Quick & Cozy Tomato Bisque Recipe: Ina Garten’s Winter Warmer

Slurping soup becomes a luxurious experience with this creamy tomato bisque recipe from Ina Garten that promises pure comfort in every spoonful.

Her style turns a classic dish into something extraordinary and elegant.

Rich, velvety textures blend seamlessly with robust tomato flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe captures restaurant-quality sophistication with surprisingly simple ingredients.

Smooth and silky, this bisque offers a warm embrace on chilly evenings.

Hearty yet refined, it delivers complex flavors that will make you feel like a gourmet chef.

You’ll want to ladle this delectable soup into bowls and savor every single bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes Into Ina Garten’s Creamy Tomato Bisque

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps develop deep flavor complexity.
• Olive Oil: Adds subtle fruity notes and prevents butter from burning during cooking.
• Yellow Onion: Delivers sweet, mild aromatic base that enhances overall soup depth.
• Shallots: Introduces delicate, sophisticated flavor with gentle pungent undertones.
• Leek: Contributes mild, elegant onion-like essence with subtle green freshness.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Delivers vibrant, concentrated tomato flavor and smooth texture.
• Whole Milk: Creates silky, balanced liquid base with gentle dairy richness.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious, velvety smoothness and rounds out soup's flavor profile.

• Saffron Threads: Imparts exotic, golden color and distinctive earthy-floral undertone.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle, warming heat and subtle spicy complexity.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances overall recipe flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, sharp aromatic depth.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers nutty, salty finishing garnish with rich umami character.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, clean herbal freshness as final accent.

Kitchen Gear for Making Ina Garten’s Creamy Tomato Bisque

• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for creating the base of the soup, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping onions, shallots, and leeks with ease.
• Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking.
• Sieve or strainer (optional): Can help remove seeds if desired smoother texture.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ina Garten’s Tomato Bisque

• Vegetable Preparation

Chop onions, shallots, and leeks into small pieces, creating a fragrant foundation for the rich soup.

• Base Creation

In a large pot, gently melt butter and add olive oil, creating a smooth cooking surface for the vegetables.

• Aromatic Sautéing

Cook chopped vegetables slowly over medium-low heat, allowing them to soften and release their delicate flavors.

• Liquid Blend

Pour in crushed tomatoes, whole milk, and heavy cream, combining with warming spices like saffron and red pepper flakes.

• Slow Simmering

Allow the soup to gently bubble and develop deep, complex flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Final Touches

Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasonings, then serve with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan and delicate parsley garnish.

Soup Secrets: Tips & Variations for Creamy Tomato Bisque

• Experiment with different heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding a dash of cayenne for extra kick.
• Swap parsley with fresh basil or chives to introduce a vibrant, aromatic dimension to the soup.
• Replace whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk for a lighter, plant-based alternative.
• Boost the soup's heartiness by stirring in cooked shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, or sautéed shrimp just before serving.
• Transform the bisque from smooth to chunky by leaving some tomato pieces intact or adding roasted vegetables for extra complexity.

How to Serve Ina Garten’s Velvety Tomato Bisque

• Garnish with Gourmet Toppings: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley on top to add a vibrant, elegant touch that enhances the soup's rich flavor and visual appeal.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or rustic ciabatta slices to soak up the creamy tomato bisque and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Create a Comforting Meal: Transform this bisque into a complete dinner by adding a light side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette for a balanced, satisfying meal.
• Elevate with Wine Pairing: Complement the soup's creamy texture and tomato base with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio to enhance the dining experience.

Refrigerating & Reheating Creamy Tomato Bisque Ina’s Way

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover bisque in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring the soup remains creamy and delicious.
• Freeze with Care: Transfer cooled bisque to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Keep frozen for 2-3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the soup slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and preserve the smooth consistency.
• Revive Texture: If the bisque appears slightly separated after storage, whisk briefly while reheating to restore its original creamy richness.

Velvety Tomato Bisque Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Home cooks discover Ina Garten’s creamy tomato bisque as a luxurious comfort soup that balances rich flavors with fresh ingredients. Smooth, velvety textures and aromatic herbs promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 tbsps / 45g unsalted butter
• 3 (28-oz / 800g) cans crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
• 4 cups / 950ml whole milk
• 2 cups / 475ml heavy cream
• 1½ cups / 225g chopped yellow onion (1 large)
• 1 cup / 150g chopped leek (white and light green parts, spun-dried)
• ¾ cup / 120g chopped shallots (2 large)
• 1 tbsp good olive oil
• ½ tsp saffron threads
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Grated Italian Parmesan cheese, for garnish
• Minced fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: In an expansive pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Introduce chopped yellow onions, shallots, and leeks, gently cooking until vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Build Flavor Profile: Pour in crushed tomatoes, whole milk, and heavy cream. Sprinkle saffron threads, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend.
3. Simmer and Develop Texture: Bring the mixture to a delicate boil, then reduce heat. Allow the bisque to gently simmer uncovered, stirring intermittently to prevent burning and ensure consistent thickness. Continue cooking for 30-40 minutes until the soup reaches a creamy consistency.
4. Refine and Serve: Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the bisque into elegant serving bowls, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Soften Vegetables Slowly: Take time to gently cook onions, shallots, and leeks until translucent to develop a rich, sweet flavor base without browning.
• Prevent Scorching: Stir soup frequently during simmering to avoid burning, which can create bitter undertones and ruin the delicate creamy texture.
• Control Simmering Heat: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to allow ingredients to meld harmoniously and develop deep, complex flavors without aggressive boiling.
• Adjust Seasoning Carefully: Taste and season gradually, as Parmesan cheese and initial salt levels can impact the final taste profile of the bisque.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 380mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 24g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 122mg