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Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup Made Easy

Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup Made Easy

A creamy slow-cooker tomato soup made with canned tomatoes, aromatics, broth, basil, and optional Parmesan. Blend it smooth in the crockpot, then add cream at the end for a comforting bowl with very little hands-on work.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 2 28-ounce cans Whole or crushed tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 medium Medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon Dried basil
  • 1/4 cup Fresh basil, chopped, instead of dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Finishing Ingredients
  • 1 cup Heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
  • 1 tablespoon Butter, optional
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar, optional for especially acidic tomatoes

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Add the tomatoes with their juices, diced onion, minced garlic, broth, dried basil, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional butter to the crockpot. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the onion and garlic are tender and the flavors have developed.
  3. Blend the soup directly in the crockpot with an immersion blender until smooth. If using a countertop blender, work in batches, vent the lid carefully, and remember that hot soup expands.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half and optional Parmesan. Cover and cook on LOW for another 15-30 minutes, just until heated through; do not let the soup boil after adding dairy.
  5. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, basil, or optional sugar. Serve warm with additional Parmesan, fresh basil, croutons, or toasted bread.

Notes

Fresh basil is best added near the end for a brighter flavor, while dried basil can cook with the tomato base. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat gently without boiling so the cream stays smooth.