Last weekend while we were in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my daughter ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese. She mentioned how I never make tomato soup. She could not remember the last time I made it so I decided it was time to make some again. When I pulled up my Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Bisque recipe (click for link to recipe) I thought it looked good but I did not have time to play with carrots today. I thought I could make this dish simpler and just as tasty.
By the way, the soup at the restaurant was pretty awful! It tasted like cans of diced tomatoes and sauce mixed together with some salt and pepper. It wasn’t thick, it had just an tinny tomato taste, and did not pair well at all with the delicious grilled cheese that came with the sandwich.
Verdict:
For not really liking soup very much my family all really liked this. It had lots of flavor and I served it with warm bread and butter for dipping. The additional fresh basil sprinkled on top helped add even more flavor. It was delicious!
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients:
- 56 oz. petite diced, crushed or tomato sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 heaping teaspoon dried basil
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups cream or half and half (I used fat-free)
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated (freshly grated is best)
- fresh basil for serving, if desired
Directions:
- Place tomatoes, garlic, dried basil, heavy cream, chicken stock, salt, and pepper into the bowl of the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high 3 to 4 hours.
- Half an hour before you plan on serving the soup blend the soup to smooth with an immersion blender, in a blender, or food processor. Return soup to slow cooker.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted sprinkle the flour over the butter and blend to make a paste. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes until it just lightly starts to brown. Whisk in cream or half and half to the pan. Bring pan back to a slow simmer while continually whisking. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. It will get thick.
- Slowly stir the sauce into the slow cooker soup. Taste and adjust spices as necessary. Allow mixture to warm and serve hot with fresh basil on top if desired.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
This is one of my favourites !! Sounds really yummy………..
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Tomato soup! My favorite! Looks amazing.
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Thank you!
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This looks very good, I need to try it!
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Thank you! I hope you like it if you try it!
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Yum! Creamy tomato basil soup is my absolute fav comfort food, especially with a melty grilled cheese!
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Thanks! I couldn’t believe it when my daughter said she couldn’t remember me making tomato soup.
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I love tomato soup and grilled cheese! And just think how great it will be when the fresh summer tomatoes start arriving in your CSA box!
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Yes! Thanks!
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That looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
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Thank you so much!
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That looks gorgeous!
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Thank you so very much!
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My husband loves tomato soup! 🍅
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Smart guy!
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A lovely tomato soup recipe, Marci. I never order this out as it often tastes liked tinned tomatoes. I think making good tomato soup is an art.
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Thank you!
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LOVE!
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Thank you!
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I love tomato soup and grilled cheese! Thanks!
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Thanks!
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