Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food, look no further than Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich. This classic duo brings together the rich, velvety goodness of homemade tomato soup and the irresistible crunch of buttery, golden grilled cheese. Whether you’re cozying up on a chilly evening or treating yourself to a nostalgic lunch, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a meal that warms the heart and satisfies every craving. Let’s dive into making your new favorite comfort food combo!

Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of accessible, everyday ingredients to pull off this soul-soothing meal. Each one plays a key role in building layers of flavor, delivering that signature creamy texture, or adding a pop of color. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Olive Oil: Adds a subtle richness, helping soften the onions and infusing everything with a lovely, savory base.
- Onion: Brings natural sweetness and depth to the soup, setting the stage for balanced flavor.
- Garlic: Offers a gentle kick and aromatic warmth that makes every spoonful irresistible.
- Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor, giving the soup a concentrated, umami-rich backbone.
- Crushed Tomatoes: The heart of the soup, providing body and that classic tangy tomato taste.
- Vegetable Broth: Rounds out the flavor and helps achieve the perfect soup consistency.
- Sugar: Just a touch balances acidity and enhances the tomatoes’ natural sweetness.
- Dried Basil: Infuses the soup with an herby freshness you’ll notice in every bite.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together and adding subtle heat.
- Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: Swirls in luxurious creaminess, transforming your soup into something truly special.
- Sourdough or Sandwich Bread: The sturdy base that crisps up perfectly for your grilled cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp, and gooey—cheddar is classic, but feel free to experiment!
- Butter: Key for that golden, crispy sandwich crust you dream about.
How to Make Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Heat your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and let it cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s soft and translucent. This creates a beautifully sweet and savory base for your Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Step 2: Build Tomato Flavor
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about a minute until fragrant. This step really wakes up the flavors, letting the garlic and concentrated tomato paste bloom and infuse your soup with depth.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together, bring it to a gentle simmer, and let it cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. This is where the magic happens—the flavors meld and the soup thickens to perfection.
Step 4: Blend Until Creamy
Take an immersion blender and puree the soup right in the pot until it’s silky-smooth. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender. Either way, you’re aiming for that dreamy, creamy consistency that makes this recipe shine.
Step 5: Finish with Cream
Stir in your heavy cream or half-and-half, letting the soup simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you’d like a bit more salt or pepper. This final swirl of cream takes your soup from tasty to unforgettable.
Step 6: Make the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
While your soup simmers, get your skillet hot over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread, then lay two slices butter-side down in the skillet. Top each with two slices of cheddar cheese, then the remaining bread, buttered side up. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and the cheese has melted into gooey perfection.
Step 7: Serve Together
Ladle the hot, creamy tomato soup into bowls and serve with your fresh-off-the-skillet grilled cheese sandwiches. For extra fun, slice the sandwiches into strips for dunking—there’s nothing more comforting than this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich duo!
How to Serve Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Garnishes
Take your bowl up a notch by swirling in a little extra cream, sprinkling with fresh basil, or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. A crack of black pepper or a few homemade croutons give a delightful crunch and contrast that make each bite even better.
Side Dishes
While this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe is plenty satisfying on its own, you can round out the meal with a crisp green salad, a scoop of coleslaw, or some roasted veggies for a little extra color and nutrition. Even a handful of pickles or olives adds a fun, tangy bite on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the soup in mugs for easy sipping alongside grilled cheese “soldiers” for dipping. Or, cut the sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters for kids (or the young-at-heart). If you’re hosting, offer a soup-and-sandwich board with a variety of cheeses and breads so everyone can mix and match their favorites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Grilled cheese is best enjoyed fresh, but you can keep extra sandwiches wrapped in foil in the fridge for a day or two—just reheat before serving.
Freezing
The tomato soup freezes beautifully! Once cooled, pour it into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the soup before adding cream; you can stir it in after reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often, until hot. If the soup was frozen without cream, add it now for that silky finish. Grilled cheese can be crisped up in a toaster oven or skillet—just avoid microwaving, as it can turn soggy.
FAQs
Can I make Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the heavy cream for coconut milk or a plant-based creamer, use your favorite vegan butter and cheese, and choose a dairy-free bread. The end result is still wonderfully creamy and satisfying.
What are the best cheeses for grilled cheese?
Cheddar is the classic choice for its sharp flavor and meltability, but feel free to try mozzarella, Swiss, provolone, or even a blend for more complexity. Experimenting with different cheeses can give your Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich a fun twist every time.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Definitely! Roast about 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes with a little olive oil and salt until soft, then use them in place of the canned crushed tomatoes. The flavor will be extra bright and summery.
How do I make the soup even creamier?
If you like your soup ultra-rich, use all heavy cream instead of half-and-half, or add a little extra. A spoonful of cream cheese blended in at the end can also boost creaminess and add a subtle tang.
Is this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, the soup is perfect for making ahead and reheats beautifully throughout the week. For the sandwiches, prep them fresh for the best texture, but you can assemble them in advance and cook when needed for a quick lunch or dinner.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a meal that’s equal parts cozy and delicious, you simply can’t go wrong with Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It’s a timeless favorite that’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Give it a try—I promise you’ll want to come back to this recipe again and again!
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Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and creamy tomato soup paired perfectly with a crispy grilled cheese sandwich. This classic American meal combines rich, flavorful tomato soup blended with cream and a gooey grilled cheese made with sourdough and cheddar, ideal for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Tomato Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
For the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 4 slices sourdough or sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5–6 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Puree the Soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you do not have one, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until creamy.
- Add Cream and Final Simmer: Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half and let the soup simmer for another 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prepare the Grilled Cheese: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 2 slices of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet. Top each slice with 2 slices of cheddar cheese, then place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up.
- Grill the Sandwich: Cook each sandwich for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve: Serve the hot creamy tomato soup alongside the grilled cheese sandwiches, or cut the sandwiches into strips for dipping into the soup.
Notes
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup for a touch of heat.
- Include fresh basil for a fresh and summery flavor twist.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar with mozzarella, Swiss, or a cheese blend for variety.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl of soup + 1 sandwich
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg