Description
This Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe is a creamy, comforting classic perfect for cozy meals. Made with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, and basil, and enriched with a homemade roux of butter, flour, and heavy cream, this bisque delivers rich flavor and velvety texture. The slow simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and the immersion blender creates a smooth, luscious consistency. Serve it with grilled cheese for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 15 ounces crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For the Roux:
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream (or as much as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Warm olive oil over medium-high heat in a pot. Add salt, thyme sprigs, garlic cloves, chopped parsley, and chopped basil. Cook for about one minute to release the flavors before adding other soup ingredients.
- Add Soup Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and sugar. Lower the heat to medium once the soup begins to simmer. Let it cook gently for 30 minutes to develop flavor. Then remove the thyme sprigs and garlic cloves from the soup.
- Blend the Soup: Lower the heat to low and allow the soup to cool slightly. Use a hand immersion blender to gently blend the soup until it turns creamy and thickens to a smooth consistency.
- Make the Roux: In a small pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, adding 3 to 4 tablespoons or until the roux reaches a creamy, soft texture similar to Greek yogurt.
- Combine Roux and Soup: Slowly pour the roux mixture into the tomato bisque while whisking continuously. This will thicken the soup further and add richness.
- Season and Serve: Taste the bisque and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, or croutons before serving for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- For onion lovers, dice one shallot and add it to the pot along with garlic and thyme at the beginning.
- To vary the flavor, try using fire-roasted tomatoes and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- This bisque pairs wonderfully with a grilled cheese sandwich for a classic comfort meal.
- Nutrition estimates are based on 4 servings, with each serving being one quarter of the soup. Ingredient brands may vary nutritional values, so consult a nutritionist for precise info.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
