Is there a more iconic comfort food duo than tomato soup and grilled cheese? 🍴 This timeless classic has warmed hearts and bellies worldwide with its perfect balance of creamy, tangy tomato soup paired with ooey-gooey golden grilled cheese. Whether you’re curling up on a cozy fall evening or hosting a party with a fun twist like tomato soup and grilled cheese shooters, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds).
I’ll show you how to pull together an easy tomato soup and grilled cheese recipe that is delicious, versatile, and packed with flavor, with options to customize for every occasion—whether it’s a casserole, party appetizer, or a classic family dinner. Let’s dive in!
Recipe Overview (Quick Snapshot!)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings of soup & sandwiches
- Skill Level: Beginner-friendly (but impressive enough for pros!)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe 🥰
This isn’t just another tomato soup recipe with grilled cheese—we’re elevating the classics with simple techniques, bold flavors, and endless versatility! Here’s why this duo is a must-make:
- Easy & foolproof: Perfect for beginners or busy nights.
- Customizable for ANY occasion: Make it a creamy soup, baked casserole, party-ready shooters, or classic sandwich pairing.
- Maximizes flavor: Roasting fresh tomatoes and garlic takes the soup to the next level.
- Feel-good ingredients: Ditch the cans and embrace fresh, wholesome flavors (but I’ll show you hacks for shortcuts like Campbell Tomato Soup recipes too!).
Ingredients (Your Shopping List 🛒)
To make this tomato soup and grilled cheese recipe, here’s what you’ll need:
For the Soup:
- Fresh tomatoes (grape tomatoes or juicy vine-ripened ones work best!)
- Garlic cloves: Roasted for depth and sweetness.
- Onion: Adds richness to the soup base.
- Olive oil: For roasting those tomatoes to sweet, caramelized perfection.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: Your choice! (Vegetable for a vegetarian-friendly option.)
- Basil leaves: For fresh, fragrant flavor.
- Heavy cream or half-and-half: Optional for creaminess.
- Salt and pepper (and a pinch of sugar, if needed!).
For the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:
- Bread: Thick sourdough or hearty white loaf is perfect.
- Cheese: A combo of sharp cheddar and melty mozzarella for the ultimate gooey interior.
- Butter: To crisp and toast your sandwich to golden-brown perfection.
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card for full measurements and detailed instructions.
How to Make Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to create the best-ever tomato soup from scratch, paired with irresistible grilled cheese sandwiches!
1️⃣ Roast the Veggies:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread halved fresh grape tomatoes, garlic cloves, and sliced onion on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized. This step enhances the natural sweetness of the tomatoes! ❤️
2️⃣ Blend the Soup Base:
Transfer the roasted veggies to a blender (or use an immersion blender). Add broth, fresh basil, and optional cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pro Tip: Keep it a little chunky if you like texture!
3️⃣ Simmer on the Stove:
Pour the blended soup into a pot and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste-test for seasoning and adjust with salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
4️⃣ Grill the Sandwiches:
Spread butter generously on two slices of bread. Layer your cheese between the slices, keeping the buttered sides out. Grill in a hot skillet until golden brown and the cheese is melty perfection—about 3-4 minutes per side. Pro Tip: Press the sandwiches gently with a spatula for a golden, crispy crust!
5️⃣ Serve & Savor!
Ladle the warm tomato soup into bowls or small cups if serving as appetizer shooters, garnish with a swirl of cream or croutons, and pair with your gooey grilled cheese sandwiches.
Smart Twists and Variations
Make this recipe work for YOUR occasion with these fun ideas!
- Appetizer Style: For a party, serve tiny portions of the soup as shooters, paired with mini grilled cheese bites on skewers. A guaranteed hit!
- Grilled Cheese Croutons: Cut your grilled cheese into small cubes and float them on top of the soup for a whimsical presentation.
- Casserole Twist: Make it a tomato soup and grilled cheese casserole by layering tomato soup with torn bread, shredded cheese, and baked until bubbly.
- Campbell’s Hack: No time to roast tomatoes? Use Campbell Tomato Soup recipes as your base and amplify the flavor with fresh basil and a splash of cream.
Serving Suggestions 🥖🍅
Pair your tomato soup and grilled cheese with these fun ideas for an even more satisfying meal:
- Classic Comfort: Serve with a side of crispy kettle chips or a garden salad.
- Soup-Shooter Party: Add skewered grilled cheese bites to small soup cups for a stylish twist!
- Elevated Dip: Slice your sandwiches into strips to dip directly into your soup—a fun way to eat!
Storage & Reheating Tips 🧊
- Leftover Soup: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Grilled Cheese Tip: Reheat sandwiches in the oven or toaster oven to restore their crispiness.
Kitchen Tools to Nail This Recipe 🥄
Here’s the gear that will make your life easier when preparing this recipe:
- Baking Sheet: For roasting those perfect tomatoes!
- Blender or Immersion Blender: Smooth, silky soup guaranteed.
- Non-Stick Skillet: For achieving golden-brown grilled cheese perfection.
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Blender or Immersion Blender
- Non-stick skillet
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- Fresh Tomatoes: 2 lbs grape or vine-ripened
- Garlic Cloves: 4 roasted for depth and sweetness
- Onion: 1 medium adds richness
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons for roasting
- Vegetable or Chicken Broth: 4 cups vegetable for vegetarian option
- Basil Leaves: 1/4 cup fresh for flavor
- Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: 1/2 cup optional for creaminess
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
- Sugar: a pinch if needed, to balance acidity
For the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:
- Bread: 8 slices thick sourdough or hearty white
- Cheese: 2 cups sharp cheddar and mozzarella, shredded
- Butter: 4 tablespoons for grilling
Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Veggies
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Spread halved tomatoes, garlic cloves, and sliced onion on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
Step 2: Blend the Soup Base
- Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender.
- Add broth, fresh basil, and optional cream.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, leaving some texture if desired.
Step 3: Simmer on the Stove
- Pour the blended soup into a pot and simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Taste-test and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or sugar.
Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches
- Spread butter on two slices of bread.
- Layer grated cheese between the slices with the buttered sides out.
- Grill in a hot skillet for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Step 5: Serve and Savor
- Ladle soup into bowls or small cups.
- Garnish (optional) with a swirl of cream or croutons.
- Pair with grilled cheese slices for a delightful meal.
Video
Notes
Customization: Enhance your soup with a splash of cream or serve as appetizer shooters. Options for grilled cheese include using different types of bread or cheese based on personal preference.
Wrap-Up: A Comfort Food Love Affair 💕
Tomato soup and grilled cheese are more than just a meal—they’re a memory waiting to be made. Whether you serve this duo as a simple lunch, a classy party appetizer (hello, grilled cheese and tomato soup shooters!), or take a fun detour with a casserole spin, this recipe proves that classic comfort isn’t just timeless—it’s endlessly customizable.
Don’t wait to dive into this bowl of creamy, roasted goodness! I’d love to hear your thoughts—comment below and share your favorite take on this recipe! 🥰
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