Description
This creamy crockpot tomato soup is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. Made with whole plum tomatoes, aromatic onions, garlic, and a touch of paprika, it simmers slowly for hours to develop rich flavors. Finished with half-and-half for a smooth texture and topped with freshly grated Parmesan and fresh herbs, this soup offers a perfect balance of hearty and creamy that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 medium yellow onions, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 28 oz whole plum tomatoes, canned
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (California Olive Ranch preferred)
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp hot Hungarian paprika
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup whole wheat orzo (Barilla preferred)
- 1/4 cup half-and-half
Garnishes
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Fresh parsley (optional)
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Dice the yellow onions into 1/2-inch pieces and mince the garlic cloves carefully to ensure even cooking and flavor release in the soup.
- Sauté aromatics: In a skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. This step enhances the depth of flavor in the soup.
- Combine ingredients in the crockpot: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic mixture to the crockpot. Add canned whole plum tomatoes with their juices, kosher salt, ground black pepper, hot Hungarian paprika, reduced-sodium chicken broth, and the whole wheat orzo.
- Cook the soup: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the orzo to cook through, resulting in a hearty and creamy texture.
- Finish with cream: About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the half-and-half to add richness and creaminess to the broth. Let it heat through gently without boiling.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Add fresh parsley and basil for brightness and extra flavor if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Adjust the amount of paprika based on your preferred spice level.
- If the soup is too thick after cooking, add a bit more broth or water to reach desired consistency.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- To enhance the creaminess, you can use heavy cream instead of half-and-half if preferred.
