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Creamy Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup with Fresh Tomatoes

creamy slow cooker tomato basil soup with fresh tomatoes - featured image
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This creamy slow cooker tomato basil soup uses fresh tomatoes for a bright, garden-fresh flavor. It’s hands-off, comforting, and perfect for chilly days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds fresh tomatoes (Roma, beefsteak, or a mix)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your tomatoes: Wash, core, and roughly chop them. For larger tomatoes with thick skins, blanch and peel first.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent and starting to brown. Add the smashed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Layer everything in the slow cooker: Add the chopped tomatoes, sautéed onion and garlic, tomato paste, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Stir to combine.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the tomatoes are completely broken down.
  5. Add the basil and butter: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the fresh basil leaves and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Let them melt into the soup.
  6. Blend until smooth: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the slow cooker until completely smooth. If using a regular blender, work in batches.
  7. Stir in the cream: Add the heavy cream (or milk) and stir until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a splash more broth or water.
  8. Serve and garnish: Ladle into bowls and top with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper.

Notes

For an ultra-smooth soup, blanch and peel the tomatoes first. The soup tastes even better the next day. If too acidic, add a pinch of baking soda. For a dairy-free version, use olive oil and full-fat coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy tomato basil soup, slow cooker tomato soup, fresh tomato soup, easy tomato soup, garden tomato soup

Find it online: https://morselora.com/creamy-slow-cooker-tomato-basil-soup-with-fresh-tomatoes/