Vintage Auction Tomato Soup with Herb Croutons
A rustic tomato soup simmered with fresh herbs and topped with crispy herb croutons, evoking the charm of estate sale kitchen finds. This American-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs canned crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 slice baguette
- 1 tbsp olive oil
The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat, then add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tsp dried thyme, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 2 cups vegetable broth, bringing to a gentle simmer and cooking for 20 minutes until flavors meld and the soup thickens slightly.
- Step 3: While soup simmers, tear 1 slice baguette into 1/2-inch cubes, toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, and toast in a 350°F oven for 8 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 4: Blend the soup briefly with an immersion blender until smooth (or use a regular blender in batches), then serve hot with a sprinkle of toasted baguette cubes on top.









