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"A bowl of vibrant orange-red tomato bisque soup, garnished with a swirl of cream and fresh basil, served on a rustic wooden table with a slice of sourdough bread and a silver spoon."
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Best Ever Tomato Bisque Soup Smooth Rich and Irresistible

Indulge in the ultimate creamy tomato bisque soup recipe. This easy stovetop classic transforms simple ingredients into a rich, velvety comfort food, perfect for any cozy meal. It's surprisingly simple to make from scratch!
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Tomato Bisque Soup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 297kcal
Author C. Sophie

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 14.5 ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or more, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons quality tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: Fresh basil leaves a drizzle of olive oil, or grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1:

  • Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2:

  • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for one minute, creating a roux that will thicken the bisque.

Step 3:

  • Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring no lumps remain. Add the undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, granulated sugar, tomato paste, dried basil, and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4:

  • Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup directly in the pot until it is completely smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a standard blender, blending until silky, then return it to the pot.

Step 5:

  • Stir in the heavy cream and return the pot to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring gently, until the bisque is heated through. Avoid bringing the soup to a rolling boil after adding the cream to prevent curdling.

Step 6:

  • Season the creamy tomato bisque generously with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Note: These values are per serving and are approximate.
Nutrient Amount
Calories 297 kcal
Fat 17g
Carbohydrates 32g
Protein 4g
Sugar 18g
Fiber 3g
Sodium 754mg