One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons
A comforting, creamy tomato basil bisque made entirely from scratch, paired with crunchy Parmesan croutons for texture and flavor. This italian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs quartered ripe tomatoes, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, 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, quartered ripe tomatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices, cubed French bread
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 2: Add 2 lbs quartered ripe tomatoes to the pot, stirring well, and cook for 8 minutes until tomatoes begin to break down. Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Return to low heat and warm through for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 4 cups cubed French bread with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Spread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 5: Serve the bisque hot, topped with Parmesan croutons for a delightful crunch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons?
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 quartered ripe tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons?
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 One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
Is One-Pot Tomato Basil Bisque with Parmesan Croutons vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The best bisque I've ever made at home!
- ★★★★★
So simple and so tasty. Will make again!
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family, and they all loved it!
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