If you are craving warmth and comfort food that wraps you up like a cozy blanket, look no further than this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe. This classic pairing brings together the rich, tangy sweetness of roasted tomatoes with creamy, cheesy grilled sandwiches that are golden and crisp. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl and a sandwich, perfect for chilly afternoons, busy weeknights, or anytime you want something simple yet deeply satisfying. The blend of fresh basil, caramelized tomatoes, and gooey melted cheese makes this dish a timeless favorite that’s both heartwarming and delicious.

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting ready to make this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe is refreshingly straightforward. The ingredients are basic staples, each carefully chosen to build a layered flavor profile—from the natural sweetness of roasted tomatoes to the aromatic basil and the creamy duo of cheeses in the grilled sandwiches.

Tomatoes (1½ kg / 3 lbs): Using ripe, seasonal tomatoes or quality canned San Marzano tomatoes will bring deep, rich sweetness and acidity.
Balsamic vinegar (2 tbsp): Adds a subtle tang and caramel notes that elevate the roasted tomatoes beautifully.
Olive oil (2 tbsp): Essential for roasting and sautéing, providing smooth richness and helping flavors meld.
Sugar (1 tbsp): Balances the acidity of the tomatoes, enhancing their natural sweetness.
Salt (1 tsp + to taste): Brings out all the flavors, seasoning each step perfectly.
Red onions (2, finely chopped): Add sweetness and depth when sautéed.
Garlic cloves (2, finely chopped): Offers aromatic warmth that infuses the soup with a gentle kick.
Fresh basil leaves (½ cup): Blended into the soup for herbaceous freshness; also extra for serving.
Tomato paste (2 tsp): Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the soup slightly.
Vegetable or chicken broth (8 cups): Forms the base of the soup, creating a smooth, comforting texture.
Cream (½ cup): Adds luscious creaminess and balances acidity.
Bread (2 slices per person): Choose a sturdy but soft bread for perfect grilled cheese sandwiches.
Mozzarella cheese (2 cups grated): Melts beautifully for gooey, stringy goodness inside the sandwich.
Mature cheddar cheese (2 cups grated): Adds depth and sharpness to the grilled cheese.
Butter: For crisping up those grilled cheese sandwiches to golden perfection.

How to Make Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Roast the Tomatoes

Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (390°F). Place the tomatoes in a roasting tray, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and sprinkle with sugar and salt. Roast these gems for 25 to 30 minutes until they are beautifully caramelized and bursting with intensified flavor. This roasting step is where the magic happens, transforming the tomatoes into a rich, sweet base that will carry the soup’s entire flavor.

Step 2: Sauté Onions and Garlic

While the tomatoes roast, grab a large pot and gently sauté the finely chopped red onions until they turn translucent and soft. This slow cooking draws out their natural sweetness. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant—don’t let it brown, so it stays pleasantly mellow. These foundational elements build layers of flavor in the soup.

Step 3: Combine Soup Ingredients and Simmer

To the pot with onions and garlic, add the fresh basil leaves whole (no need to chop—just trust the blender!). Next, spoon in the roasted tomatoes and all their juices, then mix in the tomato paste. Pour in the broth to create a rich base, then bring everything to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes. This brief simmer blends all those fresh and roasted flavors into a cohesive, mouth-watering soup.

Step 4: Blend and Enrich the Soup

Remove the pot from heat and use a blender to purée the soup until it’s perfectly smooth and velvety. Stir in the cream, which adds a gorgeous richness and balances the acidity from the tomatoes and vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper until it sings the way you like it best.

Step 5: Prepare the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

While the soup simmers or right after blending, it’s time to make the grilled cheese sandwiches that will accompany the soup. Butter the outside of your bread slices generously. On the inside, pile a mixture of grated mozzarella and mature cheddar—this combination gives you that unbeatable stretch and sharpness. Grill the sandwiches in a pan over medium heat until each side is golden brown and the cheese is melted to perfection.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Pour the tomato soup into bowls, add a swirl of cream and a few fresh basil leaves for garnish. Place the grilled cheese sandwiches on the side, or even better, cut them into fingers for easy dipping into the soup. This comforting duo is now ready for you to savor.

How to Serve Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh basil leaves scattered on top are not just a pretty touch but add a burst of bright herbal fragrance that lifts the whole dish. A light swirl of cream makes the tomato soup look invitingly silky and adds richness that feels indulgent with every spoonful.

Side Dishes

While the grilled cheese sandwiches steal the spotlight as the classic match for this tomato soup, you can also serve a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables on the side to add variety and color. Lightly dressed arugula or a simple cucumber salad offers a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy sandwich and silky soup.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress guests or just make this everyday meal feel special? Serve the soup in rustic bread bowls and cut the grilled cheese into bite-size cubes for a fun dipping experience. Alternatively, stack a few grilled cheese sandwiches layered with tomato slices and basil for a stacked sandwich option that pairs beautifully with the soup served in a small cup alongside.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe stores wonderfully. Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have any grilled cheese sandwiches left, store them wrapped in foil to maintain some crispness, but plan to reheat them soon as they can get soggy over time.

Freezing

You can freeze the tomato soup for up to 3 months. Leave out the cream when freezing and add it fresh after thawing and reheating, to maintain the soup’s velvety texture. Avoid freezing the grilled cheese sandwiches as they don’t reheat well from frozen and tend to lose their crispy, melty charm.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add cream toward the end for that perfect finish. For grilled cheese sandwiches, reheat in a toaster oven or skillet to help revive their crispy exterior without drying out the cheese.

FAQs

Can I use canned tomatoes for this recipe?

Absolutely! Canned whole tomatoes, especially San Marzano if you can find them, are a great substitute and can make this dish just as tasty if fresh tomatoes are out of season.

What type of bread works best for grilled cheese?

Choose a bread that’s sturdy enough to hold the cheese without becoming soggy too quickly. Sourdough, white sandwich bread, or even a rustic country loaf all work beautifully.

Can I make the soup vegan?

Yes! Use vegetable broth and replace the cream with a plant-based alternative like coconut milk or cashew cream, and swap the cheese for vegan cheese in the sandwiches.

How can I make the grilled cheese extra crispy?

Make sure to butter the outside of the bread generously and cook over medium heat, pressing lightly with a spatula. Cooking low and slow helps the cheese melt thoroughly while creating a deliciously golden crust.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe ahead of time?

The soup can be made a day or two in advance and reheated gently, but the grilled cheese sandwiches are best made fresh to keep them crispy and melty.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you try this Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe, it will quickly become one of your go-to comfort meals. It’s simple to prepare yet packed with flavor, perfect for nourishing both your body and soul. So grab those tomatoes, gather your favorite cheeses, and dive into this cozy classic that’s guaranteed to bring smiles around the table.

Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 47 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

This comforting Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese recipe combines rich, roasted tomatoes with aromatic herbs and creamy texture for a delicious, cozy meal. Perfectly paired with golden, melty grilled cheese sandwiches, it’s a classic dish that’s simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tomato Soup

1½ kg (3 lbs) ripe, seasonal tomatoes (or whole canned tomatoes, San Marzano or any good quality Italian tomatoes)
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 red onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ cup fresh basil leaves (whole leaves, not chopped)
2 tsp tomato paste
8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
½ cup cream
Salt & black pepper to taste
Fresh basil for serving

For the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

2 slices bread per person (16 slices for 8 servings)
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
2 cups grated mature cheddar cheese
Butter for spreading on bread

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for roasting the tomatoes.
Roast the Tomatoes: Place the tomatoes in a roasting tray with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and salt. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are caramelized and soft, enhancing their natural sweetness.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large pot, sauté the finely chopped onions over medium heat until they become translucent. Add the garlic and cook briefly to release their aroma, taking care not to burn.
Add Ingredients to the Pot: Add the fresh basil leaves (whole), roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, and the vegetable or chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Simmer the Soup: Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Blend the Soup: Remove the pot from heat and carefully blend the soup until smooth, using a blender or immersion blender. Return to the pot if needed.
Add Cream and Season: Stir in the cream to add richness and season the soup with salt and black pepper according to taste.
Prepare Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Butter the bread slices on one side. On the unbuttered side, layer grated mozzarella and mature cheddar cheese. Assemble the sandwiches by placing cheese between two slices with the buttered sides facing out.
Cook the Grilled Cheese: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has melted inside, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Serve: Ladle the tomato soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil, and serve hot paired with the grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping and eating alongside.

Notes

You can substitute the cream with a non-dairy option for a lighter or dairy-free soup.
For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions and garlic.
The soup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.
Use good quality bread for grilled cheese to get a crispier, more delicious sandwich.
Adjust the thickness of the soup by varying the amount of broth used according to your preference.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Soup and Sandwich
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: Italian