Creamy Tomato Soup Cheese Dippers (Printable Version)

Velvety tomato soup paired with golden grilled cheese dippers for cozy, comforting meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Creamy Tomato Soup

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 (14-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
05 - 2 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
10 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
12 - ½ cup heavy cream
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ For the Grilled Cheese Dippers

14 - 8 slices sandwich bread
15 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
16 - 8 slices cheddar cheese

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove from heat and puree the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or by blending in batches in a standard blender, then return to the saucepan.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and unsalted butter until fully melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary and keep warm until serving.
07 - Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
08 - Place 4 bread slices, buttered side down, on a skillet over medium heat. Top each with 2 slices of cheddar cheese, then cover with remaining bread, buttered side up.
09 - Cook until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
10 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, allow to cool slightly, then cut each into strips suitable for dipping.
11 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve alongside the grilled cheese dippers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, delivering restaurant-quality results in under an hour.
  • The grilled cheese dippers turn a classic soup into something interactive and fun, like you're cooking for people who actually enjoy their food.
  • It's the kind of meal that feels indulgent without being heavy, leaving you satisfied but not weighed down.
02 -
  • Don't skip the immersion blender step, as it's the difference between chunky tomato broth and the silky soup people come back for.
  • Butter the bread while it's still soft enough to spread easily, because trying to butter cold bread from the fridge leads to torn bread and frustration.
  • Taste the soup before serving and adjust both salt and pepper, since every brand of broth and every preference is different.
03 -
  • Make the soup ahead and reheat it gently when you're ready to serve, as the flavors actually deepen and mellow after a day in the fridge.
  • If your cream curdles or the soup breaks when you add it, remove from heat for a minute and whisk in the cream slowly while the soup cools slightly.

Return