• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Fox Valley Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About the Fox Valley Foodie
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Soups & Stews

    Tomato Basil Bisque

    Published: Jun 2, 2023 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook128
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Tomato Basil Bisque recipe #soup #lunch #tomatoes #easy

    Creamy tomato basil bisque is a decadent soup bursting with bold tomato flavor and, of course, plenty of fresh basil. This delicious creamy soup is perfect when you are craving a taste of summer.

    Not only is this simple soup a family favorite, but it is also quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.  Most of the prep work is spent opening up a few canned goods and chopping fresh basil.  That doesn't sound too hard, does it?

    Tomato Basil Bisque.

    What is it?

    Tomato basil bisque is a thick and creamy soup fortified with heavy cream and butter, which creates a more luxurious mouthfeel than thinner soup broth alone. Tomatoes and fresh basil are primarily responsible for the fresh flavor of this rich soup.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Canned crushed tomatoes - I recommend using canned tomatoes rather than any tomatoes purchased at grocery stores. Those tomatoes are typically picked green, preventing full flavor development. However, for the best flavor, you can substitute garden fresh tomatoes that have been picked ripe.
    • Chicken broth or Chicken Stock - Vegetable stock and vegetable broth can be substituted.
    • White sugar - This can be left out if desired, but I recommend keeping it for a more balanced flavor. Brown sugar can be substituted for a deeper flavor.
    • Crushed red pepper flakes - Leave these out if you don't want any heat.
    • Kosher Salt
    • Fresh basil leaves - It is important to use fresh basil.
    • Heavy whipping cream - Half and half can be substituted, or you can use milk in a pinch. Even cream cheese could be melted into the soup.
    • Butter - You can also use a combination of butter and extra virgin olive oil.
    • Optional - Fresh garlic cloves or roasted garlic can be added to the soup.
    Creamy tomato basil bisque recipe.

    How to make it

    This homemade tomato basil bisque recipe is a very easy soup to make. The tomatoes, chicken broth, sugar, salt, and crushed red peppers need to be simmered in a large pot over medium heat for ten minutes.

    Then reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream, butter, and fresh basil. Just be careful not to boil the soup with the cream added because you don't want to risk it curdling. The soup is ready to serve once the butter has melted into the bisque.

    Tip: If you like a smooth pureed soup you can puree the tomatoes with a immersion blender (a regular blender can be used, just be careful of splashing hot liquids) for a smoother mouthfeel. However, I enjoy the added texture of the crushed tomato pieces.

    Optional garnishes for tomato basil bisque include Parmesan cheese, feta, croutons, and black pepper.

    How to serve it

    Any tomato basil bisque is infinitely better with something to dunk into it. A simple loaf of crusty bread, like a French baguette, would do the trick, but a gourmet sandwich would be even better. My recommendation would be my gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with bacon.  However, my turkey melt sandwich and roasted pork sandwich pairs nicely too.

    Tomato Basil Bisque soup.

    Storing and Reheating Leftovers

    Leftover tomato basil bisque can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for five days, for the best flavor. Gently reheat the leftovers in a saucepan, or in the microwave until warmed through.

    Tomato Basil Bisque feature

    Tomato Basil Bisque

    This creamy tomato basil bisque is a lusciously decadent soup bursting with big tomato flavor and, of course, plenty of fresh basil.
    4.50 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Side
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 295kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Equipment

    • Soup pot

    Ingredients

    • 56 ounces canned crushed tomatoes (fresh tomatoes can be used, see note below)
    • 14.5 ounces chicken broth
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ½ teaspoon kosher Salt
    • 18 leaves fresh basil (minced)
    • 1 cup whipping cream
    • 4 tablespoons butter

    Instructions

    • Bring the chicken broth, tomatoes, sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan or soup pot.
    • Cover the pot and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
    • Set heat to low and add the fresh basil, whipping cream, and butter. Cook until the butter is melted, do not boil.
    • Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    You can use garden fresh tomatoes in this recipe if they are in season and picked ripe. Substitute 9 cups of roma tomatoes (san marzano tomatoes are best), plus additional chicken broth as needed. Then puree everything until smooth.
     

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1490IU | Vitamin C: 29.6mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 3.6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com October 8, 2015.

    More Easy Soup Recipes

    • Steak Soup
      Steak Soup
    • French onion soup recipe with beef.
      French Onion Soup with Beef
    • Cheesy Potato Dill Soup Recipe
      Potato Dill Soup
    • French onion soup recipe without wine.
      French Onion Soup without Wine

    Get My FREE eCookbook

    mailer

    Subscribe to FoxValleyFoodie.com and get each tantalizing new post sent directly to your inbox, along with my complementary eCookbook just for signing up!

    « Venison Meatballs
    No-Bake Butterfinger Pie »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori Hagemann

      December 17, 2019 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy, yummy, yummy!!!
      Made some grilled cheese, to go with it
      , and my husband and son loved it! It's the best homemade tomato I've ever had! Basil is awesome!!!! I did add a little more sugar than the recipe, but thats just because of my preference
      Thank you for a quick and easy weekday meal!!!!

      Reply
    2. Lucinda

      September 15, 2019 at 9:09 am

      I was wondering if I made this soup then froze it, would this do anything to the cream? would it separate or curdle? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        September 15, 2019 at 2:24 pm

        You should be fine to freeze it.

        Reply
    3. Steph Gorges

      March 19, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Ben what do you think about substituting coconut milk for some of the heavy cream + butter. Will it destroy it? 🙂

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        March 19, 2016 at 11:42 am

        That would work fantastic. I would probably add 1 cup coconut milk and completely eliminate the dairy if desired. Though you can certainly adjust to taste!

        Reply
    4. Jeanne

      October 08, 2015 at 8:45 am

      4 stars
      I like your recipes, however, I think you should include the amount of servings they make. I usually just cook for two, and it is difficult to find recipes for two, especially ones we like. I can always reduce the recipe, but I'm lazy that way :). Just a suggestion only.

      Happy Cooking!!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        October 08, 2015 at 9:22 am

        Thanks for the feedback. I can certainly work on including the servings in more posts!

        Reply
    4.50 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe

    15834

    Get each tantalizing new recipe

    sent directly to your inbox.

    AND GET MY eCOOKBOOK FREE!

    Search for your favorite post!

    Popular Recipes

    Homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    Big Mac Sauce Copycat Recipe

    McDonald's Big Mac Sauce (Copycat Recipe)

    How to make paprika

    How to Make Paprika

    Fried chicken gizzards recipe.

    Fried Chicken Gizzards

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs - Bone In

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs (Bone-In)

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf with Secret Ingredient

    Brown Sugar Meatloaf - With a Secret Ingredient

    Close up Sloppy Joes

    Homemade Manwich (Sloppy Joes)

    Venison Meatloaf Recipe

    Venison Meatloaf

    As featured in yahoo, buzzfeed, oprah, msn and more!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Fox Valley Foodie, LLC

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.