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Crockpot Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

A comforting and satisfying tortilla soup, rich in flavors and easy to prepare in a slow cooker, perfect for chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion Diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing the vegetables
  • 3.5 cups vegetable broth Low-sodium recommended
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper Diced, adjust amount for heat preference
  • 1 cup corn Frozen corn is acceptable
  • 3/4 cup dried red lentils Rinsed thoroughly
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 medium red or green bell pepper Diced
  • 3/4 cup salsa Use mild or hot based on preference
  • 15 ounces black beans Rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounces red beans Rinsed and drained
Spices and Cream
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust according to heat preference
  • 1/2 cup light cream cheese Stirred in to add creaminess
Garnishes
  • Crushed tortilla chips For topping
  • Sliced avocado For topping
  • Sour cream For topping
  • Diced jalapeños For topping
  • Chopped red onion For topping
  • Shredded cheddar For topping
  • Fresh cilantro For topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by dicing the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño.
  2. Rinse the lentils thoroughly to remove any dust or debris.
Sauté Aromatics (Optional)
  1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, jalapeño, and bell pepper. Sauté until they’re softened; this step enhances their flavors significantly.
Combine in the Crockpot
  1. Transfer the sautéed veggies into the crockpot.
  2. Pour in the vegetable broth, corn, lentils, tomato sauce, black beans, red beans, and salsa.
  3. Sprinkle in the spices and stir everything together nicely.
Cooking
  1. Cover the crockpot and set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
Final Touch
  1. About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, stir in the light cream cheese until melted and creamy.
Serving
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and let everyone customize their own with toppings like crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, a dollop of sour cream, extra jalapeños, a sprinkle of diced red onion, shredded cheddar, and fresh cilantro.

Notes

Feel free to swap out the beans or add seasonal vegetables based on what you have on hand. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to four days and can also be frozen.