Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Posted on January 22, 2013
 Hi, Everybody! I don’t know about you, but this cold, windy weather makes me crave warm, satisfying soups almost every day! In fact, the other day I had some soup for lunch, and then made a whole new pot of soup for dinner! Besides it being cold, I haven’t been feeling too well, and eating a steaming hot bowl of soup always feels like an extra dose of medicine! If you are looking for a quick and comforting weeknight meal to cook for your friends or family, this Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons is just perfect! It takes less than an hour to make, and it’s my absolute favorite tomato soup recipe (the Barefoot Contessa never disappoints!) It’s wonderfully creamy and rich (there may be some heavy cream involved…) and the grilled cheese croutons are just the perfect topping for a bowl of this soup!
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CREAMY TOMATO SOUP 
WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS
(Recipe adapted from The Barefoot Contessa)
*Serves 4 – 6*
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YOU WILL NEED:
2 medium sized onions, diced
3 tbs olive oil
4 cups chicken stock
28oz can crushed tomatoes (like San Marzano)
Pinch of saffron (this adds wonderful flavor!)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tbs kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
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DIRECTIONS
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1. In your soup pot, saute your diced onions in the olive oil for about 10 minutes, or until they are soft and translucent. Once they are soft, add the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper and saffron. Turn the heat up and bring the soup up to a boil, then turn the heat down and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes.
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2. Next, stir in the heavy cream, and let the soup simmer for another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your grilled cheese croutons by making a regular grilled cheese sandwich, then letting it rest for up to 5 minutes (this is important otherwise the cheese will melt right out… trust me!) and then cutting it into bite sized pieces.
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3. Once your soup is done, let it cool a little bit, and once it’s cool enough to pour it into your blender, pour it in in portions, and puree it (you want it creamy but still slightly chunky). Serve the soup warm in bowls, topped with the grilled cheese croutons!

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Happy Cooking, Everyone!

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  • Our Pinteresting Family January 22, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    Yum I wish I was having this for dinner. 🙂 It looks fantastic. Megan

    • Maria January 22, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks, Megan! It’s one of my favorites, especially on a cold day like today! Have a great rest of your week!

  • Sherry January 22, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    I love Ina’s recipes. This looks so good!
    Sherry

    • Maria January 22, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Thanks, Sherry! I love Ina’s recipes too, everything I’ve made of her’s has turned out delicious!

  • Lacey January 22, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    OM NOM NOM!… those grilled cheese croutons look delish!
    Thank you for sharing the soup recipe! I can’t wait to try it out!
    xo
    Lacey

    • Maria January 22, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Thanks so much, Lacey!

  • Chelsea Fanders January 22, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    My hubby would LOVE this. Love your site; it’s so classy and welcoming, and your pictures are beautiful! http://whatchamakinnow.blogspot.com

    • Maria January 22, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Chelsea, that’s so sweet of you! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

  • Sue January 23, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Tomato soup (creamy is the best!) is one of my favorite comfort foods since I was a little girl, along with grilled cheese sandwiches! I love this take on such a classic combination~Pure yumminess:) Time to pin!

    • Maria January 23, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks, Sue! It’s always been one of my favorites too! Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a good rest of your week!

  • Babs January 23, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Yum! This looks delicious..and grilled cheese croutons..wow…perfect. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Visiting from Wow Us Wednesday.
    Babs

    • Maria January 23, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks so much!

  • Jemma January 23, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Your recipe looks fabulous and the pictures are gorgeous-we love tomato soup and what a great idea to make it even more special with grilled cheese croutons!!
    Yummy!!
    New Follower!

    • Maria January 24, 2013 at 10:23 am

      Thanks so much, Jemma! Thanks for stopping by, have a great rest of your week!

  • Becky {This Is Happiness} January 23, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    this looks amazing! love the grilled cheese croutons! definitely trying this 🙂

    • Maria January 24, 2013 at 10:23 am

      Thanks, Becky!

  • Sandi~A Cottage Muse January 23, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    Looks yummy…now I know what our Friday night supper will be!

    • Maria January 24, 2013 at 10:24 am

      Thanks you so much!

  • Jan January 26, 2013 at 9:39 am

    Can you please come to my house and make some? YUM! Stopped reading the recipe when I realized it entails more than just opening a can and heating it up on the stove, just ogled the pictures and salivated a lot. I’ll try doing this with canned tomato soup and concoct some “cream of tomato” soup and make the grilled cheese croutons (can you tell I’m no cook?). I actually do know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich in a nonstick frying pan 🙂 I will pass this recipe along to some actual cooks I know, maybe I can invite myself over to lunch when they make it…

  • Helen @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog January 29, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    Pinning this recipe!!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
    Exercise Encouragement Group Blog

  • luvGodncountry January 30, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    I pinned this for sure! I found you on a Featured Post at Savvy Southern Style! I love your website and I am now following on pinterest!

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