Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

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A creamy parmesan basil tomato soup that practically cooks itself for you! Just add theingredients into the slow cooker and watch thedelicious smells of tomatoes and herbs waft through your whole house!

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (1) Top of the morning to ya!

Is it cold or chilly where you live? This soup is begging to be dinner tonight.

I feel like after the Thanksgiving holiday I just cannot grab a hold of time. Anyone else with me on that? So much on my plate at the moment and it becomes a little hard to balance everything. I’m sure a lot of you can relate, this time of the year is definitely stressful! I knowI’ve got several projects all going on at once– exciting things for sure. And I cannot wait to share with you here in the next couple of weeks! Totop it all off, it’sbeen nothing but sad, dreary weather here in Houston lately.

You know what that means right? Dinnerin the slow cooker and comfort food it is!

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2)This past week, Anees and I celebrated our one year houseaversary.

WHAT. Yes, a whole year just snuckby and amidst celebrating, the reality of a half decorated house slowly kicked in. Then panic stuck. And frantic web searches for a chandelier followed. And before I knew it, I found myself in the thick of decoratingwithout any actual time to do it in. There I went, spreading myself even thinner.

But with a to-do list that was just piling up without me having a chance to cross much off, I knew something had to give. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do but I really just don’t enjoy it when I’m rushed. And dishes, ouf! Yuck.

So a slow cooker tomato soup was exactly what my lunches and dinners needed. A little grilled cheese action on the side and voila! A warm and comforting meal that would bring all the chaos around me to a crashing halt, if only for a few minutes. It was my favorite comfort food growing up. And albeit, I wasn’t as picky back then. Campbell’s was a winner and grilled cheese was all about that cheddar.

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (3)Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (4)The creamy, parmesan and basil tomato soup is totally worth it. Every bite of it.

Anees and I love warm soup on Thursday evenings when he comes back into town after being away for work for a few days. It’s starting to become somewhat of a weekly routine. He gets home around 9:30 or so and with a late dinner time like that, we like to keep things light. Tomato soup with a sammy on the side iscozy, warm and kinda perfect for a late night meal.

I have another roasted tomato basil soup recipe on the blog here and everyone that has made it isforever a fan. It does require a bit of time though as you slow roast the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots in the oven. This clearly isn’t an option if you’re looking for a easier soup recipe.

So i’ve reworked my favorite tomato soup recipe to bring you this slow cooker version that requires very little hands on time but provides you the same warm, hearty flavor.

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (5)It all starts with a little butter, a cup of chopped onions, and 2 large diced carrots. I promise, this is the only part where you actually have to do any “cooking”. Melt the butter in a skillet and just sauté the onions until they are soft, add the carrots and let them go for another 1-2 minutes. Dump this mixture into the slow cooker. You’ll also need good quality tomatoes, roasted garlic cloves, dried basil, Italian seasoning, vegetable or chicken broth, a parmesan rind, bay leaf,a little sugar, balsamic vinegar, basil pesto, and some sun-dried tomatoes into the slow cooker. Basil pesto has become a staple ingredient for my homemade tomato basil soups.

Since we aren’t stopping to roast our own tomatoes, i’m using sun-dried tomatoes to really help boost that tomato flavor. When the soup is done, I like to use an immersion blender to just blend the soup to my desired consistency. But before I blend it, I add in a whole handful of fresh basil leaves. The flavor of the fresh basil blended into the soup is so much better. Trust me on this. With every bite you can smell that glorious, bright basil. And half of what you taste is the smell right?

So let the slow cooker make you tomato soup for dinner tonight and just catch up on a few things from your list. And whatever you do, don’t skip the grilled cheese sandwich.

This soupwas made for it.

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (6)

Yield: 8-10 large servings

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time6 hours 10 minutes

Total Time6 hours 15 minutes

A creamy parmesan basil tomato soup that practically cooks itself for you! Just add the ingredients into the slow cooker and watch the delicious smells of tomatoes and herbs waft through your whole house!

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (7)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 2 diced carrots
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans san marzano tomatoes
  • ¼ cup EACH roasted garlic cloves AND sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 4 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
  • 1 parmesan rind (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tablespoons basil pesto
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1-2 cups half and half
  • parmesan cheese + grilled cheese sandwich, to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they start to turn translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stir them around so they cook evenly.
  2. Transfer the cooked veggies into a 6 quart slow cooker or larger. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, italian seasoning, broth, parmesan rind, bay leaf, basil pesto, and balsamic vinegar. Cover and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours for the best flavor or 3-4 on the high setting for a quicker meal.
  3. Fish out the bay leaf and parmesan rind. Add the basil leaves to the slow cooker, stir to combine and using an immersion blender, blend the soup till smooth or to your desired consistency. If you don't have a stick blender, transfer the soup in batches into a blender and blend. Stir in 1 cup of half and half and taste. If desired add more half and half to preference. We like it with 1 cup but you can certainly add more to your preference.
  4. Top bowls with parmesan cheese and serve with grilled cheese or cheese croutons.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (8)

For a dairy-free alternative try:

secret ingredient tomato basil soup

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Parmesan Basil Tomato Soup (Slow Cooker) Recipe | Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

How to spice up tomato soup? ›

Swirl some red wine vinegar into the soup and serve with a stack of mozzarella and fresh basil leaves on a toasted baguette. Add a drizzle of pesto (homemade or store bought) and finish with toasted pine nuts and croutons. Add a teaspoon or two of Thai red curry paste and some cooked rice, then top with cooked shrimp.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it thicker? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Does heavy cream thicken tomato soup? ›

For a creamy and rich tomato soup, consider adding heavy cream or yogurt. These dairy products not only add thickness but also enhance the flavor. Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Why is my tomato soup so watery? ›

Simmer the soup longer. This evaporates more water, thickening the soup and intensifying its flavor. It does tend to flatten the bright, fresh flavors of tomato. Add fresh diced tomato and a little fresh basil moments before serving.

What spice adds flavor to soup? ›

"Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices. "Ground paprika, turmeric, nutmeg, ground ginger, and other powdered spices add a touch of color and spiciness to broths," she says.

What can I add to tomato soup for more flavor? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

How do you make tomato soup taste better? ›

You can sauté minced garlic in a bit of olive oil before adding the canned sauce to release its flavors. Onion: Chopped or minced onions, whether white or red, can provide a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. Sauté them before adding the tomato sauce. Basil: Fresh or dried basil is a classic herb t.

What spices to add to canned tomato soup? ›

In a saucepan, combine tomato soup and 1 can full of milk of choice or heavy cream. Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper and let sit on medium-low heat for about 10 minutes. Pour into bowls and top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

This tip comes from food science. Add a small spoonful of sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Season with salt in all of the steps (starting with the sauteed onions). This ensures your tomato soup is never bland.

Can you add cream to tomato soup without curdling? ›

To thwart the curdling tendency, changing procedures will render a smooth tomato soup. Heat the tomato mixture and cream separately, then slowly add tomatoes to the cream near the end of the cooking process. Once mixed, heat the mixture gently to 180 degrees. Do not boil.

Why do people add milk to tomato soup? ›

Adding milk or cream to a soup can balance contrasting tastes and help ingredients that don't typically mesh blend seamlessly. Plus, the extra calories in milk or cream can make for a more filling soup served solo and without any accompanying sides.

How do you make tomato basil soup thicker? ›

I use a humble potato to thicken this soup. Of course you can leave it out if you wish, but is adds a thick and creamy texture and compliments the tomato flavour nicely. However, you can use thickened cream if you wish! (About 1/2 – 3/4 cup for the whole pot.)

How to add more tomato flavor to tomato soup? ›

For the most intense tomato flavor, include a couple tablespoons of tomato paste. To get the most out of it, add it to the pan when aromatics like onion and garlic are softened, but before adding the tomatoes. Let the paste cook, stirring frequently, for a few minutes, or until it starts to darken in color.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

When you add baking soda to tomato soup (or sauce, or chili), it neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Not only will this make the tomatoes taste less acidic (good news if your tomatoes turned out more sour than you expected), but it also means that you can now add milk to your soup without risking curdling it.

Is tomato soup better with milk or water? ›

You can use either depending on your taste. Water is perfectly fine but using milk will make the end product much richer. With most brands, you can use either option. Milk makes the tomato soup creamier, and it tastes better, that way.

How do you upgrade canned tomato soup? ›

Here are 10 ideas:
  1. Add Fresh Herbs. Take a page from My New Roots author Sarah Britton and turn to herbs whenever you need a simple way to perk up a pot of soup. ...
  2. Add Greens. ...
  3. Add Toasted Nuts. ...
  4. Add Croutons. ...
  5. Add Poached Eggs. ...
  6. Or Something Fishy. ...
  7. Drizzle With Flavored Oil. ...
  8. Or Flavored Cream.
Nov 9, 2016

What seasoning brings out tomato flavor? ›

While basil, cilantro, and oregano are all popular herbs to pair with Tomatoes, there are many more options to choose from! If you want to experiment with more herbs, here are a few extra options that taste great with Tomatoes: Parsley. Dill.

How do you spice up store bought soup? ›

Depending on the soup's flavor profile, you could shake in some cumin or red pepper flakes. Go green: Add some spinach or chopped kale or pesto. Get zesty: A squirt of lemon juice or zest could brighten up an otherwise flat soup. Starchy things: Homemade croutons, crushed tortilla chips, or oyster crackers.

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