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Slow Cooker Spicy Tomato, Tortellini and Chilli Soup
This vegetarian slow cooker spicy tomato tortellini and chilli soup from Bored of Lunch is an easy dish for cold days.
SERVES
6
CALORIES
184
DIFFICULTY
simple
Tomato soup with pasta, this is real comfort food. You can roast the tomatoes before they go in the slow cooker which will give you a greater depth of flavour but, if you don’t have time, you can just throw it all in together and leave it to do its thing. As with all these soup recipes, you can make this on the hob but your slow cooker will save on energy and require less of your attention. Slow cooker recipe is from my book Bored of Lunch Healthy Slow Cooker: Even Easier.
Can you cook tortellini in the slow cooker?
Yes – tortellini can be added directly to the slow cooker soup towards the end of cooking. It only needs 15–30 minutes on high to cook through in the hot tomato broth. This keeps the pasta from going too soft or falling apart.
Do I need to cook the tortellini before adding it to the slow cooker?
No pre-cooking needed. Add the tortellini straight into the slow cooker for the last part of cooking. It absorbs the flavour of the spicy tomato soup and saves on washing up too.
What kind of tortellini works best in this soup?
Fresh or chilled tortellini from the supermarket works best – cheese, spinach or even meat-filled tortellini all taste great in this slow cooker soup. You can use frozen too, just allow an extra 5–10 minutes of cook time.
Can I make this soup less spicy?
Of course. If you prefer a milder tomato soup, reduce the amount of fresh chilli or chilli flakes, or leave it out altogether. You can always add spice at the end to suit individual tastes.
How long should I cook this tomato soup in the slow cooker?
Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours. This gives the flavours time to develop and makes the soup base beautifully rich before adding the tortellini at the end.
Can I freeze this slow cooker soup?
You can freeze the spicy tomato soup base before adding the tortellini. Once you’ve added the pasta, it’s best enjoyed fresh to avoid sogginess after defrosting.
What should I serve with this tortellini soup?
This hearty slow cooker tomato soup is filling on its own, but it pairs perfectly with crusty bread, garlic ciabatta or a simple green salad.
More slow cooker soup recipes
For more slow cooker soup recipes like this one, head over to:
Method
Step 1
If you have time, preheat the oven to 180°C. Add the tomatoes to a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes.
Step 2
Add to the slow cooker with all the remaining ingredients, except the tortellini. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
Step 3
Blitz with a handheld blender, then stir in your tortellini and cook on high for 10–15 minutes. Serve in bowls, garnished with extra basil leaves.
Step 4
TIP The better the quality of ripe tomatoes you can find, the tastier this soup will be.
Ingredients
12 tomatoes, quartered
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1 red chilli, sliced
5 garlic cloves, crushed or sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
handful of fresh basil, plus extra leaves to garnish
1 tsp dried oregano
1 litre vegetable stock
250g shop-bought fresh tortellini of your choice
salt and pepper, to taste
