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A bowl of creamy tomato basil soup with fresh basil and crispy grilled cheese bites on the side

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Bites

Silky tomato basil soup made from canned tomatoes, garlic and cream, served with crispy grilled cheese bites for dipping.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 g
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes 28 ounces each, with juices (800 g each)
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth 480 ml
  • 1 pinch sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream 120 ml
Grilled cheese bites
  • 8 slices sandwich bread
  • 8 ounces cheddar or mozzarella shredded or sliced (225 g)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

Method
 

Make the soup
  1. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion with a pinch of salt for 6 to 8 minutes until soft.
  2. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add the tomatoes with their juices, broth, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes.
  4. Add the basil and puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the cream and warm gently for 2 minutes.
Make the grilled cheese bites
  1. Butter one side of each bread slice and build four sandwiches with the cheese, butter side out.
  2. Toast in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and melted. Rest for 1 minute.
  3. Cut each sandwich into 9 squares and serve with the hot soup.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate the soup for up to 4 days or freeze without the cream for up to 3 months.
Dairy free: Use olive oil and coconut milk, and a dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving, including 4 to 5 grilled cheese bites.