Easy Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Topper

Easy Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Topper: This simple tomato soup recipe comes together easily with a huge dose of flavor. But the best part of this tomato soup is that it is  finished off  with a giant cheese crouton–because everything is better with cheese. 

I absolutely love the fall for so many reasons–pumpkin, apples, football, crisp air, jeans, and comfort foods.

And to this day, when the weather gets colder I crave a giant bowl of homemade soup, that is my kind of comfort food. 

Easy Homemade Tomato Soup

We are not talking about canned tomato soup here.

We are talking about rich, creamy homemade tomato soup that will leave your taste buds satisfied.

This tomato soup is made with a flavorful base of onions and garlic and oregano, but kept simple by using canned tomatoes—meaning you can make this soup all winter long without garden fresh tomatoes. 

And what is a tomato soup without a grilled cheese sandwich?

My family would call that insanity!

Well, for me it is!

So how about topping this homemade tomato soup with a thick slice of  homemade bread that has been toasted and then smothered in cheese?

After one bite of this homemade tomato soup—YOU WILL NEVER EAT ANOTHER CAN OF TOMATO SOUP AGAIN!

How to Make Tomato Soup

Step One: Saute Shallots and Onions

• Heat oil over medium heat.
• Add diced onions and saute for 5 minutes or until shallots begin to become translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and oregano salt and pepper and saute for another 2-3 minutes.

Step Two: Simmer Soup

• Add the broth, honey, and tomatoes and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 3-4 hours
• 30 minutes is sufficient but the flavor that is developed from longer simmering is amazing!!

Step Three: Puree Soup

• Use an immersion blender or blender to puree soup until smooth, if desired.
• If using an immersion blender, be sure that your stock pan is stainless steel–not a bottom that can be scratched up with the metal blades. 

Step Four: Prepare Grilled Cheese Topper

• Slice bread slices to fit on top of soup bowls.
• Toast bread on each side in the broiler.
• Place cheese on each slice of bread and return to the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Step Five Tomato Soup with Cheese Toast

• Immediately before serving top each bowl of soup with cheese toast.

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

• Heat oil in nonstick skillet.
• Saute  shallots, garlic and oregano for 3-5 minutes.
• Transfer sauteed veggies to slow cooker, along with the stock and canned tomatoes, honey and spices.
• Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

• Turn Instant Pot to saute function.
• Once heated, add in oil and saute shallots, garlic, and oregano for 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the stock and tomatoes. DO NOT MIX.
• Place lid on pressure cooker and set to seal.
• Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
• Be sure to add tomatoes LAST to your instant pot and do not mix into the stock so that you will not risk burning your tomatoes.

 Tips on Quick and Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Crouton

• Be sure to toast your oregano per the recipe directions–this allows the oregano to release it’s oil into the soup.
• The higher quality the canned tomatoes, the less amount of time the tomato soup has to cook down. If you use San Marzano tomatoes, you can cut the cooking time down to 30 minutes and still have fabulous results.
• This tomato soup is already Gluten Free. But to make these Grilled Cheese Croutons Gluten-Free, use your favorite Gluten Free Bread.
• Puree your soup using a immersion blender or blender. This is not necessary, but smooth soups are preferred in my household.
• Top the tomato soup with the grilled cheese toast, right before serving to keep my giant grilled cheese crouton from getting soggy.
• Do NOT throw away your excess bread–freeze bread scraps to use for homemade stuffing or french toast casserole.

Easy Soup Recipes

• 4 Ingredient Tortellini Soup
• Healthier Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Lasagna Soup
• 30 Minute Baked Potato Soup

Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Homemade Tomato Soup (Cheesy Crouton Optional)

A thick and rich easy homemade tomato soup made with canned tomatoes that is topped with a giant cheese crouton.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Tomato Soup, instant pot tomato soup, slow cooker tomato soup, Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 88kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

Tomato Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large shallot diced
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups homemade chicken stock or your favorite store bought stock
• 2 15 oz can or cartons of diced tomatoes in juice unsalted
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional

Grilled Cheese Topper

• 6 slices thick bread
• 6-8 oz colby jack cheese shredded or sliced

Instructions

Tomato Soup

• Heat oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and saute for 5 minutes or until shallots begin to become translucent. Add the minced garlic and oregano salt and pepper and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
• Add the broth, honey, and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow to simmer for 3-4 hours (30 minutes is sufficient but the flavor that is developed from longer simmering is amazing!!)
• Puree the soup in batches in a blender.

Grilled Cheese Topper

• Heat the broiler to high on your oven.
• Slice bread slices to fit on top of soup bowls. Toast bread on each side. Place cheese on each slice of bread and return to the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
• Ladle the soup in 6 bowls. Top the soup with the toasted cheese bread.

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

• Heat oil in nonstick skillet. Saute  shallots, garlic and oregano for 3-5 minutes.
• Transfer sauteed veggies to slow cooker, along with the stock and canned tomatoes, honey and spices. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

• Turn Instant Pot to saute function. Once heated, add in oil and saute shallots, garlic, and oregano for 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the stock, honey, seasonings and tomatoes. DO NOT MIX.
• Place lid on pressure cooker and set to seal. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Notes

Nutrition values are based on soup without grilled cheese crouton. 

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Tomato Soup (Cheesy Crouton Optional)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 88 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 5g 8%

Sodium 938mg 39%

Potassium 313mg 9%

Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 2g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 1.9%

Vitamin C 10.7%

Calcium 3.5%

Iron 6.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

To Make Tomato Soup at home, You May Need

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