Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup is the best classic combo! Here’s how to create outstanding versions of both.
What could be more intimate than a glowing shell Tomato soup and grilled cheese? Something about this American classic stands out at any time of the year, whether it’s the dead of winter or a summer afternoon. The best version of this meal isn’t canned or made with American cheese (sorry!). It’s a steaming bowl of homemade tomato soup flavored with tangy fire-roasted tomatoes and a gooey gourmet grilled cheese with a hint of smoked Gouda. Here’s how to make them and some tips on making them for a crowd (like oven-baked grilled cheese!).
How to make homemade tomato soup: a few tips!
Every cook needs a great homemade tomato soup recipe, and this is ours! It relies on a few simple ingredients to create great flavor. It only takes 25 minutes to prep and you can let it simmer while you make the grilled cheese! Here are some tips for making this easy soup:
- Tomatoes roasted over a fire provide the best flavor. This type of canned tomato is roasted over a flame before canning, giving it a sweeter flavor right out of the can. That means you get by with less cooking time! Most major grocery stores in the United States now carry this type, but if you can’t find it, just use the best quality you can find.
- Quickly stir the soup! You can use a regular blender or an immersion blender which gives a nice creamy texture and helps emulsify the oil.
- Add fresh basil (optional) and some butter. Fresh basil adds a nice and tangy flavor, but it doesn’t have to be! We like to finish the soup with butter for a rich, silky mouthfeel.
Tips for a gourmet grilled cheese
You can prepare any type of grilled cheese with this tomato soup. But our favorite is this gourmet grilled cheese! A few small tweaks are all it takes to take this classic sandwich from good to great. Here’s what you need to know:
- Use sourdough bread or another type of artisan bread or crusty bread. The good bread makes the sandwich!
- Mix together the grated smoked gouda and cheddar cheese. The hint of smoked cheese adds flavor to this sandwich unbelievable! Shredded cheese is ideal for a grilled cheese as it makes the inside most gooey and gooey (avoid slices).
- Add a cute element. The combination of sweet with salty takes it to another level! Try tomato, fig or apricot jam or a thinly sliced apple or pear.
Make it for a crowd: grilled cheese in the oven
Let’s say you make this grilled cheese and tomato soup for a crowd – it means something other than 2 people. Should you make every sandwich to order? Yes you can. Or you can make grilled cheese in the oven! Here are two ways to prepare grilled cheese for a crowd:
- Make grilled cheese in the oven! This method allows you to cook a large number of sandwiches at once. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the sandwiches as described in the recipe below. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 6 minutes on each side (if not, alternate every minute or so until golden).
- Or make the grilled cheese and keep it warm in the oven! Make the sandwiches on the stovetop, then wrap in foil and keep warm in a 250 degree oven.
Step it up: Make grilled cheese dips
A fun way to make this meal even more fun? Cut your grilled cheese sandwich into dips! All you have to do is cut it into 1 1/2″ strips. Then dip in the soup and enjoy!
What to serve with grilled cheese and tomato soup
This grilled cheese and tomato soup works as a standalone meal, but you can add fresh veggies or fruit to the mix. Here are some ideas for other foods to add:
More tomato soup recipes
Would you like a different version of tomato soup…or grilled cheese? Here are some additional ideas:
This recipe for grilled cheese and tomato soup is…
Vegetarian.
The description
Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup is the best classic combo! Here’s how to create outstanding versions of both.
For the tomato soup (serves 4):
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 28 ounce can and 1 15 ounce can of chopped fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 pint vegetable soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, shared
- 2 tablespoons Salted butter
- Optional: ½ cup chopped fresh basil, 1 dash heavy cream
For the grilled cheese (for 1 sandwich; multiply as you like):
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 sourdough bread slices
- 3 at 4 grated smoked Gouda cheese
- 3 at 4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese (or other cheese of your choice)
- 1 tbsp fig, tomato or apricot jam, 1 teaspoon honey, or 6 apple or pear slices
- Start the soup: Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until light brown and fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in the two cans of tomatoes, vegetable stock, garlic powder, onion powder, ½ tsp salt, and basil (if using). Bring to a boil.
- Cook a soup: Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly and the tomato flavor is softened.
- Meanwhile, prepare the grilled cheese: Spread mayonnaise on the outside of each bread slice and jam or honey on the inside of one of the slices. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add a slice of bread, mayonnaise-side down. Top with grated cheese (and apple if using) and another slice of bread. Bake until the bread is golden brown and toasted, then flip and bake a few more minutes until the second slice of bread is toasted and the cheese is hot. If making multiple sandwiches, prepare as directed, then bake on an oiled or parchment-lined baking sheet at 450 degrees F, about 5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Finish the soup: Submerge or gently place the soup in a blender and puree until smooth (this step will make it creamier; you can skip this step if you’re ok with the unchanged texture). Then stir in the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons salted butter. You can also stir in some whipped cream for a richer soup.
- Category: main course
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: American
- Diet: vegetarian
Keywords: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
