Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Creamy, thick, and perfectly paired with a grilled cheese. This tomato soup is great for any time of year!
I know it is summer which means no one is thinking about soup. But a pretty strong summer cold has hit our house and the girls were requesting tomato soup and grilled cheese. I have come to realize that this is one of their comfort meals and I am so happy about it. It is always my goal as a mom to create those recipes that they will be comforted by and request when they need more comfort than a big hug from me. And this is the first one!
It seems especially great because tomato soup and grilled cheese was one of my comfort foods growing up. Of course, mine came from a can and the grilled cheese was made with American Singles and classic store bought white bread. But it was one of the best meals. I am fairly certain I lived off tomato soup and grilled cheese for a solid year in college. So easy, so comforting, and so delicious!
Variations on making Tomato Soup!
There are so many different ways to make Tomato Soup, and to be honest, I make them all depending on what I have on hand. They all turn about the same and that is the beautiful about tomato soup. It is so versatile and forgiving. The main thing, is starting with tomatoes!
Using Fresh Tomatoes for Tomato Soup
Fresh tomatoes are a really great option for tomato soup and one my favorites. When my garden is in full force, I love to make a big batch of tomato soup and can it for a quick, comforting meal on hand. When using fresh tomatoes, I like to roast them in the oven to get them a little charred and bring out their deeper flavors. I will throw on some garlic cloves as well which offer nice sweetness when blended into the soup.
Using fresh tomatoes will add about 45 minutes to the cook time as that is about how long I like to roast the tomatoes for. Once the tomatoes are roasted, you can easily remove the peels if you prefer. I typically don't as they add a lot of nutrients to the soup! Once done roasting your tomatoes, you can move on with making the soup as usual.
Using Canned Tomatoes for Tomato Soup!
While fresh tomatoes are great for tomato soup, I probably use canned tomatoes most often, only because it is a really quick hack. It cuts down the cooking time and still offers great flavor. I like to use Jovial Brand whole tomatoes for the soup. I find that canned whole tomatoes are a little bit better quality. Jovial Brand also cans their tomatoes in a glass jar which is an added bonus. I find mine at Whole Foods or Thrive Market (click here for 40% off your first order!).
Using canned tomatoes does not require any roasting. Canned tomatoes are already peeled and ready to go. Canned tomatoes will give you a little bit of a thicker consistency. No matter which type of tomato you use, you cannot go wrong with this soup!
The best broth for Tomato Soup!
Broth is something that adds to the flavor of the soup so you want to make sure to use a good one. I like to add bone broth for added protein and richness. Chicken Bone Broth is the best, but you can also use vegetable broth or regular chicken broth. Try to find an unsalted broth so you are able to control the salt yourself.
Add a Grilled Cheese to your Soup!
Any soup is better with a side of bread of some sort. I grew up eating the classic white sandwich bread with American Cheese in the middle, toasted in a pan. I have elevated it slightly.
I like to use my Sourdough Sandwich Bread which I think makes the best grilled cheese. It is tangy but gets the perfect amount of crunchy which still staying soft in the middle.
I also elevate the cheese a little as well. I like to use raw cheddar cheese. My favorite is Organic Valley's Sliced Raw Cheddar Cheese. I find it at Whole Foods. It is going to melt so well and give you those nice cheese pulls you want in a grilled cheese. This simple grilled cheese is what the girls love the most. If I am making it for me and Kollin, I add some cream cheese and any other cheese I have in the fridge!
Have fun with this recipe and make it your own! It is meant to be versatile for you to make it what your family needs. It is a perfect weeknight meal but is also a comforting Sunday night meal to cozy up with. Enjoy!
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Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
The ultimate comfort food combo! This is what my girls request whenever they aren't feeling well. It has become a staple for the cold days and the warm days we need a little comfort.
- 32 ounces whole tomatoes (jarred or canned)
- 2 cups chicken bone broth
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- In a large stainless steel pot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add in the onion and garlic and sauté until it is softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add in the tomatoes and let them cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently. This will deepen their flavor.
- Add in the broth, honey, salt, pepper, and basil. Bring to a boil and let cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Once the soup has cooked for 20 minutes blend the soup using an immersion blender or blender (in batches). The consistency here is up to you. I like to blend until completely pureed but some chunks can add some nice texture if that is what you prefer.
- Stir in the 1/2 cup of heavy cream if you prefer! Be sure the taste it before serving. If it is a little acidic, add a little more honey or maple syrup. Top with more black pepper and serve with a side of Grilled Cheese!
I like to make a big batch of this soup and then store it in mason jars in the freezer for a quick meal when I need it. It freezes well!