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Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe with Crispy Grilled Cheese Croutons

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A comforting and creamy tomato basil soup paired with crispy grilled cheese croutons, perfect for cozy nights and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce/800g) can crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 2 cups (16 fl oz) vegetable or chicken broth, low sodium
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 4 slices bread (sourdough or country white recommended)
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook gently for about 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the soup slightly.
  4. Remove the pot from heat and blend the soup until smooth and creamy using an immersion blender or a regular blender in batches.
  5. Stir in heavy cream, sugar, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Adjust seasoning to taste and keep warm on low heat.
  6. To make grilled cheese croutons, butter one side of each bread slice. Place buttered side down on a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Layer cheese on top, then place the second slice of bread, buttered side up, to form a sandwich.
  7. Grill sandwiches until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. Let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
  8. Ladle warm soup into bowls and sprinkle generously with grilled cheese croutons before serving.

Notes

Keep the soup at a gentle simmer to avoid cracking the cream. Prepare grilled cheese croutons just before serving to maintain crispiness. If soup is too thick after blending, add a splash more broth or cream. Use fresh basil added at the end for best flavor and color. For vegan or dairy-free versions, substitute cream with coconut or cashew cream and use vegan butter and cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato basil soup, creamy tomato soup, grilled cheese croutons, comfort food, easy soup recipe, cozy meal

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-tomato-basil-soup-recipe-with-crispy-grilled-cheese-croutons-easy-and-perfect/