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–+ servings
Bowl of creamy homemade tomato soup garnished with parsley, a drizzle of cream, and grilled cheese croutons.

Creamy Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese Croutons

Every spoonful of this tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons is like a bite of nostalgia. It is simple, comforting deliciousness. Make some for lunch or serve it as a simple dinner.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Carlee

Ingredients

Roasted Tomato Soup

  • 2½ pounds Roma or plum tomatoes halved lengthwise
  • 1 large yellow onion peeled and quartered
  • 1 whole head of garlic
  • 1 medium carrot peeled and roughly chopped (optional, for sweetness)
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Grilled Cheese Croutons

  • 4 slices sturdy bread sourdough, brioche, or country white work well
  • 2 Tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheese a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella is ideal

Instructions

Roasting the Veggies

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Arrange the 2½ pounds Roma or plum tomatoes, 1 large yellow onion, and 1 medium carrot on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
  • Slice the top quarter-inch off the 1 whole head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle it with a little olive oil, and place it on the baking sheet with the other vegetables.
  • Drizzle the remaining 3 Tablespoons olive oil over the tomatoes, onion, and carrot. Season generously with salt and pepper.
    Baking sheet with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and carrot drizzled with oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper ready to be roasted.
  • Roast for 35-40 minutes, until the tomatoes are slightly collapsed and caramelized at the edges and the onion is soft.

Making The Soup

  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the softened, roasted cloves out of their skins and into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  • Transfer all the roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices from the baking sheet into the pot.
    Dutch oven with roasted veggies inside, ready to be made into tomato soup.
  • Add the 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes). Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    Pot after vegetable broth and sugar has been added, ready to be simmered.
  • Blend the soup until smooth. You can use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a standard blender. Use caution when blending hot liquids; do not overfill the blender and ensure the lid is vented.
  • Return the blended soup to the pot over low heat. Stir in the ½ cup heavy cream and warm through gently, do not let it boil. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
    Tomato soup after it has been blended smooth with a splash of cream, ready to be stirred in.

Grilled Cheese Croutons

  • While the soup is simmering, prepare the croutons. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  • Place two slices, butter-side down, in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Top each with half of the shredded cheese, then place the remaining slices on top, butter-side up.
  • Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden-brown and toasted, and the cheese is fully melted.
  • Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for one minute. This helps the cheese set slightly.
  • Slice off the crusts (optional), then cut the sandwiches into small, bite-sized cubes (croutons).
  • To Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top generously with the grilled cheese croutons.

Notes

Variations & Additions:
  • Dried Herbs: If you wish to add an herbaceous note, a teaspoon of dried oregano or basil can be added to the vegetables before roasting.
  • A Touch of Spice: For a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vegetables before roasting.
  • Smoky Flavor: A ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika added with the broth can lend a wonderful, smoky depth to the soup.
Storage and Reheating:
  • Soup: The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months (the texture of the cream may alter slightly upon reheating, but it will still be delicious). Reheat gently on the stovetop.
  • Croutons: The grilled cheese croutons are best made fresh. However, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day. Re-crisp them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes before serving. Store the soup and croutons separately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 885mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4142IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 1mg
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