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? ›

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

What goes well with tomato basil soup? ›

Most often, Jack and I eat it with grilled cheese sandwiches, but it'd be great with a Caprese sandwich or avocado toast as well. If you're in the mood for something lighter, serve it with my Caesar salad, chopped salad, quinoa salad, or broccoli salad.

How to make tomato soup thicker? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Is tomato soup healthy? ›

Heart Health Hero: Tomato soup is excellent for heart health. Thanks to its lycopene content, potassium, and fiber, it helps in lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The soup's low saturated fat content also makes it a heart-friendly choice.

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

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.

What to add to tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

These toppings add just the right amount of coolness to a piping-hot bowl of soup.
  1. Cheese.
  2. Avocado.
  3. Sour Cream.
  4. Pace® Salsa.
  5. Jalapeños.

Does tomato basil soup raise blood sugar? ›

However, it may not be the healthiest option for those watching their blood sugar levels or trying to lose weight. This is because when tomatoes are pureed and cooked into a soup, their fibre content breaks down. This makes it easier to digest and potentially causes a spike in blood sugar levels.

Why is my tomato basil soup bitter? ›

When cooked for too long, herbs such as sage, oregano, and basil can release an overly bitter flavor, so it's best to incorporate them when the tomato sauce is almost done cooking.

When should I add basil to my soup? ›

The sweet, lick-your-finger good flavor is essential to this recipe — and it's easy to roast right alongside the tomatoes. Fresh basil leaves: basil has a slightly sweet flavor and should be added to the recipe before serving, as too much heat can remove its flavor and sometimes turn it slightly bitter.

How to thicken soup in a slow cooker? ›

Add a slurry at the end.

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

- Adding baking soda to tomato soup and tomato sauces helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Tomato flavors really shine, and your sauce or soup will not curdle if you add milk. - Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of tomato sauce or soup will make flavors sparkle and become less acidic.

How to fix bland tomato soup? ›

If the soup tastes bland at all, a bit more salt will do the trick, that doesn't just apply to this tomato soup recipe but just about anything you'll ever find yourself cooking.

Can you eat too much tomato soup? ›

Tomatoes contain a large amount of malic acid and citric acid, which will trigger gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, eating too many tomatoes can also cause other gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Is Tomato Soup good for losing belly fat? ›

Tomato soup. While these soups can be part of a healthy eating plan, they alone won't lead to significant fat loss. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized guidance on your weight loss journey.

Why put sugar in tomato soup? ›

Next - and this is important - in order to combat the acidity of the tomatoes add 3 to 6 tablespoons of sugar. Now, you'll want to start on the low side, then taste and add more as needed. Some tomatoes and juice have more of an acidic bite than others.

How to add depth of flavor to tomato soup? ›

Olive oil and butter – They create the soup's rich base. To make this recipe dairy-free, feel free to use additional olive oil instead of the butter. Carrots, onion, and garlic – These aromatic veggies give the soup savory depth of flavor. Balsamic vinegar – It adds sweetness and tang.

What can I add to my soup to make it more flavorful? ›

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. As a general rule, use fresh herbs at or near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices early on.

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.

What can I add to tomato sauce to spice it up? ›

Spice it up

If you're using a plain tomato (marinara) sauce, stir in seasonings to add extra flavor. Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options.

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