Pin it This velvety bisque combines ripe tomatoes with fresh basil and cream for a rich, comforting experience. Start by sautéing onion and carrot to build a savory base, then add garlic, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings. After simmering for 20 minutes, puree the mixture until smooth. Cream enriches the final texture, creating a luscious, flavorful soup that’s perfect for any season. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy a cozy, satisfying bowl.
The way tomatoes fill the whole house with warmth when they're simmering down into soup is something I noticed accidentally one rainy afternoon. I'd been experimenting with tomato soups for years, always missing something essential until I added that carrot for natural sweetness. Now this is the soup that makes my kitchen feel like home, regardless of the season.
My youngest sister declared this the best soup she'd ever eaten after I made it for her during a particularly tough winter. She asked for the recipe immediately and now makes it for her own family on Sunday nights. There's something about tomato basil that just wraps around you like a blanket.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Creates the foundation and helps all those vegetable flavors bloom
- Yellow onion: Provides the savory backbone that balances tomato acidity
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh adds that aromatic depth you cannot replicate
- Large carrot: My secret for natural sweetness and deeper color
- Diced tomatoes with juices: Two cans give you consistency without fresh tomato variability
- Fresh basil leaves: Half cup chopped but save some pretty leaves for topping
- Vegetable broth: Two cups to create the right body and flavor
- Heavy cream: One cup transforms this into bisque territory
- Sugar: Just one teaspoon helps if tomatoes are acidic
- Salt and black pepper: Essential but taste first before adding more
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional but I love the subtle warmth
Instructions
- Sauté the foundation:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook onion and carrot for 5 minutes until they soften and smell sweet.
- Add the garlic:
- Stir in minced garlic for just 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Build the soup base:
- Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices along with basil broth sugar salt pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer together:
- Bring everything to a gentle bubble then lower heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Make it velvety:
- Remove from heat and puree with an immersion blender until completely smooth or blend carefully in batches.
- Add the luxury:
- Stir in heavy cream and warm through over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finish and serve:
- Ladle into bowls and top with fresh basil leaves while steam is still rising.
Pin it This recipe became my go to comfort food after a friend brought me fresh basil from her garden. I made this soup on impulse and it turned out so perfectly that I wrote down exactly what I did before I could forget.
Making It Your Own
I've learned that coconut cream works beautifully if you need dairy free and actually adds lovely depth. The texture stays silky and the flavor becomes slightly more complex.
Perfect Pairings
Grilled cheese is obvious but have you tried it with garlic bread or herb focaccia. The soup deserves something substantial for dipping.
Storage Wisdom
This soup actually tastes better the next day as flavors meld together in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container for up to four days and reheat gently over low heat.
- Freeze individual portions for quick lunches
- Add a splash of cream when reheating if it looks too thick
- Always taste again after reheating since flavors concentrate
Pin it There's nothing quite like dipping crusty bread into this soup and knowing you made something this good with your own hands.
Recipe FAQs
- → What’s the best way to blend the soup?
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Use an immersion blender directly in the pot for convenience, or carefully blend in batches using a standard blender until smooth.
- → Can I substitute the cream with a non-dairy option?
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Yes, coconut cream or cashew cream work well as creamy alternatives without compromising texture.
- → How can I add a smoky flavor to this dish?
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Incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika during seasoning for a subtle depth and smoky undertone.
- → Is this suitable for a gluten-free diet?
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Yes, as long as all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free, this dish is gluten-free friendly.
- → What side items complement this bisque?
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Grilled cheese sandwiches or crusty bread pair perfectly, enhancing the comforting nature of the dish.
- → How to adjust seasoning to taste?
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After adding cream and reheating, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as desired for balanced flavor.
