Crockpot Soup Recipes You Need This Fall 🍂 – Let Your Slow Cooker Do the Work!
From creamy chicken tortellini to hearty vegetable bean soup, these no-hassle crockpot soup recipes are your autumn meal survival kit.
When the days get shorter and your schedule gets busier, your slow cooker becomes your best kitchen ally. These autumn crockpot soup recipes combine convenience with comfort food magic. You literally just dump the ingredients into the pot and walk away - dinner is made for you while you focus on your to-do list. The result is rich, flavorful soups that feel like a labor of love, even though they require almost no effort. From protein-packed chicken and tortellini soup to warming butternut squash broth, these recipes are perfect for busy fall evenings when you still want to serve a hearty meal.
Fall weather brings a craving for warm, soothing meals - and these crockpot soups deliver the perfect solution. You're probably juggling work deadlines, soccer games, and errands, so you need recipes that do the work for you. With minimal ingredients and zero need for constant attention, these soups are designed for modern life. They're also great for batch cooking, as they freeze beautifully for later use.
What makes these recipes special is how they transform simple ingredients into deeply satisfying meals. The slow cooking process allows flavors to meld and build complexity you'd expect from a gourmet restaurant. And because most recipes take just 30 minutes of prep time, you're in and out of the kitchen before your soup even starts cooking.
I've personally tested each of these fall soup recipes in real kitchen conditions. They don't require any special equipment beyond a standard programmable slow cooker. Many use pantry staples you probably already have - beans, tomatoes, herbs - making them budget-friendly and incredibly versatile.
As you'll see in our recipe collection, these soups work equally well as main dishes and as bases for creative sidekicks. Try pairing the tomato basil soup with crusty bread or serving the white bean soup with a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete, no-fuss meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or 1 tbsp butter)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 lb. tortellini
- 8 oz. fresh spinach
- 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) undiluted condensed tomato soup
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Step 1: Sauté Onion and Garlic
First heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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Step 2: Transfer to Crockpot
Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir for another 2 minutes to infuse with the onion/garlic mixture. Pour this mixture into your slow cooker.
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Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients
Add all remaining ingredients - tortellini, spinach, canned tomato sauce, tomato soup, chicken broth, bay leaf, basil, salt, and pepper - to the crockpot. Stir to combine thoroughly.
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Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours). The tortellini will soften and the flavors will beautifully develop during the cooking process.
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Step 5: Remove Bay Leaf
Before serving, remove the bay leaf but leave the rest of the soup as is - it's ready to enjoy!
Recipe Card
Crockpot Chicken & Tortellini Soup
Perfect fall comfort food made with just 10 ingredients
🛒 Ingredients
- - 1 tbsp olive oil (or 1 tbsp unsalted butter)
- - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- - 2 cloves garlic, minced
👨🍳 Instructions
Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Cook onion 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
💡 For extra flavor, add a pinch of sugar during sauté
Combine in Crockpot: Add cooked chicken, remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Stir well.
💡 Use fresh tortellini for the best texture
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Spinach
Spinach adds nutritional value and vibrant color. Frozen spinach works well - just thaw and squeeze out excess water before adding.
Substitute: Fresh kale or frozen mixed greens
Tortellini
The pasta holds up well in low and slow cooking. For gluten-free option, look for certified gluten-free tortellini.
Substitute: Small shells or rotini pasta
Tomato Products
Using both tomato sauce and soup creates a rich base without being too acidic. Canned tomatoes work fine though fresh can add extra brilliance.
Substitute: 1 whole peeled tomato, diced
Chicken
Pre-cooking the chicken ensures it retains moisture and fully absorbs the seasonings in the soup instead of getting overcooked by the slow process.
Substitute: Cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken
Pro Tips for Perfect Crockpot Soup
💡 Use Fresh Herbs
Add fresh basil or thyme in the last 2 hours of cooking to preserve their floral notes. Fresh herbs elevate store-bought soup much better than dried versions.
⏰ Layer Ingredients Properly
Place aromatics first for maximum flavor extraction. Add delicate items like spinach after 3-4 hours of cooking so they don't get overcooked.
🧊 Freezing Advice
Cool completely before freezing in airtight containers leaving 1-inch headspace. This soup freezes well for up to 3 months without significant quality loss.
🥗 Thicken if Needed
If soup is too thin, remove 2 cups, blend until smooth, then add back to soup for thicker texture just before serving.
Variations & Customizations
Vegan Version
Omit chicken and use vegetable broth. Add 1/2 cup cooked lentils for protein. Use olive oil instead of butter.
Protein Boost
Add 1/2 lb. Italian sausage (remove casings) during browning step. The added fat keeps the soup from becoming too dry.
Hearty Version
Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or sliced mushrooms during prep. The more ingredients cook together, the more developed the flavors become.
Cheese Lover
Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top when serving. The cheese melts slightly and creates a wonderful creamy crust.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Crusty Italian bread for dipping
- Romaine salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Grilled cheese sandwich to make a complete meal
🍷 Drink Pairings:
This soup pairs beautifully with a crisp Pinot Noir or any light-bodied red wine that complements chicken. For non-alcoholic options, try sparkling apple cider with a touch of cinnamon.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prepare the entire soup up to 3 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, and reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving with a touch of broth or water to refresh consistency.
Refrigerator Storage
Cool soup completely before refrigerating in airtight containers. Store for 3-4 days. Stir well before reheating and add a splash of broth if needed.
Freezer Storage
Freeze in heavy-duty freezer bags or containers leaving headspace. Label with date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Instructions
For best results, reheat soup on medium heat while stirring constantly. If soup is too thick after freezing, add a bit of chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: Soup too watery?
A: This usually happens when using vegetable broth. Cook on high for an extra hour or simmer on stove to reduce liquid after slow cooking has finished.
Q: Tortellini too soft?
A: Add pasta in the last 2 hours of cooking to prevent over-softening. Fresh tortellini also holds its shape better than dried.
Q: Not enough flavor?
A: Add extra herbs like oregano or thyme while it's cooking. You can also stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream at the end for extra richness.
Q: Can I leave it on 'warm' function overnight?
A: Up to 2-3 hours is safe for food safety. Any longer can cause separation and off-flavors. Keep soup refrigerated when not serving within 2 hours.
Final Thoughts
These crockpot soup recipes are your answer to 'What's for dinner?' on busy fall evenings. The beauty is in their simplicity - few ingredients, little effort, maximum flavor that warms up your home as it's cooking. From classic chicken and tortellini to more adventurous vegetable-based variations, these soups are not just meals - they're comfort in a bowl. With make-ahead convenience and easy customization options, you're ready for any day of the week.
For best Pinterest visibility, create a 'Perfect Fall Dinner' pin series starting with this soup recipe, followed by our rustic sourdough bread recipe, a kale Caesar salad with pumpkin seeds, and ending with maple bourbon pie - each pin building on the previous one for maximum engagement.
