Name: Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Ingredients: Ingredients; For the Soup:; 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter; 1 small onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 28 oz / 800 g can crushed tomatoes; 2 cups 480 ml vegetable or chicken broth; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped); ½ teaspoon dried oregano (optional); ½ cup 120 ml heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version); For the Grilled Cheese Croutons:; 4 slices of bread (sourdough or white sandwich bread); 4 tablespoons butter (softened); 4 slices sharp cheddar or American cheese

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 servings

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 small onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 28 oz / 800 g can crushed tomatoes
2 cups 480 ml vegetable or chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar balances acidity
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped
½ teaspoon dried oregano optional
½ cup 120 ml heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
For the Grilled Cheese Croutons:
4 slices of bread sourdough or white sandwich bread
4 tablespoons butter softened
4 slices sharp cheddar or American cheese

Method

Directions
Make the Soup
Sauté Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add Tomatoes & Seasonings
Stir in crushed tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Blend Until Smooth
Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot, or carefully transfer to a blender in batches. Blend until creamy and smooth.
Add Cream
Stir in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, or sugar.
Make the Grilled Cheese Croutons
Assemble Sandwiches
Butter one side of each bread slice. Place cheese between two slices, buttered sides facing out.
Cook
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Toast sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side until golden and melty. Let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
Serve
Combine & Enjoy
Ladle soup into bowls and top with grilled cheese croutons. Garnish with a drizzle of cream or a sprinkle of chopped basil for a restaurant-style presentation.

Notes

Chef’s Tip
• For a deeper flavor, roast a few Roma tomatoes and add them to the pot before blending.
• To make it vegan, use coconut milk instead of cream and plant-based cheese for the croutons.
• The soup freezes beautifully — just omit the cream until reheating.