{“@context”:”https://schema.org/”,”@type”:”Recipe”,”name”:”Delicious Recipe”,”author”:{“@type”:”Person”,”name”:”Recipe Author”},”datePublished”:”2024-01-26″,”description”:”A delightful recipe with easy-to-follow instructions.”,”prepTime”:”PT15M”,”cookTime”:”PT30M”,”totalTime”:”PT45M”,”recipeYield”:”6 servings”,”recipeCategory”:”Main Course”,”recipeCuisine”:”Italian”,”nutrition”:{“@type”:”NutritionInformation”,”calories”:”350 kcal”},”recipeIngredient”:[“1 lb pasta”,”1 cup tomato sauce”,”1/2 cup cheese”,”Spices to taste”],”recipeInstructions”:[{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Boil pasta according to package directions.”},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Heat tomato sauce in a saucepan.”},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Combine pasta and sauce, then add cheese and spices.”},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Serve hot.”}],”keywords”:”Keywords from row 2″,”language”:”en-US”}
Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons: A Comfort Food Classic
Is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of creamy tomato soup paired with the cheesy goodness of Grilled Cheese? This recipe takes that classic combination to the next level by transforming grilled cheese sandwiches into crispy, golden croutons. It’s the perfect meal for a chilly day, a quick lunch, or a cozy dinner. This isn’t your average canned soup – we’re using fresh ingredients and a simple technique to create a rich, flavorful, and satisfying soup that will become a family favorite.
This recipe is easy to adapt to your preferences. Want a spicier soup? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Prefer a smoother texture? Blend the soup until completely smooth. And of course, you can customize the Grilled Cheese croutons with your favorite cheeses and breads. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Comforting and Delicious: The combination of creamy tomato soup and grilled cheese is a timeless classic.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your taste preferences.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Enjoy it as a quick lunch, a cozy dinner, or a comforting snack.
- Elevated Classic: The grilled cheese croutons add a fun and delicious twist to traditional tomato soup.
Ingredients:
For the Tomato Soup:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Grilled Cheese Croutons:
- 4 slices bread (sourdough, white, or your favorite)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
Instructions:
Making the Tomato Soup:
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.
- Blend the Soup (Optional): If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches and blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
- Add Cream and Season: Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut cream) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through gently, but do not boil.
Making the Grilled Cheese Croutons:
- Prepare the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices of bread, butter-side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Top each slice with two slices of cheese, then top with the remaining slices of bread, butter-side up.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Cook the sandwiches until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Cut into Croutons: Remove the grilled cheese sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool slightly. Cut each sandwich into small cubes to create croutons.
Serving:
- Ladle the creamy tomato soup into bowls.
- Top with the grilled cheese croutons.
- Garnish with fresh basil or a dollop of sour cream (optional).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- Add Roasted Vegetables: Roast vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers alongside the onions for an even deeper flavor in the soup.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a spicier kick.
- Use Different Cheeses: Experiment with different cheeses for the grilled cheese croutons, such as Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
- Make it Vegan: Use vegetable broth, coconut cream, vegan butter, and vegan cheese to make this recipe completely vegan.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or thyme for added flavor.
- Garlic Bread Croutons: Instead of grilled cheese croutons, brush bread with garlic butter and toast in the oven for garlic bread croutons.
- Make it Ahead: The tomato soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: Tomato soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons is a delightful twist on a classic comfort food. It’s easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. The combination of rich, flavorful tomato soup and crispy, cheesy croutons is sure to please everyone. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort!
Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Ingredients
Tomato Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
- 15 ounce tomato sauce canned
- 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free
- Salt and pepper to taste
Grilled Cheese Croutons
- 4 slices bread sourdough, white, or your favorite
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 slices cheddar cheese or your favorite cheese
Instructions
Making the Tomato Soup
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.
- If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches and blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
- Stir in the heavy cream (or coconut cream) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through gently, but do not boil.
Making the Grilled Cheese Croutons
- Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices of bread, butter-side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Top each slice with two slices of cheese, then top with the remaining slices of bread, butter-side up.
- Cook the sandwiches until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the grilled cheese sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool slightly. Cut each sandwich into small cubes to create croutons.
Serving
- Ladle the creamy tomato soup into bowls.
- Top with the grilled cheese croutons.
- Garnish with fresh basil or a dollop of sour cream (optional).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
