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 can again!
Servings: 6
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 diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 (10 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1 Parmesan rind
- 3/4 c. chopped fresh basil divided
- 3 T. unsalted butter
- 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 c. heavy cream
GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS:
- 2 T. unsalted butter
- 4 soft white bread slices
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 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 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Place 2 of the bread slices in the skillet; top each bread slice with 2 cheese slices, 2 tablespoons 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 (croutons).
- Serve soup topped with grilled cheese croutons and remaining chopped basil.