This Creamy Tomato Parmesan Soup is packed with flavor… perfect for a soup and sandwich night… and easy to make.. you can’t ask for more.
TIPS
This can be made in the slow cooker or on top of the stove… If you want something cooking for supper while you’re busy with other things… simply put the main ingredients in the crock pot and come back to it in about 7 hours… all that’s left is to thicken it.. which will take minutes to set up and another 30 minutes or so until wait as it thickens in the crock pot…
For the stove top method… put the main ingredients in a large pot and bring it to a low simmer… then simmer for about 45 minutes… then follow the thickening steps… and add it to the pot… cook over medium heat, for about 15 minutes or until desired thickness , stirring frequently…. I use a whisk to stir it.
Speaking of whisks.. I have a coated whisk made for non-stick surfaces.. I use it all the time.. even in pots that aren’t non-stick.. it makes it easy to make the smoothest sauces and soups.
I know the house will smell from garlic cooking… mine sure did…. you will definitely not have to worry about vampires… I worried that I over-did it… but after thickening it… and adding the half and half… the flavor was perfect…
The recipe calls for diced celery… my man is a bit picky.. he likes the flavor of celery.. he’s not crazy about it in things though.. he’ll eat it.. but in things like this… I add a celery stalk while cooking and remove it when it’s done.. so the flavor cook into the food and then I can remove it…so if you have a picky eater.. consider doing that.
I like to use baby carrots.. and simply slice them instead of dicing large carrots.. they’re the perfect size…
I peel and cut the onion into chunks and throw it into my mini processor along with the garlic clove to finely chop it .. it’s quick and easy.
I list salt and pepper to taste.. I didn’t add it.. it really didn’t need it.. it was full of flavor with out it… but add it if you want.
This uses an half a stick of butter…. you can cut the fat by using margarine…. I also cut the fat considerably by using fat free chicken broth and fat free half and half.
We could make a meal of the soup.. it’s that good!
Recipe: Creamy Tomato Parmesan Soup
All you need:
Main Ingredients:
1 can (14.5 oz.) Hunts Diced Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic
1 can (14.5 oz.) Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano
4 cups chicken broth
1 celery stalk, diced *See Tips
1 cup diced carrots *See Tips
1 medium onion, finely diced *See Tips
1 clove garlic, finely chopped *See Tips
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 bay leaf
Thickening Ingredients:
½ (4 tablespoons) stick butter
½ cup flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup Fat Free Half and Half, warmed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*Salt and Pepper to taste (optional)
All you need to do:
Put all the main ingredients into a crock pot and set the pot on low. Let the soup cook for 7 hours.
Remove the bay leaf. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the flour and cook for a few minutes to cook off the flour taste… stirring constantly. Whisk in slowly the chicken broth. Whisk vigorously until it is smooth.
Meanwhile, warm the half and half in the microwave to take the chill off and it is warm to the touch.. not hot.
Slowly add the half and half to the saucepan… whisking constantly…
Add the mixture to the crock pot and whisk until smooth and incorporated. Add the parmesan cheese to the pot and stir. Replace the lid and cook for about 30 minutes or until desired thickness, stirring occasionally.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
