Slow Cooker Tomato Tortellini Soup with Cheddar and Toast Bites 🧀🍅

This rich and creamy tomato tortellini soup is the ultimate cozy meal! Made in the slow cooker for ease, it’s loaded with comforting flavors, tender cheese tortellini, and finished with melty cheddar and crunchy homemade toast bites. Perfect for a chilly day!

Ingredients:
For the Soup:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 (9 oz) package cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
For the Toast Bites:

1 small baguette, cut into small cubes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics:
   In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Prepare the Soup Base:
   Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, heavy cream, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
3. Slow Cook:
   Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, letting the flavors blend and deepen.
4. Add Tortellini:
   About 30 minutes before serving, add the cheese tortellini to the slow cooker and stir. Let it cook until the tortellini is tender.
5. Stir in the Cheddar:
   Right before serving, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until it melts into the soup, making it creamy and extra cheesy.
6. Prepare the Toast Bites:
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, toss the baguette cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden and crispy.
7. Serve:
   Ladle the soup into bowls, top with extra cheddar cheese, fresh basil, and a handful of toast bites.