The Unexpected Ingredient That Will Majorly Upgrade Your Tomato Bisque

What's better than a hearty bowl of soup on a cold, rainy day? How about some bisque instead? Aside from being delicious, bisque tends to be thicker and creamier than traditional soup, giving it more of a full-meal consistency that will keep you warm all day. 

Bisque also stands out from generic soups because of its versatility in flavors. Thanks to its creamier consistency, bisque can contain ingredients and flavors that aren't often found in regular soups — think anything from lobster to tomato and even pumpkin.

Supply and prices for fresh and canned tomatoes are projected to surge in the next few months, so fans can expect to dish out a little more money when making homemade soup and bisque. But isn't this comfort food worth the cost? With colder days ahead, Mashed has nailed down the perfect tomato bisque recipe. And recipe developer Mariam Hahn has a secret ingredient that sets this dish apart.

Prepare to be wowed by this 20-minute tomato bisque recipe. According to Mashed recipe developer Miriam Hahn, cream cheese takes tomato bisque to the next level. 

Instead of using heavy cream in your bisque, swap in eight ounces of cream cheese. This will "give the soup a creamier texture, great flavor, and a little more body. Any type of cream cheese will work," Hahn says. Because of the added creamy texture, the recipe's fire-roasted tomatoes complement the bisque's overall flavor. 

"I love eating this soup with croutons or sourdough bread. I also love to top it with fresh basil if you have it, or even fresh Italian parsley," Hahn says. You can also pair this delicious bisque with a number of sandwiches, such as grilled cheese or a BLT. With all the added creamy deliciousness, you can treat yourself and relish in all of the bisque's aromas and flavors, perfect for those colder days ahead.