A smooth, comforting tomato soup finished with crispy grilled cheese croutons made for cold winter evenings.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 35 min
Total: 50 min
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
For the grilled cheese croutons
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and cook slowly until soft and lightly golden, building a sweet and aromatic base.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking briefly until the paste darkens slightly and releases deeper tomato flavor.
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, salt, and black pepper, stirring until the mixture becomes rich and well blended.
Pour in the vegetable broth and let the soup simmer gently until the flavors fully come together and the texture thickens slightly.
Remove the pot from heat, blend the soup until smooth, then stir in the cream and return to low heat just to warm through.
While the soup cooks, butter the bread slices, sandwich the cheese between them, and cook in a skillet until golden on both sides. Cut into small crouton-sized cubes before serving.
Nutrition Facts (approx)
Calories: 360
Protein: 12g
Carbs: 28g
Fat: 22g
Quick Facts
• one-pot soup
• cold weather comfort
• family approved
• budget friendly
• freezer friendly
Tips
Cook the tomato paste briefly before adding liquid to deepen the overall flavor of the soup.
Blend the soup in batches if needed to keep the texture smooth and controlled.
Cut the grilled cheese into small cubes so they stay crisp and easy to spoon with the soup.
Variations
For a lighter version, replace the cream with whole milk or reduce the amount slightly for a softer finish.
To add extra richness, use a mix of cheeses in the grilled sandwiches instead of just one type. You can also explore other cozy combinations like in our creamy ground beef pasta where simple ingredients turn into pure comfort.
For a herby note, stir in a small amount of dried oregano or thyme near the end of cooking. If you enjoy pairing classic flavors with a fun twist, try our grilled cheese-inspired sheet pan garlic chicken for a hearty and satisfying follow-up.