Embrace the joy of the holiday season with a warm, comforting bowl of this incredible Slow Cooker Christmas Soup. This creamy tomato basil soup is pure festive bliss, designed to bring cheer without the holiday stress. Its vibrant red, green, and white colors make it a beautiful addition to any celebration. You’ll love how incredibly easy it is to prepare, perfect for busy parents and beginners during the bustling holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Soup
This Christmas Soup will quickly become a cherished part of your holiday traditions for many reasons.
- Effortless Preparation: Your slow cooker does almost all the work, freeing you up for other festive activities.
- Rich, Creamy, Cheesy Flavor: It combines the comfort of tomato soup with the indulgent smoothness of melted Velveeta.
- Festive Colors: The red tomatoes, green basil, and creamy white base perfectly capture the spirit of Christmas.
- Perfect for Christmas Eve: Serve this hearty soup as a warm, cozy meal after a day of holiday preparations.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance or enjoy the fantastic leftovers for days to come.
- Comforting & Hearty: It’s a satisfying, warming meal that truly hits the spot during colder months.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients for this flavorful Christmas Soup is simple! We’re leaning on pantry staples to make your life easier.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: (14.5 oz) Undrained, these provide a robust tomato base.
- Canned Italian Stewed Tomatoes: (14.5 oz) Undrained, they add depth with their seasoning.
- Canned Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: (10 oz) Undrained, for a touch of mild spice and flavor.
- Vegetable Stock: (4 cups) or chicken stock for the liquid base.
- Velveeta Cheese: (1 lb) Sliced into 1-inch pieces, it melts beautifully for a creamy texture.
- Sour Cream: (1 cup) Adds a tangy, rich creaminess to the finished soup.
- Tricolor Spiral Pasta: (12 oz) Cooked 30 seconds under al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Fresh Basil: (1 Tbsp) Finely chopped, for aromatic freshness and a pop of green.
- Optional Garnish: Tortilla chips for crunch.
- Optional Garnish: Crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Notes & Substitutions
Always use canned tomatoes with their juice; do not drain them, as this liquid is crucial for the soup’s base and flavor. For the Velveeta, while it offers unparalleled creaminess, you can experiment with cream cheese or a blend of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack for a different texture. If you need a dairy-free option, look for plant-based sour cream alternatives. Any small pasta shape like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells works well if tricolor spirals are unavailable. Fresh basil truly brightens the dish, but if you only have dried, use 1 teaspoon dried basil, added with the tomatoes.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to create this delicious Christmas Soup.
- Slow cooker: A 6-quart minimum capacity is ideal for this recipe.
- Large whisk: Essential for incorporating the sour cream smoothly.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient amounts.
- Cutting board and knife: For slicing Velveeta and chopping basil.
- Large pot: To boil the pasta separately.
Instructions
Creating this delightful Slow Cooker Christmas Soup is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch.
- Combine Tomatoes & Stock: First, add all the canned tomatoes (diced, Italian stewed, and Rotel) with their juices to your slow cooker. Use a spoon to break up the larger stewed tomatoes into smaller pieces. Pour in the vegetable or chicken stock.
- Add Velveeta: Next, place the sliced Velveeta cheese evenly over the tomato mixture in the slow cooker. This cheese will melt down, contributing to the rich, creamy texture of your Christmas Soup.
- Slow Cook: Cover your slow cooker and cook the mixture on high for 1 hour. This initial cooking time allows the tomatoes to soften and the Velveeta to begin melting, infusing the broth with its cheesy goodness.
- Whisk in Sour Cream: After 1 hour, remove the lid. Add the sour cream to the soup. Use a large whisk to thoroughly blend the sour cream into the hot liquid until it is smooth and completely incorporated. Don’t worry if you see a few small white bits initially; they will dissolve as you whisk.
- Cook Pasta Separately: While the soup continues to cook, boil your tricolor spiral pasta in a separate large pot of salted water. Cook it just 30 seconds under al dente according to package directions. This step is crucial to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy in the soup.
- Add Cooked Pasta & Basil: Carefully drain the pasta. Stir the cooked pasta and the finely chopped fresh basil into the creamy tomato base in the slow cooker. Distribute them evenly throughout the soup.
- Continue Cooking: Cover the slow cooker again and continue to cook on high for another 1 hour. This final cooking period allows the flavors to meld beautifully and slightly thickens the Christmas Soup to a perfect consistency.
- Serve & Garnish: Ladle the hot, comforting Christmas Soup into bowls. Garnish generously with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, additional fresh basil, and a handful of tortilla chips for a delightful crunch. Enjoy immediately!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
To ensure your Slow Cooker Christmas Soup turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind. Prevent mushy pasta by cooking it separately and adding it to the soup only for the last hour of cooking. Always cook it slightly under al dente. If your soup is too thin, simply cook it on high for an additional 30 minutes without the lid to allow some liquid to evaporate. To thin it out, stir in more vegetable stock a quarter cup at a time until desired consistency. For a quick stovetop alternative, combine all ingredients except sour cream, pasta, and basil in a large pot, simmer for 30 minutes, then whisk in sour cream, cooked pasta, and basil. Whisking sour cream directly into the hot soup can sometimes cause tiny white bits; this is normal and will blend in with continued whisking. Enhance the flavor further with a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder added with the tomatoes.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile Christmas Soup is a fantastic meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it with crunchy tortilla chips, warm crusty bread for dipping, or a simple green salad to complete the meal. To make it ahead, prepare the soup base (everything but the pasta) and store it. Cook and add the pasta just before serving for the best texture.
To ensure food safety, the USDA recommends refrigerating leftovers within two hours of cooking. Safe storage practices for cooked soup dictate that it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes well without the pasta. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adjusting consistency with a splash of stock if needed. Add freshly cooked pasta right before serving.
Boost your Christmas Soup with protein by stirring in cooked shredded chicken, browned ground sausage, or even red lentils added with the tomatoes. For an extra vegetable punch, incorporate fresh spinach, kale, or diced bell peppers during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Control the spice level by adjusting the amount of Rotel or adding more crushed red pepper flakes at the table.
Nutrition
This hearty Christmas Soup provides a satisfying and comforting meal, packed with nutrients. Tomatoes offer essential vitamins like C and K, and antioxidants. With the added protein from the Velveeta and fiber from the vegetables, it’s a wonderfully balanced dish. Keep in mind that calorie counts can vary based on specific brands and portion sizes, especially with garnishes like tortilla chips. This recipe makes a filling and flavorful meal.
| Nutritions | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 498 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Protein | 26 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g |
| Cholesterol | 40 mg |
| Sodium | 1750 mg |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
FAQ
- Can I use a different cheese?
- Yes, you can. While Velveeta provides unique creaminess, cream cheese or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack can be substituted, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Is it spicy with the Rotel?
- The Rotel Original provides a very mild kick, more for flavor than intense heat. If you prefer it spicier, you can use hot Rotel or add extra red pepper flakes.
- Can I make this on the stovetop?
- Absolutely. Simply combine all ingredients except sour cream, pasta, and basil in a large pot, simmer for 30 minutes, then whisk in sour cream, cooked pasta, and basil.
- How to prevent pasta from getting mushy?
- Cook the pasta separately, 30 seconds under al dente, and only add it to the Christmas Soup during the final hour of slow cooking.
- Can I make it vegan?
- Yes, with modifications. Use vegetable stock, vegan Velveeta-style cheese, and plant-based sour cream alternatives.
- What sides pair well?
- Crusty bread, tortilla chips, or a simple green salad are excellent accompaniments to this rich and hearty soup.
Conclusion
This Festive & Easy Slow Cooker Christmas Soup truly embodies the spirit of the holidays: warm, comforting, and effortless. It’s the perfect solution for busy parents and beginners looking for a delicious, stress-free meal during the festive season. Its vibrant colors and rich flavors make it an instant hit with everyone. Make this creamy, cheesy Christmas Soup a new, cherished tradition in your home this year. We’d love to hear how you enjoy this delightful recipe, so share your comments below!
Festive & Easy Slow Cooker Christmas Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add all tomatoes with their juice to a slow cooker, breaking up the stewed tomatoes with a spoon.
- Stir in the stock and Velveeta cheese, then cook on high for 1 hour.
- Whisk in the sour cream until well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and fresh basil to the soup.
- Continue to cook on high for another hour to allow the soup to thicken.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with red pepper flakes, extra basil, and tortilla chips.
Notes
Taya Bennett is the founder of YumEasyMeals, a platform dedicated to easy, delicious, and quick-to-prepare recipes for busy families. Passionate about everyday cooking, she simplifies meals with practical, accessible, and always delicious ideas.
Discover her creations at: yumeasymeals.com
