This creamy tomato bisque recipe is the epitome of comfort food. Made with simple ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cream, this soup is rich, flavorful, and velvety-smooth. The addition of herbs and spices adds depth of flavor, making it a satisfying meal on its own or a perfect appetizer to any main course. With a total preparing time of around 40 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or a quick lunch. Whether you serve it with a crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwich, this tomato bisque will warm your soul.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Using an immersion blender or a countertop blender, puree the soup until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
- Return the soup to the pot and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the soup for an additional 5 minutes to heat it through.
- Serve the creamy tomato bisque hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
- Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Tomato bisque is often confused with tomato soup. While both are made with tomatoes, bisque is cream-based and typically smoother in texture.
The use of sugar in this recipe helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances their natural sweetness.
You can customize this recipe by adding other ingredients like roasted red peppers, parmesan cheese, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.
Leftover tomato bisque can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for future use.
This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd.