tomato soup and grilled cheese

grilled cheese and tomato soup is the quintessential comfort duo. tangy, rich tomato soup meets the crispness of a buttery grilled cheese. perfect for days that call for a little bit of extra coziness.

this grilled cheese and tomato soup combo is all about comfort food at its finest. rich, velvety tomato soup is simmered to perfection with ripe tomatoes and aromatic herbs, accompanied by golden-crusted bread oozing with melted cheese. pair with a big drizzle of cream and a side of crunchy croutons for an extra kick of flavour and texture.

why you will love this grilled cheese and tomato soup recipe:

• easy and straightforward recipe: this grilled cheese and tomato soup recipe doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. this version skips the roasted tomatoes, making it quicker and easier to prepare without sacrificing any of that rich, tomatoey flavour. perfect for busy cooks who want to make homemade tomato soup without the extra effort.

• budget-friendly – this recipe uses basic, easily accessible staples like tomatoes, carrots, cheese and bread, making it a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on flavour.

• satisfying and filling – the grilled cheese and tomato soup combo is sure to be a hit with the whole family – it’s simple but hearty and filling, perfect for picky eaters and food enthusiasts alike.

how to make this homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup:

to make this tomato soup and grilled cheese, we need to start off by cooking onions, garlic and carrots in butter. then we’ll add our tomatoes, season with herbs and spices, add some fresh basil and then chicken stock. leave the soup to simmer until it thickens up, then blend until smooth. finish off with a swirl of cream. for the grilled cheese, we’ll slather fresh bread with mayo and butter. then we’ll add a mix of cheeses before toasting the sandwich until golden and crispy.

ingredients you will need:

• butter – use unsalted butter for this recipe. this will be used to fry our garlic and onion for some extra flavour.

• onion – i used 1 small white onion for this recipe

• garlic – we will be using 4 big cloves of garlic for this tomato soup

• carrot – this recipe uses 1 small carrot

• tomatoes – use ripe tomatoes if you can, otherwise canned tomatoes will also work.

• salt and pepper – adjust to your taste. the chicken stock will also be salty so bear that in mind when you’re adding salt.

• seasonings – i use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, red chilli powder and oregano to add some extra flavour

• tomato paste – great for extra colour and flavour in your tomato soup

• chicken stock cube/chicken stock – if you’d like to keep this tomato soup vegetarian, just swap this for vegetable stock

• water – i used a chicken stock cube for this tomato soup recipe, and added water. if you are using chicken stock, you won’t need extra water.

• basil leaves – adding fresh basil leaves adds an extra layer of flavour. if you’re unable to get fresh basil, you can use dried basil.

• brown sugar – i like to add a little extra sugar to my tomato soup but this is completely optional. usually, roasted tomatoes will have some sweetness to them but since we are not roasting the tomatoes for this recipe, i find that a small amount of sugar helps balance out the tang from the tomatoes.

• double cream/heavy cream – i like to add this in after blending the soup to make it extra rich and creamy

• bread – we’ll be using this to make our grilled cheese sandwiches

• mayo – i find that slathering your bread with a mix of butter and mayo before toasting will make your grilled cheese sandwich extra crispy

• cheeses of your choice – i used a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for my grilled cheese sandwiches but you can add whatever you like

• red chilli flakes – add a sprinkle of these on top of your cheese for a little bit of a kick

• dried parsley – i also like to add a sprinkle of this on top of the cheese before toasting

tools:

• big pot with a lid- we will be cooking all of the ingredients in one big pot and then leaving it to simmer, so make sure you have one big enough to hold everything, and a lid that fits over it.

• immersion blender – this will make it a lot easier to blend the soup straight inside the pot rather than transferring it to a blender

step by step instructions

for full measurements, keep scrolling down to the recipe below.

step one: add butter to a pan and let it melt, then add chopped onion and cook in the butter.

step two: add chopped garlic and cook this in the butter for about a minute.

step three: add chopped carrot and cook until it softens up a little bit.

step four: add ripe tomatoes, stirring them in the pot as you cook for a minute or two.

step six: add seasonings like salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, red chilli powder and oregano. then, add tomato paste, a little bit of sugar if you like, and a stock cube or chicken stock.

step seven: if you are using a stock cube, add water to the pot. then add a few fresh basil leaves. mix everything together then bring this to a boil. then, cover and leave to simmer on low heat. and then cook again on medium heat.

step eight: at this point, your soup should look thick and chunky, and your tomatoes should look very soft. remove the lid and let the soup cool a little bit before blending with an immersion blender. blend until smooth.

step nine: once your tomato soup is smooth, add heavy cream and gently stir that through. the tomato soup will be lighter in colour and creamier.

step ten: bring this to a boil again and then leave it to simmer on low heat.

step twelve: while the tomato soup is simmering, let’s make our grilled cheese sandwich. mix together butter and mayo and slather a thick layer of it on two slices of bread.

step thirteen: add some oil in a pan, then add your bread and layer with your choice of cheeses. sprinkle some red chilli flakes and dried parsley on top, then close up your sandwich with the other slice of bread. cover the pan with a lid and let this cook, then flip the sandwich and cook the other side.

step fourteen: serve your grilled cheese and tomato soup, and let’s eat!

tips and notes

• opt for ripe, flavourful tomatoes for the best tomato soup.

• experiment with cheese choices for your grilled cheese sandwich – cheddar is a classic choice for a grilled cheese but feel free to get creative. mozzarella, pepper jack or even gouda can elevate the flavour profile of your grilled cheese.

• both the tomato soup and grilled cheese can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge. just reheat the soup on the stove over low heat and cook the sandwich in a non-stick pan until golden and crispy for a quick and satisfying meal.

• if you find that the tomato soup is not creamy enough after reheating, simply add a swirl of heavy cream and stir it through.

• tomato soup can be frozen for later uses. consider freezing any extras in individual portions for convenient meals that you can heat up and eat whenever you’re craving something warm and comforting.

frequently asked questions

1. can i used canned tomatoes instead of fresh for this tomato soup?

   – yes, canned tomatoes would work just fine as an alternative for fresh tomatoes. be sure to check for salt in the ingredients list so that you can adjust the salt accordingly if there is already salt in the canned tomatoes.

2. can i make this tomato soup ahead of time and reheat it later?

   – yes, you can. this tomato soup reheats beautifully. just store it in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. when you’re ready to serve, heat up on the stove over low heat.

3. i’m lactose intolerant. can i make this tomato soup and grilled cheese recipe dairy-free?

   – you can make this recipe dairy-free by using plant-based cream and cheese alternatives. coconut cream is a great alternative to heavy cream for this tomato soup. and there are many dairy-free cheese options available that melt well and taste great in grilled cheese sandwiches.

4. what can i serve with this tomato soup and grilled cheese for a complete meal?

   – i would say that the grilled cheese and tomato soup combo is satisfying and filling all on its own, but if you’re looking for something extra, you can serve this with a side salad or some roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. alternatively, a side of croutons can add a crunchy contrast to the creamy soup and cheesy sandwich.

5. can i make this tomato soup if i don’t have an immersion blender?

   – while an immersion blender will make the process a lot easier, you can absolutely make this tomato soup without one. you can use a normal blender or food processor to blend your soup instead. simply wait for the tomato soup to cool slightly, before transferring it to your blender or food processor. do not overfill it, or it might overflow. secure the lid tightly, then blend the soup until smooth and creamy. you can then pour it back into the pot and follow the rest of the steps in this recipe.

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