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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

This easy crockpot tomato basil soup with orzo is a healthy, comforting meal. Prep in 10 minutes, keep it vegan or add cream for a creamy tomato bisque.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 35 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 129
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 can whole plum tomatoes (28 ounces) with juices
  • 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon  hot Hungarian paprika *
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ⅓ cup whole wheat orzo
  • ¼ cup half-and-half optional, see recipe notes
  • Optional for serving: freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil or parsley

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and sauté for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for one additional minute.
  2. Lightly coat a large slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add the sautéed onions and garlic. Layer in the tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, paprika, and black pepper, then stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the tomatoes are very tender. Purée the soup until smooth using an immersion blender. If an immersion blender is unavailable, carefully transfer the soup to a food processor or blender and purée in small batches.
  3. Stir in the orzo and increase the heat to high. Cook uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring two or three times, until the orzo is tender. If using, stir in the half-and-half. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan and basil or parsley as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Notes

  • *Hot Hungarian paprika can be found in the spice section of many grocery stores and online here. It gives the soup a rich, light smokiness and subtle heat. If you can’t find it, try substituting smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also use only cayenne or omit it from the recipe entirely. It won’t have quite as much flavor but will still be delicious.
  • If you use regular versus whole wheat orzo in the recipe, please note that your pasta cooking time may vary. I suggest checking it early.
  • FOR A RICHER SOUP: I do typically make this soup with the half-and-half, but on the day I shot the photos, I forgot to stir it in! It turned out to be a happy accident, as I learned the soup is still delicious without it. For a lighter soup, you can omit it. For a more creamy, comforting soup, go ahead and add it in. (It will add 80 additional calories to the whole batch, or 20 calories per serving.)
  • Don’t rush the onion saute! It’s important that they turn golden brown and are very tender. If you add them before they are fully cooked, their raw taste will create an off flavor in the soup.
  • TO STORE: Refrigerate soup in an airtight storage container for up to 1 week. 
  • TO REHEAT: Rewarm soup gently in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. 
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.