Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe
Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese is the sort of meal that instantly wraps you in a cozy, nostalgic hug—creamy, tangy tomato soup served piping hot, paired with ultra-gooey, golden grilled cheese sandwiches. Whether you’re looking to bring comfort to a rainy afternoon, feed a hungry family on a busy weeknight, or relive your favorite childhood lunch, this recipe delivers all the vibrant flavors and satisfying textures with minimal fuss, using everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese proves that simple pantry staples can become something extraordinary. Each ingredient below isn’t just practical; it brings its own essential magic—flavor, creamy richness, color, or crisp texture—to create the ultimate comfort food pairing.
- Butter: Adds a silky base to both the soup and the sandwiches, layering in richness.
- Onion: Gives the soup a sweet, mellow flavor once sautéed.
- Garlic: Infuses warmth and depth—don’t skip it!
- Crushed Tomatoes: The backbone of your soup, offering bright acidity and body.
- Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Thins the soup and adds savory flavor; pick your favorite!
- Sugar: Just a touch balances out the tomatoes’ acidity.
- Dried Basil: Essential for that classic tomato soup aroma.
- Dried Oregano: Lends an earthy, herby lift.
- Salt: Pulls all the flavors into focus.
- Black Pepper: Adds just a bit of gentle heat.
- Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: Swirls in creamy decadence that makes the soup luxurious.
- Fresh Basil: For a garden-fresh, aromatic finish right before serving.
- Sandwich Bread: The canvas for your golden grilled cheese—use your favorite type!
- Cheddar or American Cheese: Melty, comforting, and kid-approved; feel free to experiment with other cheeses.
- Butter (for spreading): Helps achieve the perfectly crisp, golden sandwich crust.
How to Make Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by melting your butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it’s wonderfully soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and stir for just a minute more—this blend gives your Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese that deep, irresistible flavor base.
Step 2: Build the Soup
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, broth of your choice, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Give it all a good stir, bring the mixture up to a boil, then lower the heat and let it gently simmer for about 20 minutes. This lets all those flavors come together in perfect harmony.
Step 3: Blend to Creamy Perfection
Take the pot off the heat and blend the soup until silky smooth using an immersion blender right inside the pot. No immersion blender? Carefully ladle the soup into a blender in batches (be cautious, it’s hot!). You’ll see the color and texture change right before your eyes—creamy and dreamy.
Step 4: Finish the Tomato Soup
Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and freshly chopped basil for a luscious, velvety finish. Keep the soup warm on low heat while you prepare the sandwiches. This is where the Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese really starts to come together!
Step 5: Assemble and Grill the Cheese Sandwiches
While the soup stays warm, grab your bread and butter one side of each slice. Place half the slices buttered side down in a skillet over medium heat, top each with two slices of cheese, and cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden and the cheese is fully melted—like molten gold inside a crispy shell.
Step 6: Serve Up the Classic Combo
Slice your sandwiches on the diagonal for that familiar, inviting look, and serve piping hot alongside big steaming bowls of tomato soup. Your perfect Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese meal is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Garnishes
Dress up your bowls with a swirl of extra cream, a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil, or even a dash of cracked black pepper on top. A handful of crunchy croutons or a dusting of parmesan also gives every spoonful extra flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese is truly a meal on its own, but it welcomes simple sides like a crisp green salad, a cup of fruit, or tangy pickles for contrast. If you’re feeling adventurous, try serving with oven-roasted potato wedges or sliced apples for a little sweet bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut your grilled cheese into strips for dunking or use cookie cutters to make sandwich shapes for kids (or the kid at heart). Serve soup in mugs for sipping or hollowed-out bread bowls for a rustic touch. Mini grilled cheese “croutons” on top are always a hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the soup cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Grilled cheese is best fresh, but you can wrap cooled sandwiches tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Freezing
The soup freezes beautifully! Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little space for expansion. It will keep its flavor and creamy texture for up to 3 months. Reheat gently and stir in a splash of cream if needed to refresh the consistency. Grilled cheese can be frozen, but the bread may lose some crispness when thawed.
Reheating
To reheat the soup, simply warm it in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming (stir often!). For leftover grilled cheese, a few minutes in the oven or toaster oven restores the crunch much better than the microwave. For best results, make the sandwiches fresh while reheating the soup.
FAQs
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just peel and chop about 10-12 ripe tomatoes and simmer until very tender. The flavor will be even brighter, especially in peak tomato season. You may need to adjust for extra liquid or acidity.
What’s the best bread for grilled cheese?
Classic white sandwich bread is nostalgic and yields that perfect crunch, but sourdough, whole wheat, or even brioche all work beautifully. Sturdy bread makes for a more substantial, golden crust.
Can I make Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese vegan?
Yes! Swap in olive oil or vegan butter, use your favorite plant-based cream or coconut milk, and grab dairy-free cheese and bread. The soup’s natural flavors really shine no matter the ingredients.
What toppings go well on tomato soup?
Along with fresh basil, try grated parm, garlicky croutons, a drizzle of olive oil, or even red pepper flakes for a little heat. Toppings add flavor and turn a simple bowl into something special.
How can I make the soup even creamier?
A few extra tablespoons of heavy cream or half-and-half will give an ultra-rich texture. For a silky finish, blend in a bit more cream at the end or add a spoonful of cream cheese just before serving.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that’s simple to make, full of flavor, and brings instant comfort, you can’t go wrong with Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese. Give it a try next time you’re craving something cozy—the only thing better than how delicious it tastes is how happy it makes everyone at the table!
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Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and classic duo, this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese recipe is perfect for a cozy meal. Creamy tomato soup made with crushed tomatoes and a blend of herbs, served alongside gooey grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Grilled Cheese Ingredients:
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- 8 slices cheddar or American cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened for spreading
Instructions
- Soup: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes, then blend until smooth. Stir in cream and fresh basil.
- Grilled Cheese: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices buttered side down on a skillet. Top with cheese and remaining bread slices. Cook until golden brown and cheese is melted. Slice sandwiches and serve with soup.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the soup.
- Try mixing cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, or gruyère for extra flavor in the sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl soup + 1 sandwich
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1180mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
