Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple Tomato Basil Soup, perfectly paired with crispy, gooey Grilled Cheese Croutons. This hearty, healthy soup can be prepared in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight dinner that will delight both kids and adults alike. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying meal that feels both wholesome and decadent.
The Quintessential Comfort: Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
For many, the mere mention of tomato soup instantly conjures images of cozy evenings, the comforting warmth of a bowl nestled in cold hands, and the unmistakable aroma of a classic pairing: grilled cheese. This timeless combination transcends mere sustenance, transforming into a beloved symbol of American comfort food. While definitions of comfort food vary wildly across cultures and personal experiences – from spicy stews to rich pasta dishes – there’s a universal appeal to a rich, velvety tomato soup served with crispy, buttery grilled cheese. It’s a nostalgic embrace, a culinary hug that satisfies not just the appetite, but the soul. Imagine wrapping your chilly winter hands around a steaming mug of this exquisite soup, then scooping up a bite of bread, perfectly softened by the soup, revealing a stretch of melted, golden cheese. It’s a moment of pure bliss, a taste of heaven on a spoon.
Even on a sweltering Texas day, the thought of this dish evokes a longing for a crackling fire and a warm blanket. The beauty of this particular recipe, however, lies in its versatility. While it’s undoubtedly perfect for cooler months, its vibrant flavors and readily available ingredients make it a year-round delight.
Simple Ingredients, Exceptional Flavor
One of the many advantages of this Tomato Basil Soup recipe is its reliance on readily available pantry staples. You won’t need to scour specialty stores for obscure ingredients; everything you need is likely already in your kitchen or easily found at your local grocery store. The core ingredients include wholesome whole peeled canned tomatoes, flavorful chicken or vegetable broth, a touch of brown sugar for balance, aromatic garlic, and a blend of essential spices. These humble components come together to create a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
For the tomatoes, we highly recommend Red Gold Whole Peeled Tomatoes. This brand consistently delivers the perfect balance of natural sweetness and bright acidity, crucial for a well-rounded tomato soup. Their robust texture breaks down beautifully during simmering, transforming into a silky, smooth soup without any fuss. These high-quality canned tomatoes are also fantastic for enriching other winter favorites like hearty stews and slow-braised dinners. As for the basil, fresh is always wonderful if you have it on hand, but dried basil works exceptionally well, infusing this thick, savory soup with its distinctive herbaceous notes and aromatic charm. Don’t underestimate the power of a good quality dried herb to elevate a dish when fresh isn’t an option.
Doesn’t that image just make you want to reach out and grab one of those perfectly toasted, wonderfully gooey grilled cheese bites? There’s a playful rumor that calories don’t count if the portion is mini, and in this case, we’re happy to embrace that delicious fallacy!
Crafting the Perfect Grilled Cheese Croutons
The beauty of these mini grilled cheese “croutons” lies in their simplicity and the irresistible texture they add to your soup. There’s no need for artisanal or special bread here; in fact, a good quality, heartier white or wheat sandwich bread works best. The key is its ability to hold up against the warmth of the soup without dissolving, providing a satisfying chew. To make these little nuggets of pure joy, simply butter one side of your bread slices, then layer with your favorite shredded cheese – Colby Jack is excellent, but cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella also melt beautifully. Sandwich the bread, buttered sides out, and sizzle them in a grill pan or a skillet over medium-high heat. A minute or two on each side is all it takes to achieve that perfect golden crust and gloriously melted interior. Once toasted, transfer them to a cutting board.
Allowing them to cool for just a few minutes before cutting into 1-inch cubes is ideal, as it helps the cheese set slightly, making them easier to handle. However, when they’re this tiny, cheesy, and utterly tempting, exercising patience becomes a delightful challenge!
Partnering for a Purpose: Red Gold’s #HelpCrushHunger Campaign
This heartwarming recipe was created in collaboration with Red Gold Tomatoes, a brand that has long been a staple in my pantry. Beyond simply creating delicious food, this partnership aims to shine a light on a critical issue: hunger across the nation. It’s a sobering statistic that 1 in 7 households in America face food insecurity, meaning they don’t know where their next meal will come from. As a family-owned company, Red Gold deeply understands the importance of supporting other families, which is why they’ve proudly partnered with Feeding America, the nation’s foremost domestic hunger-relief organization.
Each October, Red Gold launches its impactful Crush Hunger campaign, inspiring families to share meals and raise vital awareness about hunger. The mechanism is simple yet powerful: for every Red Gold product purchased throughout the month of October, Red Gold donates a meal to someone in need. Their ambitious goal is to provide 1.7 million meals – an incredible number that could make a significant difference in countless lives. By simply choosing Red Gold products, you become an active participant in this vital mission. So, the next time you’re stocking up, consider buying a Red Gold product, or two, or three, and help a family in need.
Your support can extend even further! We’re glad you asked how else you can contribute to this incredible cause. Engaging on social media is another powerful way to spread awareness and make an impact. Share a photo of your favorite family meal on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and make sure to use the hashtag #HelpCrushHunger. By doing so, you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win a Red Gold Family Meal Kit and a $100 donation to your local food bank. For more details on how to participate and learn about the campaign’s full scope, please visit www.HelpCrushHunger.com.
It’s truly remarkable how a small purchase or a simple social media post can create a ripple effect of positive change. Please join us in spreading the word and supporting the #HelpCrushHunger campaign today! Your actions can make a genuine difference in the fight against food insecurity.
Tomato-Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
10 minutes
40 minutes
50 minutes
Ingredients
For the tomato soup:
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 shallots, small diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1-1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can Red Gold Whole Peeled Tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil, optional (for garnish)
For the grilled cheese croutons:
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 slices sandwich bread, white or wheat (heartier variety recommended)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or Swiss, Colby Jack, mozzarella, fontina, etc.
Instructions
For the tomato soup:
- In a medium pot, set over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the diced shallots, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, dried basil, and a pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes until the shallots are softened and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Stir in the low-sodium broth, the whole peeled Red Gold tomatoes (you can gently crush them with your hands as you add them for a head start), and the brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are very soft and can be easily mashed with a fork. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup directly in the pot until it reaches your desired silky-smooth consistency. Alternatively, if you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender in batches and process until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot, cover, and keep warm off the heat until you are ready to serve. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if desired.
For the croutons:
- Set a grill pan or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of softened butter evenly on one side of each of the four bread slices. Turn two of the slices over so the unbuttered side is facing up. Evenly distribute the shredded cheese over these two unbuttered slices. Place the remaining two bread slices (buttered-side-up) on top of the cheese-covered slices to form two sandwiches. Add the assembled sandwiches to the hot grill pan. Grill for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bread is beautifully golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is thoroughly melted and gooey.
- Once grilled, remove the sandwiches from the pan and let them cool on a cutting board for just 1 minute. This brief cooling period helps the cheese set slightly, making them easier to cut cleanly. Then, cut each grilled cheese sandwich into 1-inch cubes.
- To serve, ladle the hot, aromatic tomato basil soup into individual serving bowls. Generously top each bowl with the freshly made, warm grilled cheese croutons. For an extra touch of freshness and color, sprinkle with a bit of chopped fresh parsley or basil, if desired.
- Enjoy this ultimate comfort food experience!
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest!