Tomato Bisque made better! Quick and easy Tomato Basil Bisque soup is super simple to whip up in less than 30 minutes. A great weeknight dinner that’s hearty, comforting and better than anything in can. Smooth, creamy but light…this recipe will be on repeat all year long.

Tomato Basil Bisque in a blue and white bowl with croutons and basil on a white background.

We did the pumpkin picking thing this weekend and it was the perfect day. Perfect weather, perfect foliage, perfect angry bees because the weather is making them cranky. It was our annual trek to Merrymead Farm for our two super spendy pumpkins ($15 each this year….ouch) and the most amazing cider donuts. 

It’s not fall if we don’t go hit the pumpkin patch so we pull on our boots whether the temperature is 48 degrees or 88 degrees and I make my husband go on a hayride around the farm for my own amusement. Clearly, he is not amused. But now it’s fall in my heart and my head….even though the calendar says it’s been fall for three weeks.

So, now, I’m ready to dive into soup season full force which is totally awesome because making soup is totally my jam. This easy Tomato Basil Bisque recipe is one of my favorite easy soup recipes to whip up in a hurry.  

Overhead shot of Tomato Basil Bisque in a blue stock pot.

It’s very much the same as my Baked Tomato Bisque recipe but punched up with handfuls of fresh basil. I make it with mostly pantry ingredients or things that you almost always have in your kitchen.

And since most grocery stores carry the hydroponic fresh basil almost all year round, you can get fresh summer flavor in the middle of the winter.

Tomato Basil Bisque with a spoon in it.

Easy Tomato Basil Bisque

Tomato Bisque is actually tomato soup that has a bit of cream added to it to make it creamy. So, basically, it’s a Creamy Tomato Soup….in a nutshell. You can use this Tomato Basil Bisque recipe as a meal all on it’s own or you can use it as a base for sooooo many different recipes. 

We like to add tortellini to our Tomato Bisque when we’re looking for something a little bit heartier than just a simple soup.

Overhead shot of tomato basil bisque with croutons in a blue and white bowl on a white background.

Ingredients You Will Need

This creamy tomato bisque is made with simple ingredients but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavor. 

Here’s what you will need: 

  • Bacon – We’re just using the bacon fat here so if you store your bacon fat in the fridge like I do after making a batch of bacon then you can just use a tablespoon of that.  If you don’t want to use bacon you can totally substitute the bacon fat with olive oil. Bacon does add a ton of flavor though so I encourage you to give it a try.
  • Onion – Try to find a vidalia or other sweet onion for the best flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best here. If you want to amp up the flavor a little more you can use Roasted Garlic.  It’s insanely amazing!
  • Chicken Stock – I like to use this homemade chicken stock but store bought stock is not frowned upon.  I get it….and I use it, too. Try not to use broth because the flavor isn’t as pronounced. If you’re vegetarian…simply substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
  • Tomatoes – You can make Tomato Bisque from fresh tomatoes that are roasted with excellent results. If not, try to find canned Fire Roasted Tomatoes….I like them crushed because it cuts down on blending time.
  • Fresh Parsley – Again, fresh is best but if you can’t get your hands on it, use half the amount of dried parsley called for in the recipe.
  • Fresh Basil – Same as the parsley, you can use dried but be mindful of the amount because the dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
  • Cream – You can use heavy cream but I found that Half and Half works just as well and has so much less calories. We didn’t even miss the cream the many times I used it.
  • Salt and Pepper – No need to explain here. 

Now that you have everything you need, let’s get our soup on!

Tomato Basil Bisque in a blue and white bowl on a white background.

How To Make It

You’re going to want to use a fairly large dutch oven or heavy bottomed stock pot since things can bubble up….and out. Think like a salad…..you always need a bigger bowl than you anticipate.

  1. In a large dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
  2. Add the onion to the pot and cook until translucent.
  3. Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute.
  4. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, parsley, basil, salt and pepper.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Turn the heat off and blend the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the tomato soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Just be careful because the steam can cause your lid to pop off and make a big, painful mess.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream.
  8. Serve with more chopped basil and croutons, if desired.
Close up of tomato basil bisque in a pot with a wooden spoon and basil leaves in the middle of the soup.

What To Serve With It

Since this tomato soup recipe is on the lighter side, we like to serve it with a variety of recipe.

Here are our favorites: 

Loaded iceberg wedge salad with a balsamic glaze being drizzled on top from TheSuburbanSoapbox.com

Want to see even more easy recipe? Follow us over on Instagram!

More Easy Soup Recipes

Overhead shot of Lobster Bisque in a white bowl with bread on the side and a lobster claw in the center of the soup.
Tomato Basil Bisque in a blue and white bowl with croutons and basil on a white background.

Get the Recipe: Easy Tomato Basil Bisque Recipe

Super simple and ready in minutes, this Tomato Basil Bisque is creamy and velvetty smooth.
No ratings yet

Ingredients

  • 2 slices bacon , cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 large vidalia onion , diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup half and half

Equipment

  • stockpot

Instructions 

  • In a large dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
  • Add the onion to the pot and cook until translucent.
  • Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute.
  • Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, parsley, basil, salt and pepper.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and blend the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth.
  • Stir in the heavy cream.
  • Serve immediately with croutons, if desired.

Notes

Tomato Basil Bisque can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer safe container.
You can store your Tomato Bisque in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Stir before serving because some settling may occur.
Calories: 267kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 1501mg, Potassium: 987mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 908IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 146mg, Iron: 3mg