This Slow Cooker Smoked Tofu and Stars Soup is the perfect comforting dish when you or a loved one isn’t feeling well. It’s warm, filling, and brings back childhood memories with its fun-shaped pasta.

Plus, it’s meatless for an easy vegetarian option. Prepared using smoked tofu, carrots, onions, celery, and small pasta stars, this hearty soup recipe makes a satisfying dinner that takes about 8 hours to prepare and serves up to 6 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 8 oz (225 g) of smoked tofu or 3/4 recipe of tea-scented tofu
• 2 tbsp (12 g) of chicken-flavored bouillon
• 8 cups (1,880 ml) of water
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tsp of dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp of Cajun seasoning (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup (100 g) of small pasta stars or other tiny pasta

How To Make Slow Cooker Smoked Tofu and Stars Soup

1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
2. Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic into the slow cooker. Add the diced carrots, diced celery, smoked tofu, chicken-flavored bouillon, water, thyme, and Cajun seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper.
3. Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Let the flavors develop as it simmers slowly.
4. Adjust Seasoning: After cooking, taste the soup and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed. Make sure the flavors are balanced.
5. Add the Pasta (Immediate Serving): If you plan to serve the soup immediately, add 1 cup of pasta stars 20 minutes before serving. Cook until the pasta is al dente.
6. Add the Pasta (Future Serving): If serving throughout the week or freezing, cook the pasta separately on the stove. Add the pasta to the soup right before serving to avoid it becoming mushy.

Recipe Tips

• Add More Veggies: For added nutrition and texture, stir in chopped spinach or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking. This boosts vitamins and adds a fresh flavor to the soup.
• Use Different Tofu Flavors: If you enjoy a deeper taste, swap smoked tofu for marinated tofu with your favorite seasoning, such as teriyaki or chili-lime, for a fun twist on the original recipe.
• Switch the Pasta: For a heartier bite, substitute the small pasta stars with orzo or ditalini. Adjust the cooking time to match the new pasta’s required cook time.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Replace the pasta with gluten-free alternatives, such as rice-based pasta or gluten-free macaroni, to keep the dish gluten-free without sacrificing the soup’s texture or taste.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Lamb Shank Soup
• Slow Cooker Seafood Chowder
• Slow Cooker Cream of Mushroom Soup