Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
This is one of my all-time favorite soups. It’s easy to make and always a hit with family and friends. I promise you will NEVER eat tomato soup from a jar or can again!
Ingredients
- TOMATO BASIL SOUP:
- 1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 med. yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional
- 4 c. chicken broth
- 2 (15 oz.) cans Hunts diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 1 (10 oz.) can Hunts tomato sauce
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 3/4 c. chopped fresh basil, divided
- 3 T. unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 c. heavy cream
- GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS:
- 2 T. unsalted butter
- 4 slices soft white bread
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions
- TOMATO BASIL SOUP: In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes, cook until softened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the broth, diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce, Parmesan rind and 1/4 cup of the basil and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Remove the Parmesan rind and puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
- In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Whisk in the flour and continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture is lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cream and cook, stirring, until thickened. Add the cream mixture to the soup and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup has thickened, about 10 minutes.
- GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS: Meanwhile, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place 2 slices of bread in the skillet; top each bread slice with 2 cheese slices, 2 tablespoons of the chopped basil and another bread slice. Cook until the bread is golden brown, and the cheese is melted about 3 minutes per side. Cut each sandwich into 9 pieces.
- Serve soup topped with grilled cheese croutons and remaining chopped basil, Enjoy!
Print the recipe here: Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons