Cozy Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

Simmering with comfort, this easy tomato soup mingles memories of childhood warmth and culinary simplicity.

Ripe tomatoes blend into a silky canvas of flavor, promising pure satisfaction.

Homemade goodness speaks through each spoonful, inviting pure delight.

Crispy grilled cheese croutons add a playful crunch that transforms ordinary soup into something extraordinary.

Minimal ingredients create maximum pleasure in this straightforward recipe.

Kitchen magic happens when you combine these humble components with love.

Jump in and savor every delicious moment of this classic comfort dish.

Soup and Crouton FAQs for Comfort Food Fans

• Can I use a different type of cheese for the croutons?

Yes, you can substitute Gruyère with cheddar, Swiss, or provolone for a different flavor profile while maintaining a good melting quality.

• Is it necessary to use saffron in the tomato soup?

No, saffron is optional. If you don’t have it or find it expensive, you can skip it without significantly altering the soup’s overall taste.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock to create a vegetarian version of the tomato soup.

• How can I make the soup creamier?

Add an extra splash of heavy cream or stir in a dollop of cream cheese to increase the soup’s richness and create a more velvety texture.

What Makes This Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Duo Special

• Tackle Quick Comfort Food: Perfect for busy home cooks who want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Boost Family Mealtime Magic: Kids and adults will love the playful twist of crispy grilled cheese cubes transforming a classic soup into an interactive, fun dining experience that brings everyone together around the table.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like using vegetable stock for a vegetarian version or experimenting with different cheese types allows personal creativity and keeps the recipe feeling fresh and exciting every time you make it.
• Master Gourmet-Level Simplicity: Professional restaurant-style presentation meets home cooking charm, creating a dish that looks impressive but requires basic cooking skills and common kitchen tools.

What You Need for Tomato Soup and Cheese Croutons

• Chicken Stock: A flavorful liquid base that adds depth to the tomato soup.
• Crushed Tomatoes: The primary ingredient that gives the soup its rich tomato flavor and smooth texture.
• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth base for sautéing and adds a subtle flavor to the soup.

• Onions: Adds a sweet and savory foundation to the soup's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic element to enhance the overall taste.
• Saffron: Introduces a unique, delicate flavor and golden color to the soup.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, creamy texture and rounds out the soup's flavor.
• Orzo: Adds a delightful pasta element to make the soup more substantial.
• Bread, Gruyère Cheese, Butter: Key components for creating the crispy and cheesy grilled cheese croutons.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and enhance the soup's overall taste.

How to Make Tomato Soup with Crunchy Toppings

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally until they turn golden and soft.

This process develops a rich, sweet foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Awaken the Garlic

Introduce minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for about one minute, releasing its fragrant aroma throughout the pot.

Step 3: Build the Soup Foundation

• Chicken stock
• Crushed tomatoes
• Saffron
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a robust boil, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Reduce heat and let the soup gently simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the ingredients to create a harmonious blend of tastes.

Step 5: Add Creamy Texture

Cook orzo in salted water until tender. Drain the pasta and fold it into the soup.

Pour in heavy cream and continue simmering for an additional 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Prepare Grilled Cheese Croutons

Warm a panini grill or skillet.

Butter one side of bread slices. Layer Gruyère cheese between bread slices, ensuring the buttered sides face outward.

Grill until golden brown and cheese melts completely.

Step 7: Transform Grilled Cheese into Croutons

Let the grilled cheese rest for a minute, then slice into bite-sized cubes.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and generously scatter the crispy grilled cheese croutons on top. Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness.

Cooking Tips for Creamy Soup and Toasty Croutons

• Elevate your tomato soup game with these expert tips
• – Caramelize onions slowly to develop rich, sweet flavor depth without burning.
• – Choose San Marzano crushed tomatoes for authentic, robust tomato taste and smooth texture.
• – Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that maintains creamy consistency.
• – Toast saffron threads briefly before adding to intensify their delicate, aromatic profile.
• – Use day-old sourdough bread for croutons to ensure extra crispy, golden-brown texture that holds up in soup.

Tomato Soup Ideas You’ll Want to Try

• Mediterranean Herb Splash: Replace saffron with fresh basil, oregano, and thyme. Add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Incorporate diced green chiles, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Top with crispy chorizo bits instead of grilled cheese croutons.
• Roasted Vegetable Boost: Blend roasted red peppers and caramelized garlic into the soup base. Swap orzo with quinoa for extra protein and texture.
• Creamy Pesto Fusion: Stir in homemade basil pesto before serving. Replace Gruyère with mozzarella in grilled cheese croutons for an Italian-inspired touch.

What Goes Best with Tomato Soup and Cheese

• Complement Creamy Tomato Soup's Rich Flavors
• – Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Bright, acidic white wine cuts through the soup's creaminess and enhances tomato's tangy notes.
• – Match with Herb-Roasted Chicken: Lean protein balances the soup's richness and provides a complementary texture contrast.
• – Serve Alongside Arugula Salad: Peppery greens with light vinaigrette offer a fresh, zesty counterpoint to the warm, creamy soup.
• – Recommend Chardonnay Alternative: Unoaked version provides subtle buttery undertones that harmonize with the soup's creamy profile.

Storing Tomato Soup for Another Cozy Night

• Refrigerate: Store soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months. Separate croutons to maintain crispness.
• Reheat Stovetop: Thaw soup overnight in refrigerator. Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken stock if too thick.
• Microwave Option: Transfer soup to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Crisp croutons separately in toaster oven or skillet to restore crunchiness.

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 47 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets creativity in this mouthwatering Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, blending classic flavors into a delightful culinary experience. Crispy, golden croutons add a satisfying crunch that elevates this simple soup into a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 cups yellow onions, chopped (about 2 medium onions)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)

Tomato and Stock Base:

• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta
• 1 large pinch saffron threads

Dairy and Seasoning:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Grilled Cheese Croutons:

• 4 slices country white bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
2. Sauté onions slowly on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring periodically until they transform into a rich golden hue.
3. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for approximately one minute.
4. Pour in chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, saffron, salt, and pepper, then elevate the mixture to a rolling boil.
5. Reduce heat and allow the soup to gently simmer, developing deep flavors for 15 minutes.
6. Simultaneously, prepare orzo in salted boiling water, cooking for 7 minutes before draining completely.
7. Incorporate cooked orzo into the simmering soup, then blend in heavy cream, continuing to cook for an additional 10 minutes while stirring consistently.
8. For the grilled cheese croutons, preheat a panini grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
9. Generously brush bread slices with melted butter on one side, creating a golden exterior.
10. Layer Gruyère cheese on the unbuttered side of bread, then construct sandwiches with buttered sides facing outward.
11. Grill sandwiches for approximately 5 minutes until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior and fully melted cheese.
12. Allow sandwiches to rest for one minute, then carefully cube into bite-sized pieces.
13. Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish generously with freshly cut grilled cheese croutons.

Notes

• Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting the amount of chicken stock or cream to suit your preferred consistency.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that still adds richness.
• Toast whole wheat or gluten-free bread for the croutons to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor.
• Enhance the soup’s depth by roasting tomatoes before adding them, which intensifies their natural sweetness and complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 37 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 429
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 675 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 66 mg