasted garlic cloves, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 4 roasted garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp fresh basil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat until shimmering, then add 4 roasted garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 28 oz diced tomatoes (with juices) and 1 cup chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth, or carefully transfer to a blender in batches, then return to pot for final heating.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tomato-Basil Stew with Roasted Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Stew with Roasted Garlic?
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 diced tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato-Basil Stew with Roasted Garlic?
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 Stew with Roasted Garlic 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 Tomato-Basil Stew with Roasted Garlic?
General 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 cold evening! The roasted garlic added such a lovely depth.
- ★★★★★
This recipe made the best tomato-basil stew I've ever had. Will make again!
- ★★★★☆
The stew was delicious, but the garlic could have been more roasted for deeper flavor.