Smoked Gouda, Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque

Name: Smoked Gouda, Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 - 14.5 ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes; 12 ounce jar roasted red peppers; 3 cups chicken stock; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 1½ teaspoons sea salt; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 large cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons butter; 8 ounces smoked gouda cheese, shredded; ½ cup heavy cream; Keto Croutons, for serving (get this recipe in my exclusive Patreon group); fresh basil, for garnish

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This Smoked Gouda Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque has a silky smooth texture and is deliciously rich and creamy. Fire roasted tomatoes, roasted red peppers, aromatic garlic and onion, savory chicken stock, herbs and spices, slow simmered and pureed, and then swirled with heavy cream and melty smoked gouda cheese. It's the perfect soup recipe for those cool and cozy fall and winter days.

2 bowls of low carb tomato soup, garnished with keto croutons, fresh basil and a swirl of cream

Table of Contents show

Ingredients in Smoked Gouda, Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Bisque

tomatoes, red peppers, onion, garlic, butter, chicken stock, spices, cream, gouda cheese, all in separate bowls

Ingredient Notes

Fire Roasted Tomatoes: I love using fire roasted tomatoes in this recipe because they give this tomato bisque a subtle sweetness, with just a hint of smokiness. If you cannot find them in your local store, you can make your own, or you can just use regular diced tomatoes. (They are also delicious in this Whole30 Chicken Fajita Soup Recipe)
Roasted Red Peppers: Roasted red peppers have been charred over and open flame (like fire roasted tomatoes) and then the charred skins are peeled away. They add a real depth of flavor to this low carb tomato soup. (Try this Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Aioli Recipe) or try this (Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach and Artichoke Dip)
Onions and Garlic: Aromatics like onion and garlic make everything taste better and create deeper flavor. Are you a big onion and garlic fan like me? (Try this Caramelized Onion and Bacon Jam)
Chicken Stock: You could also use beef stock or vegetable stock.
Herbs and Spices: For this tomato bisque recipe, I used dried herbs. But you can also substitute fresh herbs. 1 teaspoon dried herbs = 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs.
Smoked Gouda: The smoked gouda in this roasted red pepper bisque recipe is what really takes things to the next level. It adds the perfect amount of smokiness, while also being delightfully creamy.
Heavy Cream: The heavy cream in this recipe gives it a silky, creamy finish. You can also use half and half. Or for a dairy free alternative, you can use full-fat coconut milk. For an even creamier soup, add an extra ½ cup. (Try this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe)

How to make low carb tomato soup

a dutch oven with onions and garlic, sautéing in butter

Step by Step Instructions

STEP 1: Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or stock pot, over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

a dutch oven with onions and garlic, sautéing in butter, tomato paste, herbs and spices

STEP 2: Add the tomato paste, basil, salt, oregano and pepper to the onions and sauté for 5 additional minutes.

a dutch oven with onions and garlic, sautéing in butter, tomato paste, herbs and spices, deglazed with chicken stock

STEP 3: Deglaze the pan with ½ cup of the chicken stock and using a rubber spatula, scrape up and mix in any bits that are stuck to the bottom.

a dutch oven with tomatoes, red peppers, chicken stock, onion, garlic, herbs and spices

STEP 4: Add the fire roasted tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and the remaining chicken stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce to low and let simmer for 30 minutes. (The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors will come together.)

a dutch oven with tomatoes, red peppers, chicken stock, onion, garlic, herbs and spices being pureed

STEP 5: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup to a smooth, silky consistency.

a dutch oven full of roasted red pepper bisque

STEP 6: Add the heavy cream, and gouda cheese, mix in, and let simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Taste, and add additional salt and pepper, if desired.

a dutch oven full of tomato bisque, garnished with keto croutons, fresh basil and a swirl of cream

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store the leftover tomato bisque in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.
Reheating: I recommend reheating this on the stove top and adding a little extra cream to help bring it back to life.
Add a splash of vinegar: For an even deeper flavor, try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
Make keto croutons: Need something crunchy on top? Make a batch of my Keto Croutons.
Make it dairy free: To make this a dairy free low carb tomato soup, simply swap out the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and omit the cheese. Alternatively, you can use a nut based cheese.
Use fresh herbs: To substitute fresh herbs, you would use three times as much. For example: for one teaspoon of dried oregano, you would substitute 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tomato soup and tomato bisque?

Tomato soup does not typically have cream and is made with a base of stock or water. Tomato Bisque is slow simmered, with lots of herbs and spices and a good amount of cream.

Are tomatoes low carb?

YES! A medium sized tomato has just under 5 grams of carb and 1.5 grams of fiber, making it just 3.5 net carbs for one whole tomato.

What if I don't have an immersion blender?

If you do not have an immersion blender, you can puree this in batches in a blender or food processor.

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