Luscious Creamy Tomato Basil Soup With Grilled Cheese Hearts Recipe

Crafting a soul-warming tomato basil soup brings pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Aromas of ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs dance through your kitchen.

Smooth and rich textures promise a delightful culinary experience.

Each spoonful carries memories of classic homestyle cooking with a modern twist.

grilled cheese hearts add a playful touch to this classic dish.

Minimal ingredients create maximum flavor in this simple yet elegant recipe.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this warming soup.

Reasons to Try Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Hearts

• Quick Comfort Meal: Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Playful Presentation: Heart-shaped grilled cheese adds a cute, romantic touch that makes the meal special and fun for all ages.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Soup and sandwich combination appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family dinner option.
• Simple Gourmet Experience: Transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cooking skills required, giving home cooks a confidence boost.

Ingredients for Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Hearts

• Canned Diced Tomatoes: Provide the base and rich tomato flavor for the soup.
• Vegetable Broth: Adds depth and liquid foundation to the soup.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and luxurious texture in the soup.
• Fresh Basil: Brings a bright, aromatic herb flavor to the dish.

• Bread, Cheddar Cheese: Create a classic grilled cheese sandwich with golden crispy exterior.

• Olive Oil, Onion, Garlic: Build a flavor foundation and provide a savory starting point for the soup.

How to Prepare Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Hearts

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium warmth. Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence.

Step 2: Build Soup Base

Pour in canned diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, letting the flavors meld and develop a rich, comforting profile.

Step 3: Blend to Silky Smoothness

Transfer the simmered mixture to a blender and puree until completely smooth and velvety. Return the blended soup to the pot.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Creaminess

Swirl heavy cream into the soup, stirring gently. Sprinkle in freshly chopped basil leaves, infusing the soup with a bright, herbaceous note.

Step 5: Craft Grilled Cheese Hearts

Butter bread slices and layer with cheddar cheese. Grill sandwiches in a skillet until they turn golden brown and crispy on both sides.

Step 6: Shape Loving Garnish

Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into adorable heart shapes. Arrange these loving bites beside the creamy tomato soup and serve immediately.

Helpful Cooking Tips for Tomato Basil Soup

• Sauté onions and garlic on medium heat to release their sweet, mellow flavors without burning.
• Use an immersion blender or standard blender to create a smooth, velvety soup consistency.
• Add heavy cream gradually to balance richness and prevent separation or curdling.
• Stir fresh basil at the end to maintain its vibrant color and intense herbaceous flavor.
• Use heart-shaped cookie cutters to transform grilled cheese into playful, romantic garnishes for your soup.

Flavor Variations for Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk for a lighter, vegan-friendly version. Use dairy-free cheese alternative for grilled cheese hearts.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies or jalapeños to the soup. Sprinkle chili powder and use pepper jack cheese for grilled cheese hearts with a kick.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread for sandwiches and ensure vegetable broth is certified gluten-free. Swap regular flour with cornstarch if thickening is needed.
• Mediterranean Variation: Incorporate roasted red peppers into the soup. Top with crumbled feta cheese and use sourdough bread for grilled cheese hearts with a tangy flavor.

Best Pairings for Tomato Basil Soup and Cheese Hearts

Enhance the creamy tomato soup’s rich flavors with a crisp, medium-bodied Pinot Grigio that cuts through the richness and complements the basil’s herbal notes.

Match the grilled cheese hearts with additional artisan cheese like aged Gruyère or sharp white cheddar to amplify the sandwich’s crispy, melty profile.

Sprinkle fresh basil leaves or chiffonade on top of the soup to intensify the herbal undertones and add a vibrant green color contrast.

Add homemade croutons or toasted pine nuts as a textural garnish that provides a delightful crunch against the soup’s smooth consistency.

Proper Storage for Tomato Basil Soup with Cheese Hearts

• Store soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Separate grilled cheese from soup before freezing.
• Transfer soup to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until steaming hot. Stir cream to restore smooth texture.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of broth if soup thickens too much. Crisp grilled cheese separately in skillet for best texture.

FAQs

• How do I achieve the smoothest soup texture?

Use an immersion blender or standard blender, straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any tomato seeds or skin for an ultra-smooth consistency.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, the recipe is already vegetarian. Just ensure you use vegetable broth and check that your cream is vegetable-based.

• What type of tomatoes work best for this soup?

Canned San Marzano tomatoes provide the richest flavor, but any good quality canned diced tomatoes will work well for a delicious result.

• How can I enhance the basil flavor?

Add fresh basil leaves at the end of cooking and gently stir them in, or garnish with whole basil leaves just before serving to maximize the herb’s fresh, aromatic qualities.

Velvety Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Hearts Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this velvety tomato basil soup, a culinary embrace that warms hearts and delights palates. Crispy grilled cheese hearts nestled alongside invite you to savor each spoonful of pure, soothing deliciousness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 28 ounces (794 grams) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) vegetable broth

Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh basil leaves
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves

Bread and Cheese:

• 4 bread slices (e.g., sourdough)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop rich flavors.
3. Transfer the hot soup to a blender and puree until completely smooth and velvety, ensuring no chunks remain.
4. Return the blended soup to the pot and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luxurious texture.
5. Delicately fold fresh basil leaves into the soup, allowing their aromatic essence to infuse the creamy base.
6. While soup simmers, prepare grilled cheese sandwiches using soft bread and sharp cheddar, cooking until exterior turns golden and crisp.
7. Carefully slice grilled cheese sandwiches into romantic heart shapes using a sharp knife or cookie cutter.
8. Ladle the creamy tomato soup into warm bowls and garnish with heart-shaped grilled cheese, creating a whimsical and comforting presentation.

Notes

• Roast tomatoes beforehand for deeper, richer flavor complexity that elevates the soup’s taste profile.
• Use an immersion blender for silky smooth texture without transferring hot liquid between containers, reducing potential mess and safety risks.
• For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to maintain creamy consistency while accommodating dietary restrictions.
• Select ripe, in-season tomatoes when possible for maximum natural sweetness and robust tomato flavor that transforms the soup from good to extraordinary.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg