Our easy slow cooker creamy tomato soup recipe with canned tomatoes and half and half is perfect for dinner. It only needs a few ingredients and great for chilly days or year round. Similar to our Instant Pot tomato basil soup but cooked low and slow.
I’m all about simple recipes with just a few ingredients, and I love my slow cooker! That is where this deliciously creamy tomato soup cames into play. It’s one of our favorite easy crockpot recipes.
I have made this homemade tomato bisque recipe but it takes a quite a bit of time at the stovetop. With just six main ingredients this Crockpot tomato soup is quick for me to throw together in the morning.
At first I didn’t think I was going to like this when I had it at a restaurant. You see I am not a fan of raw tomatoes so I thought none of it was going to be a go for me, I was so wrong. Cooked is so my style and now it is one of my favorite Crockpot dinner ideas.
If you’re a busy mom too who loves homemade tomato soup but doesn’t have a lot of time to do it, you’ll love this recipe. We have even more slow cooker soups here too. 😉
What Tomatoes to Use
We are making this easy with a few canned tomatoes, I like diced, you can use petite if you want the pieces to be smaller or regular if you like it chunkier. I puree at the end to make it smooth but the texture is optional.
Can you use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
If you have the time you could even use fresh tomatoes to make this easy Crockpot soup. Typically I use two cans of petite diced tomatoes though. Let’s just be honest here, we like really easy right. The difference between the two, other than effort, is the skin is softened in the can which is more pleasant.
How to Make Tomato Soup Creamy
I used Half and Half to do this which I think worked so well. If using a dairy free alternative I would use cashew milk because it is the thickest, you’d need to whisk a bit of cornstarch in to thicken
Can you use heavy cream instead of half and half?
I use half and half to make it really creamy but if you had their heavy cream on hand instead that would work too, NO worries my friend. If you only had milk you could add 1 tsp of lemon juice per cup and let it sit to become buttermilk to thicken up too as another alternative.
How to Thicken
I did think it needed a bit of all purpose flour to thicken it but once again that is optional depending on the texture you want it to become. Arrowroot is a gluten free option to use.
Can you add noodles?
If you wanted to make it a bit heartier you could add stuffed frozen ravioli or tortellini noodles inside the last 30 minutes. Submerge and close the lid and they will thaw and then cook thru to become tender which is a wonderful add in.
You could add some heat to this if you really wanted to. I like it as is with the natural flavors shining through but using a bit of sriracha or some red pepper flakes it could really amp things up.
How do you make soup smooth?
Lift lid and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth in the pot. Or use a ladle to put all contents into a blender. Set to puree for about 30 seconds or until all chunks are smooth. Pour mixture back into your slow cooker and set to low. Pour in your half and half, stir until combined. Put lid back on and allow to cook on low for 30 more minutes.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tbsp butter, salted
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz cans, petite size is best
- 1.5 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp garlic , minced, optional
- 3/4 cup half and half, or heavy cream
Instructions
- Over low/medium heat on the stove heat your butter in a pan and add your diced onions.
- Saute for a few minutes until onions begin to soften.
- Sprinkle your flour on to the softened, butter covered onions and stir until coated. Cook for an additional minute and turn heat off.
- Add this onion roux mixture to your slow cooker.
- Pour your two cans of petite diced tomatoes on top of that followed by your chicken broth, and then sprinkle in your spices and garlic if you wish to add that.
- Stir gently just so everything is combined, put top on and set to high for 3.5 hrs. If cooking on low set to 5.5 hrs.
- If you are able to stir halfway through it is best.
- Lift lid and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth in the pot. Or use a ladle to put all slow cooker contents into a blender. Set blender to puree for about 30 seconds or until all chunks are smooth.
- Pour mixture back into your slow cooker and set to low.
- Pour in your Horizon half and half, stir until combined.
- Put lid back on and allow to cook on low for 30 more minutes.
- If you want to pair your creamy tomato soup with grilled cheese make them now.
- Over low heat butter two slices of bread. Put buttered side down of one piece of bread into a pan and add two slices of Horizon cheese slices, followed by the second buttered piece with butter side facing up.
- Cook until butter and cheese is melted, flip, and allow both sides of bread to brown. Serve together!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you freeze leftovers?
To freeze leftover tomato soup, allow it to cool completely. When you reheat it, least 2 hours on the counter or in the fridge to thaw out. When microwaving after it’s thawed, do so in small stints 30 seconds, stir, 30 seconds so it doesn’t curdle If curdling occurs use a whisk to break it up. Can add a bit of fresh cream to thin it out too.
What should I serve with tomato soup?
Grilled cheese in air fryer is expected of course, Saltine crackers. Serve with some Instant Pot cornbread or make air fryer cornbread or serve with pull apart bread
FAQ
We will show you how right here! You can make this in your slow cooker or on the stovetop as well. Blend to smooth at the end and serve with garlic bread!
Ours was perfect but if you want it to be a bit more you can add some soup to a bowl and whisk in 2 tbsp cornstarch. Pour back in and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
Can this be made in an Instant Pot?
Yes, I just added a link in the post. Similar to this one: https://temeculablogs.com/instant-pot-tomato-basil-soup/