Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Recipe Introduction: Comfort in a Bowl
Ever find yourself craving something that tastes like home? Something warm and satisfying? Then you need good soup recipes in your life! This creamy tomato soup is just that.
It’s comfort food turned up to eleven.
A Taste of Italy (Without the Airfare)
This isn't just any tomato soup. This recipe has roots in classic Italian cooking but with a modern twist. It's easy enough for a weeknight meal, clocking in at about 45 minutes from start to finish.
It yields 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner or cozy night in. Fancy something more adventurous? Then you can always try Italian Sausage Parmesan Soup 12 Tomatoes in a similar fashion.
Why You'll Love This Soup
Honestly, what's not to love? The creamy texture, the bright tomato flavour, and those grilled cheese croutons! This soup is packed with vitamin C from the tomatoes.
Plus, it's incredibly versatile. It is one of the best soup recipes for winter . Need a pick-me-up on a gloomy day? This is it.
It also can be served as starter alongside a classic lasagne for family gatherings. Speaking of cold nights, you cannot go wrong with some warm soup recipes .
The Creamy Tomato Dream Team: Your Ingredients
Alright, let's gather our troops for this culinary adventure. We will need 2 tablespoons olive oil. You will need 1 large onion, chopped.
Followed by 2 cloves garlic, minced. Then, 28 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes. Finally, 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and fresh basil.
For the grilled cheese we will need 4 bread slices, 2 tablespoons butter, and 4 cheddar cheese slices.
The best thing about this is that you do not have to go overboard with the shopping, since all these ingredients are pantry staples! In the other hand, if you are feeling brave, you can try to make your own homemade tomato soup
Now that you have these ingredients at your disposal, it's time to move on to the method.
Quick Tips
For a richer flavour, roast those tomatoes before blending. This will unlock an intensity that's simply divine! I find this is true for most comfort food recipes .
Always, always taste as you go. It's your kitchen, your rules! Feel free to add more seasoning as you see fit.
Looking for quick soup recipes ? Skip roasting and you're still golden! And if you're feeling wild, try throwing in some sausage soup recipes to shake things up!
Ingredients & Equipment
Alright, let's chat about what you'll need for this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons . Don't worry, it's not rocket science.
This is the type of comfort food recipes we can all use!
Main Players
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . This is key for sauteing.
- Onion: 1 large , chopped. About 1 cup . White or yellow will do nicely.
- Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always best!
- Canned Crushed Tomatoes: 28 ounces (794g) . Splurge on good quality ones for the best flavor. Seriously, makes all the difference.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: 14.5 ounces (411g) , undrained. Don't drain them, you want that lovely juice.
- Vegetable Broth: 4 cups (946ml) , low sodium. Adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Essential for that Italian flavour.
- Dried Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) . A perfect partner to basil.
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) , optional. For a little kick.
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Balances out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste. Seasoning is everything!
- Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup (118ml) . Makes it super creamy.
- Fresh Basil: For garnish, optional. Makes it look fancy.
- Bread: 4 slices , your fave. Sourdough is lush!
- Butter: 2 tablespoons (30g) , softened. For that golden goodness.
- Cheddar Cheese: 4 slices . Again, your fave.
I always go for the best canned tomatoes I can find. Honestly, it makes a HUGE difference! Think San Marzano or something similar.
They just taste so much sweeter. Speaking of homemade tomato soup ....my Nan always said it was the secret to a happy life.
Seasoning Sensations
Basil and oregano are a match made in heaven! This is the base for many good soup recipes . A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a lovely warmth.
You could even use a dash of hot sauce if you're feeling brave. If you don't have fresh basil, dried will do, but fresh is always better.
These simple combinations make the perfect warm soup recipes .
Gear Up!
You'll need a large pot or Dutch oven. An immersion blender is super handy. If you don't have one, a regular blender works, but be CAREFUL when blending hot liquids.
A skillet for those cheesy croutons. And the usual suspects: cutting board, knife, measuring spoons, cups.
Honestly, this recipe is pretty forgiving. You don't need fancy equipment. I've made this with just a saucepan and a spoon before.
It's all about the flavor, not the gadgets. This is one of the best soup recipes for winter . It's also a quick soup recipes that's pure comfort food recipes .
And who doesn't love tomato soup with grilled cheese ? It's a classic for a reason!
Making Magic: Cooking Method for Creamy Tomato Soup
Honestly, who doesn't love a good soup recipes , especially when it's super easy and tastes like a warm hug? I’m talking about a proper, flavourful bowl of Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons.
This isn't your average canned stuff. We're talking next level comfort. Some of the best comfort food recipes involve soup.
Trust me, you'll be chuffed with this one! It tastes like a warm summer day.
Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Mission
First things first, let's get organised. This is the essential mise en place . Chop that large onion (about 1 cup), mince those two cloves of garlic, and grab your canned crushed tomatoes (28 ounces/794g) and canned diced tomatoes (14.
5 ounces/411g). Measure out those spices. Having everything ready means no panicking later. For safety, always use a stable cutting board when chopping.
It saves fingers! Remember: Time saving organization is key.
From Hob to Heaven: The step-by-step Process
Right, let's get cooking!
- Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
- Toss in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant about a minute. Smells divine, doesn't it?
- Stir in the crushed and diced tomatoes, 4 cups (946ml) of vegetable broth (low sodium), 1 teaspoon (5ml) of dried basil , 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) of dried oregano , 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) of red pepper flakes (optional), and 1 teaspoon (5ml) of sugar .
- Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat down low and cook for 20 minutes , stirring now and then. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This gives the tomato soup recipe easy flavour building time.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until it's smooth and creamy. Or, carefully transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches. Hot soup and blenders? Be careful!
- Stir in 1/2 cup (118ml) of heavy cream and heat through. Don’t let it boil! Boiling can cause the cream to split.
- For the grilled cheese croutons, butter one side of each of the four slices of bread. Place two slices of bread, butter side down, in a skillet over medium heat. Top each with two slices of cheddar cheese and then the remaining slice of bread, butter side up. Cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. This should take between 2- 4 minutes per side .
- Cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into small cubes. Serve the soup, ladled into bowls and topped with the grilled cheese croutons. If you fancy, garnish with fresh basil.
Pro Tips for Soup Superstars
Want to take it up a notch? Try roasting the tomatoes with the onion and garlic before you add them to the pot.
Roasting brings out a deeper flavour. Also, don’t over blend the soup; it can get gummy. Seasoning is key. Taste as you go and adjust the salt, pepper, and sugar to your liking.
You know, even the best soup recipes for winter need a little tweak to make them perfect for your taste.
Honestly, it's all about the flavour. And a bit of cheese never hurts.
If you are fond of warm soup recipes , you can even try Italian Sausage Parmesan Soup 12 Tomatoes or Creamy Italian Parmesan Sausage Soup Crockpot.
If you have time and want to cook with this dish, there are many Sausage Soup Recipes . If you like a tomato soup with grilled cheese and want quick soup recipes , or looking for Comfort food recipes , you should try this recipe.
Recipe Notes
Alright, let's get down to the nitty gritty. I'm not going to lie, this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons is pretty darn simple, but a few tips can make it amazing .
And you know what? Finding good soup recipes can sometimes be a bit of a mission, but trust me, this one's a winner.
Serving It Up Right
Listen, presentation matters, yeah? Try serving the soup in warmed bowls for that extra bit of oomph . A swirl of cream and a sprinkle of fresh basil makes it look fancy.
For sides? A simple green salad works a treat, or even some crusty bread to mop up every last drop of that delicious homemade tomato soup .
Thinking of drinks? A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is lovely. Honestly, this is proper comfort food recipes territory, so go wild.
Storage: No Soup Left Behind
Right, so you've made a batch, and you're full as a tick? Pop the leftover soup in an airtight container.
It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing? Absolutely! Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer safe container.
It'll keep for about 2 months. When you're ready to eat, defrost it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob, stirring often.
Remember, don't let it boil once you've added the cream!
Twists and Turns
Fancy a change? For a bit of a kick, chuck in an extra pinch of red pepper flakes. Spicy tomato soup recipe easy ? Sorted! Got vegan mates coming over? Swap the cream for coconut cream.
It’s delicious. For a winter warmer why not try some warm soup recipes .
Bits and Bobs of Nutrition
Okay, so each serving clocks in at roughly 450 calories, 15g protein, 30g fat and 35g carbs. But honestly, who's counting? Tomatoes are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, so you're basically doing your body a favour.
It’s one of the best soup recipes for winter in my opinion!
Honestly, give this tomato soup with grilled cheese a go. It's a belter! Even if you think you can't cook, this is so simple.
And it's the kind of thing that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So go on, give it a whirl!.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this creamy tomato soup recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, some argue that it tastes even better the next day, like a good stew. Just let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Hold off on adding the grilled cheese croutons until you're ready to serve, otherwise they'll get soggy.
What are some good soup recipes that are similar to this?
If you fancy something along the same lines, have a look at roasted red pepper soup. For a heartier soup, consider a classic minestrone. If you're feeling adventurous, a butternut squash soup with a swirl of cream can be a real crowd pleaser.
How can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
Making this soup vegetarian is already built in with the recipe. To make it vegan, swap out the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream it'll still give you that lovely richness.
For the grilled cheese croutons, use your favourite vegan cheese, or ditch the cheese altogether and use a garlic butter spread with vegan butter.
Help! My tomato soup is too acidic. What can I do?
A little sugar, as in the recipe, often does the trick. If it's still too acidic, try adding a pinch of baking soda be careful, it can bubble up! Stir it in and taste; repeat sparingly until the acidity is balanced.
You could also add a knob of butter or a splash more cream, as fat helps to mellow out the acidity.
Can I freeze this creamy tomato soup?
You certainly can! Allow the soup to cool completely before portioning it into freezer safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Remember to leave some headspace in the containers as liquids expand when frozen. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
It might separate a little upon thawing, but a good stir will bring it back together. Again, leave off those croutons until serving.
I'm looking for healthy and good soup recipes is tomato soup a good choice? What are the nutritional benefits?
Absolutely! Tomato soup can be a surprisingly healthy choice, especially when made from scratch. Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants like lycopene, which is linked to various health benefits.
Just be mindful of the sodium content (especially in canned tomatoes and broth), and you can easily adjust it to suit your needs. Also control the fat content by choosing reduced fat cream or milk alternatives.
Creamy Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese Croutons
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 35g |
