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Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup Recipe with Crispy Grilled Cheese Croutons Made Easy

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A cozy and satisfying creamy roasted tomato basil soup paired with crispy grilled cheese croutons, perfect for quick comfort meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds ripe tomatoes (Roma or vine-ripened)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed and roughly chopped
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups (950 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (can substitute coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grilled Cheese Croutons:
  • 4 slices bread (sourdough or white bread recommended)
  • 4 oz (115 g) sharp cheddar or cheese blend, shredded
  • Butter, softened, for grilling

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
  2. Cut tomatoes into halves or quarters depending on size. Toss tomatoes and garlic cloves with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes until caramelized and soft with slightly blackened edges.
  3. While tomatoes roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add roasted tomatoes, squeeze softened garlic from skins into the pot with onions. Pour in 4 cups broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender in batches. Add more broth or water if soup is too thick.
  6. Stir in chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Heat gently for 5 minutes without boiling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. To make grilled cheese croutons, butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, pile shredded cheese. Grill in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes per side. Let cool slightly and cut into bite-sized cubes.
  8. Serve soup hot, topped with crispy grilled cheese croutons.

Notes

If soup tastes acidic, add a pinch of sugar or a splash of balsamic vinegar to balance flavors. Double grilled cheese croutons as they disappear quickly. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese. Blend hot liquids carefully in batches to avoid splattering. Use medium heat for grilling croutons to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted tomato soup, basil soup, creamy tomato soup, grilled cheese croutons, comfort food, easy soup recipe, quick dinner, vegetarian soup

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