Half-Shell Tomato Bisque
A velvety tomato soup enriched with half heavy cream and half vegetable broth for perfect balance, finished with a whisper of fresh basil. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs ripe tomatoes, vegetable broth, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 lbs chopped tomatoes and 1 cup vegetable broth, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down completely.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth. Return to low heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp sea salt. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until heated through and creamy, not boiling.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Shell Tomato Bisque take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Shell Tomato Bisque?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ripe tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Shell Tomato Bisque?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Shell Tomato Bisque for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-Shell Tomato Bisque?
Mediterranean soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to soups dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
