If you’re on the hunt for comfort food that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious, this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe is your new go-to. Imagine dipping a golden, gooey grilled cheese sandwich into a steaming bowl of velvety tomato soup—every spoonful and bite brings warmth, tang, and just a hint of indulgence. This recipe strikes that magical balance between familiar and special, making it ideal for weeknights, lazy Sundays, or whenever you need a little culinary hug.

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of the Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe lies in everyday ingredients that transform into something extraordinary. Each one is essential, layering flavors, aromas, and classic textures you crave in every comforting bite and sip.

Olive Oil: Provides a rich base and helps mellow and sweeten the onion and garlic.
Onion: Adds gentle sweetness and depth to the soup.
Garlic: Gives a savory, aromatic kick that enhances every spoonful.
Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor for deeper complexity.
Dried Basil: Brings a sweet, herby note that’s classic with tomatoes.
Dried Oregano: Adds earthy, Mediterranean vibes to the broth.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a little gentle heat that wakes up your palate.
Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz can): The backbone of the soup with bright, tangy flavor.
Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Thins the soup to the perfect consistency and boosts savoriness.
Sugar: Balances acidity for a mellow finish.
Salt and Black Pepper: Crucial for bringing out all the flavors.
Heavy Cream or Whole Milk: Delivers silkiness and richness in every spoonful.
Butter: Swirled in at the end, it gives a luxurious sheen and flavor.
Sourdough or White Bread: Your foundation for a crisp, sturdy sandwich.
Cheddar Cheese: Melts to oozy perfection and delivers sharp, creamy flavor.
Additional Butter for Spreading: Essential for that golden, irresistible crust on your bread.

How to Make Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and let it sweat for about 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until it’s soft and translucent. This step infuses the oil with gentle sweetness, providing the ultimate base for your soup.

Step 2: Build the Flavor

Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. Let everything cook for about a minute—this quick sizzle unlocks irresistible aromatics that will fill your kitchen with warmth.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup

Next, pour in the crushed tomatoes, your broth of choice, sugar, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes. This is when all the flavors mingled together and developed that rich, homemade taste.

Step 4: Blend Until Silky Smooth

Once your kitchen smells heavenly, take the soup off the heat. Use an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully ladle the soup into a blender in batches, and blend until you reach your desired smoothness. Take care with the hot liquid, and don’t forget to vent the blender lid if using one!

Step 5: Finish with Creaminess

Stir in the heavy cream or whole milk and the butter until your soup becomes lush and velvety. Taste, and adjust the salt and pepper as needed—a little extra seasoning goes a long way at this stage.

Step 6: Make the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

While the soup stays warm, heat up a skillet over medium. Butter one side of each bread slice. Lay half the slices, butter-side down, onto the skillet, top with plenty of cheddar, then cover each with the other bread slices, buttered side up. Grill for 2–3 minutes per side until the bread is golden and crisp, and the cheese has melted into gooey perfection. Slice each sandwich in half for easier dunking. Serve together with your beautiful bowl of Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe.

How to Serve Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

Take your soup to the next level by finishing with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of fresh basil or thyme, or even a crack of black pepper on top. Homemade croutons or a swirl of cream can make each bowl look— and taste— restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

This duo really is a meal on its own, but if you’re hosting or simply want to go all-out, pair it with a fresh, crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or even a little bowl of marinated olives for some tangy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe in mugs with grilled cheese sticks on the side for dipping. Or, cut the sandwiches into small triangles and arrange them around a soup-filled platter—instant party food! Mini grilled cheese dippers with shot glasses of soup also make an adorable appetizer for gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra soup, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to four days. Grilled cheese is best eaten fresh, but you can wrap leftovers in foil and store in the fridge for up to two days.

Freezing

The soup is perfect for freezing—just pour cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little room for expansion, and store for up to three months. Leave out the cream if you plan to freeze, and stir it in when reheating for best texture.

Reheating

To reheat the soup, warm it gently on the stove over medium-low heat until hot, stirring in the cream or milk at the end if needed. If reheating grilled cheese, use a toaster oven or skillet to help crisp it back up instead of microwaving, which can make the bread soggy.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe dairy free?

Absolutely! Just swap out the butter, cheese, and milk for your favorite plant-based alternatives. There are fantastic vegan cheeses and plant-based milks that melt and taste amazing in this recipe.

What’s the best bread to use for grilled cheese?

Sourdough is my personal favorite, thanks to its tang and hearty texture, but white sandwich bread or even whole-grain work really well. The key is choosing a bread that crisps up nicely in the pan but holds up to dipping.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

You can! Peel, core, and roughly chop about 2 1/2 pounds of ripe tomatoes and simmer them down in place of the canned ones. The flavor will be even fresher, especially during tomato season.

Do I really need to blend the soup?

For that velvety texture classic to Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe, blending is the secret. If you prefer a chunkier, rustic soup, feel free to leave it unblended or blend just part of it for some texture.

What cheese works best for the grilled cheese?

Sharp cheddar is classic for its meltiness and punch of flavor. Don’t be afraid to mix in mozzarella, provolone, or even a little Swiss if you want a gooier or more complex sandwich.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving pure comfort with minimal fuss, I can’t recommend this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe enough. It’s simple, adaptable, and sure to please everyone at the table. Give it a try and enjoy moments of cozy nostalgia, one bite and sip at a time!

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the classic comfort food combo with this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe. The rich, creamy tomato soup pairs perfectly with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk

Grilled Cheese:

2 tablespoons butter
4 slices of sourdough or white bread
4 slices cheddar cheese
Additional butter for spreading

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Instructions

Soup: In a large pot, heat olive oil. Sauté onion until soft. Add garlic, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add tomatoes, broth, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer, then blend until smooth. Stir in cream.
Grilled Cheese: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place cheese between slices. Grill until golden and cheese melts.