Tomato Bisque [Easy & Creamy] - caramel and cashews (2024)

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Creamy and comforting tomato bisque is simple to make and way better than store bought! San Marzano tomatoes, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth are simmered and then blended together for a soup that's easy and delicious.

Tomato Bisque [Easy & Creamy] - caramel and cashews (1)

Once you make homemade tomato soup you won't ever buy Campbell's again!

Tomato Bisque Vs Soup

A tomato bisque is just a creamy version of tomato soup most often made so with heavy cream. Traditionally the term bisque was a French cooking term referring to soup made with crustacean stock (lobster, shrimp, crab, etc.) but nowadays it's used interchangeably with a creamy soup.

Disclosure:This post contains affiliate links. In other words, if you click a link and purchase something I will receive a commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I use and enjoy myself.

Why You Will Love This Soup

  • It's so easy to make. It may take 50 minutes for it to cook but 40 of that is simmer time which means you only have to work for 10 minutes.
  • It's a one pot meal. You don't have to dirty up several pots for this recipe which means less mess and less cleanup.
  • It's delicious! Delicious meals (in this case soup) don't have to be complicated.

The Secret to a Good Tomato Soup

There are several ways to make a good tomato soup but I think the real secret is in the simmer.

Some recipes call for cream, some don't. Some use flour to help thicken up the soup and others add parmesan or bell peppers for additional flavor.

Most of the recipes call for tomatoes, garlic, onion, and some form of stock BUT the best way to make an incredible soup is only partially about the ingredients.

The best way to make a delicious tomato soup is to simmer it for a good while.

Tomato Bisque [Easy & Creamy] - caramel and cashews (2)

Ingredients for this Soup

I used canned San Marzano tomatoes for this soup because it's simple and easy but more than that it still tastes amazing.

That being said in a couple months when my garden is bursting with fresh tomatoes I plan to make this tomato bisque with fresh tomatoes. I will update this post when I do or if you use fresh tomatoes leave us a comment to tell everyone how it came out.

  • Unsalted butter
  • Sweet onion
  • Garlic
  • Kosher salt - Seasoning is important. This recipe doesn't call for much as vegetable broth adds saltiness as well.
  • Sugar - Just a small amount adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • San Marzano canned tomatoes - San Marzano tomatoes are less acidic with less seeds and a thick and sweet flesh. It is somewhat of a debate whether they are better than regular canned tomatoes but I love them for this soup.
  • Vegetable broth - This reduces during the simmer for additional flavor.
  • Basil - I am in love with sweet basil and the tomato basil combo but if you don't like basil at all you can leave it out.
  • Heavy cream - Just a ½ cup makes this soup perfectly creamy!

How to Blend Up the Soup

You have two options here:

  1. A stick blender or immersion blender - I prefer this method because it's easier and you don't have to transfer hot soup. Simply lower the blade into the soup and blend until smooth. It is a little harder to get all the onions and tomatoes blended smooth but I didn't mind this.
  2. A regular blender - This should get all those ingredients blended nice and smooth but you have to transfer the soup into the blender and then back into the pot. You can certainly do this method but if you have a stick blender I recommend using it instead.

Other Recipes You Might Like

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  • Shakshuka with Feta Recipe

Tomato Bisque [Easy & Creamy] - caramel and cashews (3)

Tomato Bisque Recipe

Carolyn

Creamy and comforting tomato bisque is simple to make and way better than store bought! San Marzano tomatoes, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth are simmered and then blended together for a soup that's easy and delicious.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 4

Equipment

  • A dutch oven or soup pot

  • A blender or an immersion blender

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 sweet onion, medium diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp + 1 t. sugar
  • ½ t. kosher salt
  • 28 oz can of san marzano tomatoes I used Cento brand
  • 2 ¼ cups vegetable broth*
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • small handful of basil

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven on medium high heat sauté the diced onion in the butter for 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, kosher salt, and a teaspoon of sugar and sauté for 30 more seconds.

  • Add the san marzano tomatoes and the vegetable broth to the pot. Stir and then let it come to a simmer. Turn down the heat to medium low and let simmer for 35 minutes.

  • Add 1 tbsp of sugar and the basil and blend up the soup with an immersion blender. If you don't have an immersion blender carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender and blend until smooth.

  • Let the soup simmer for 5 more minutes then add ½ cup of heavy cream. Once the soup is hot again turn off the heat and serve warm.

Notes

*If you want this recipe to be gluten free like I do then make sure to buy gluten free vegetable broth. Both Swanson and Progresso are labeled gluten free among other brands.

Keyword gluten free, soup

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Tomato Bisque [Easy & Creamy] - caramel and cashews (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between tomato soup and tomato bisque? ›

What is the difference between tomato soup and Tomato Bisque? Tomato soup is usually made with either vegetable or chicken stock. Tomato bisque is made by adding cream or whole milk. The dairy is what makes it thicker and creamier, which gives it the defining traits of a bisque.

Is tomato bisque soup healthy for you? ›

Heart Health Hero: Tomato soup is excellent for heart health. Thanks to its lycopene content, potassium, and fiber, it helps in lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The soup's low saturated fat content also makes it a heart-friendly choice.

How to make canned tomato bisque better? ›

10 Simple Ways to Upgrade Prepared Tomato Soup
  1. Add Fresh Herbs. Take a page from My New Roots author Sarah Britton and turn to herbs whenever you need a simple way to perk up a pot of soup. ...
  2. Add Greens. ...
  3. Add Toasted Nuts. ...
  4. Add Croutons. ...
  5. Add Poached Eggs. ...
  6. Or Something Fishy. ...
  7. Drizzle With Flavored Oil. ...
  8. Or Flavored Cream.
Nov 9, 2016

What is tomato bisque made of? ›

In our tomato bisque recipe, the cream adds a silky, luxurious texture giving it a more full-bodied feel. There's also sautéed carrots and onions, chicken stock, canned tomatoes, and fresh basil for many levels of deliciousness.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

How do you thicken tomato bisque? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Is tomato soup good for blood pressure? ›

Due to its high potassium content, tomato soup helps maintain healthy blood pressure. Your blood pressure is the force with which your blood presses against your blood vessel walls. You don't want this pressure to be too high or too low. Tomato soup can be beneficial in this regard.

Can you eat too much tomato soup? ›

Tomatoes contain a large amount of malic acid and citric acid, which will trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, eating too many tomatoes can also cause other gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Is tomato soup good for your stomach? ›

By incorporating heirloom tomato soup into your diet, you can increase your fiber intake and support a thriving gut microbiome. Boost Immunity: Heirloom tomatoes are packed with antioxidants, such as lycopene and vitamin C, which have been linked to improved gut health.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

What goes well with tomato bisque? ›

The best side dishes to serve with tomato soup are grilled cheese sandwich, garlic bread, Caesar salad, bruschetta, stuffed bell peppers, roasted vegetables, pesto pasta salad, Caprese salad, gluten-free bread, quinoa salad, couscous with roasted vegetables, polenta fries, stuffed mushrooms, and vegetable fritters.

What is the shelf life of tomato bisque? ›

Unopened canned tomato soup can last up to 18 months in your pantry, but always check the 'Best By' date to be sure. Once opened, the soup should be consumed within 3-5 days if refrigerated. If you've made the soup from scratch, it's safe to consume within 5-7 days when refrigerated.

What is the difference between creamy tomato soup and tomato bisque? ›

While both are delicious, they are quite different, especially when it comes to the texture. Tomato bisque is thicker and creamier in texture, and calls for the use of milk and/or cream.

Can you eat tomato bisque on its own? ›

They even asked for seconds. Tomato bisque is a great way to sneak some more veggies into your family's diet! The creamy and delicious soup is packed with flavor, and seriously stands as an entire meal on its own. So enjoy and don't forget to freeze the leftovers!

What is the main flavoring ingredient in a bisque? ›

Lobster, crab, shrimp, or prawns are the base for this tasty thick chowder-like soup. The shells flavor the stock, giving it an intense flavor. Having a good blender is essential for this dish to puree the shells and make them smooth and creamy.

What makes a bisque different from soup? ›

Bisque Is Richer Than Soup

The complexity of flavors in a well-made soup is achieved through careful simmering, seasoning, and the interplay of diverse ingredients. In general, soup is thought of as an everyday dish, however, whereas bisque is more luxurious. Bisque takes a more refined approach to flavor.

What's in Campbell's tomato bisque? ›

WATER, TOMATO PASTE, DICED TOMATOES (TOMATOES, TOMATO JUICE, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUMCHLORIDE), CANOLA OIL, CREAM, SUGAR, ONIONS, BUTTER, SALT, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, BASIL, YEASTEXTRACT (BARLEY), WHEAT FLOUR, MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, DRIED GARLIC, DRIED PARSLEY, ONIONPOWDER, ANNATTO, SPICES (CONTAINS CHILLIES).

Can you use tomato bisque instead of tomato sauce? ›

Although it is likely to change the flavor profile more than other substitutes, tomato soup can work as a tomato sauce substitute. A can of tomato soup can replace 1 cup of tomato sauce. However, because the soup has more liquid than tomato sauce, you should reduce another liquid ingredient by 1/4 cup if possible.

Why is tomato bisque not a true bisque? ›

Because of this distinction, there are many who argue that tomato bisque is not a true bisque at all because it has no crustacean products mixed in. However, the term has evolved in modern day to include cream based soup such as squash, mushroom, and tomato.

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