Tomato & Pepper Garden Stew with Herbed Croutons

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, garden-fresh stew featuring City Floral's cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, simmered with herbs and served with crispy herb croutons. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell peppers, diced yellow bell peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup diced red bell peppers, cooking for 5 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced yellow bell peppers, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 25 minutes until flavors meld and tomatoes are tender.
  3. Step 3: While stew simmers, toss 1 cup baguette slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve stew hot with a sprinkle of additional parsley and a generous portion of herb croutons on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tomato & Pepper Garden Stew with Herbed Croutons take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 & Pepper Garden Stew 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 halved cherry tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato & Pepper Garden Stew 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 & Pepper Garden Stew with Herbed Croutons 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 Tomato & Pepper Garden Stew 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.

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