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Home » Recipes » Soups and Stews

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese and Bacon Croutons

Published: Jan 16, 2014

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Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic combination that can't go wrong. I love dunking a warm grilled cheese sandwich in a hot, piping cup of tomato soup. While contemplating having this meal for lunch the other day, I thought to myself, "Why not make grilled cheese croutons to combine the two?" Of course, I didn't just stop there. Instead of ordinary grilled cheese, I decided to make it extra cheesy with an inside-out grilled cheese AND add bacon. Lo and behold, this creamy tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons delivers on all levels - comfort food at its best!

tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons
tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons
tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons
Print Recipe

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese and Bacon Croutons

Total Time45 mins
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pork
Servings: 2
Author: Cherry on My Sundae

Ingredients

Tomato soup

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ small onion chopped
  • 1 carrot peeled and chopped
  • 1 celery stalk chopped
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 14.5 oz can tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper

Croutons

  • 1 tablespoon butter divided
  • 2 slices bread
  • 8 oz shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 strips bacon

Instructions

  • Heat oil in medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Saute until vegetables have softened, about 7-8 minutes. Add tomato - Italian seasoning, stirring to combine. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and blend soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Return soup to pot and keep warm.
  • Heat nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add ½ tablespoon butter and melt. Add both slices of white bread, allowing them to soak up the butter. Spread cheese on one side of the bread. Top with 3 slices of bacon per sandwich followed by more cheese. Stack the other slice of bread on top, buttered side facing up. Spread cheese on top of the bread and cook until golden brown on the bottom.
  • Melt the remaining butter in the pan. Flip the sandwich over and spread cheese on the top of the bread. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes.
  • Flip sandwich over once more and let cheese on the outside caramelize and get crispy. Remove sandwich from the pan. Cut into bite size pieces. Ladle soup into bowls and top with grilled cheese and bacon croutons.

**Helpful tips and common mistakes

Everyone knows that a grilled cheese sandwich is simply that, cheese and bread. To make the best grilled cheese, you want to use extra sharp cheddar cheese and white bread. Always choose the cheese blocks and grate them yourself if you can. It's just better, trust me. I used brioche bread for my croutons but you can use sourdough, Pullman bread, even garlic bread if you want to be extra fancy.

tomato soup

While the tomato soup is cooking, make the grilled cheese. Slather one side of each of the bread with a good amount of butter. Place the cheese in the center followed by bacon, the remaining slice of bread, and extra cheese on top. Carefully place the sandwich on a warm griddle or non-stick pan and cook over medium heat.

grilled cheese

Don't be afraid of the cheese that falls to the bottom of the pan. The cheese will crisp up around the bottom of the sandwich, creating an extra crust. Once the bottom becomes nice and golden, flip and cook it on the other side.

tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons

If you want to skip the tomato soup, you can enjoy the grilled cheese itself for a great sandwich. Otherwise, cut the grilled cheese into bite-size pieces and complete the tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons. Although this dish sounds heavy, the light tomato soup perfectly balances the heartier sandwich. The perfect dish to warm you up on chilly days and fill you up!

tomato soup with grilled cheese and bacon croutons

For more soup inspiration check out this spicy Tuscan soup!


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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Christine @ Chew Nibble Nosh

    January 16, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    This looks AMAZING. I can't wait to try it. I'm a sucker for tomato soup and grilled cheese!!

    Reply
    • cma0425

      January 16, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      Who isnt? 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nicole

    January 16, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Wonderful shots, and this could not look more delicious. LOVE it!

    Reply
    • cma0425

      January 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      Thank you! It was yummy!

      Reply
  3. Betsy @ Desserts Required

    January 17, 2014 at 1:16 am

    OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is INSANE! Love, love, love!!

    Reply
    • cma0425

      January 17, 2014 at 1:28 am

      Thanks Betsy! You're awesome 🙂

      Reply
  4. Abbe@This is How I Cook

    January 20, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    You are my kind of girl! This looks to good to be true!

    Reply
    • cma0425

      January 20, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      I devoured my bowl 🙂

      Reply

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Hey there! My name is Christine and I'm a chef during the day and food blogger at night. Welcome to my world highlighting what's in season, sharing travel tidbits, and just living a simple life in the busy city of Los Angeles.

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