Healthy Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato Bisque with big flavor and very little guilt! My Healthy Tomato Basil Bisque recipe has a secret ingredient that might surprise you.
What could possibly be more comforting than a cup of creamy tomato soup on a cold rainy day?
I’ve loved tomato bisque since childhood. It’s like an edible security blanket, that warms your insides and soothes your soul.
Yet now that I’m a little more cautious about what I eat, I’ve had to revamp my Tomato Bisque Recipe. Obviously the heavy cream was the issue. Most bisque recipes have 1-2 cups of cream to provide that ultra silky texture.
My secret weapon for omitting, or at least decreasing, heavy cream in creamy soups is… White beans.
That’s right.
I add white beans to the Healthy Tomato Basil Bisque while it’s simmering to absorb flavor, then puree the soup once cooked. The starch in the beans creates a wonderfully creamy texture without all the added fat. (I used this trick here as well.)
Now to be fully honest, the soup isn’t quite as smooth as a soup with loads of cream, and it doesn’t have the same sheen. But it’s pretty darn close, considering all the calories and saturated fat you omit.
For this Healthy Tomato Basil Bisque, the white beans did a superb job of creating the right thickness, then I added just a touch of heavy cream at the end to give it that extra touch of indulgence. (You could leave it out, if you prefer.)
That way, you can enjoy your comforting bowl of creamy tomato bisque without any hesitation.
You can even enjoy two bowls!
Healthy Tomato Basil Bisque
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 28 ounces diced or crushed tomatoes (1 can)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- 32 ounces chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 15 ounces cannellini beans, drained (1 can)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the butter, onions and garlic in a large sauce pot over medium-low heat. Saute for 5-8 minutes to soften. Stir occasionally.
- Then add the tomatoes, tomato paste, basil leaves, chicken stock, beans, and crushed red pepper. Turn the heat up to medium-high and simmer for 20 minutes, stir occasionally.
- Turn off the heat. Using an immersion blender, puree the the soup until completely smooth. Taste and salt and pepper as needed.
- Then add the cream and stir to combine. Serve as is, or pour through a sieve for an even finer creamy texture.
Very inventive! I think I would add some toasted whole wheat croutons on top :)
I’m all about soup right now, so bookmarked!
Such a lovely winter soup!!!
Oh, love your trick to lighten this up, tomato bisque is one of my faves!
Such a brilliant delicious idea to add the beans! Perfect for the rainy cold days we’re dealing with!
YUM! Perfect for the cold winter months!
Beans – what a great idea! We love tomato soup too, must-try this one!
So smart! We love beans around here. I suspect the addition to the soup gives great texture and flavor. Great recipe, Sommer!
This is looks great! One of my favorite soups, and I’m so happy you made it lighter!
I want to slurp my life away in that.
One of my favorite soups of all time! Love that you created a healthier option for us!
I love tomato bisque but they’re always so unhealthy! I just LOVE that you created a healthier version of it! I won’t feel so guilty after all ;)
You can’t go wrong with tomato soup and I always like using beans to make a soup nice and creamy!
Love that you used beans as the thickener! SO smart!
Looks fantastic, Sommer. I love healthy, hearty soups like this.
Tomato bisque is one of my husband’s favorites. Maybe I’ll make this lighter version instead and see if he can tell the difference! :)
beans? very clever!!!! Love it.
I bet using fat free evaporated milk would work too.
I love your clever idea of using white beans to add creaminess without the fat and calories – great way to add protein too!