Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

A Cozy Memory

My grandson calls this “the fancy soup.” I still laugh at that. I first made it for him on a rainy fall day. The whole house smelled like roasted tomatoes and warm bread.

It turned a gloomy day into a celebration. That is why this matters. A simple meal can change your whole mood. What is your favorite meal for a rainy day?

Let’s Roast Those Veggies

First, we wake up the vegetables. We roast them in a hot oven. The tomatoes get sweet. The onions get soft. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Roasting is like giving food a warm hug. It brings out a deep, sweet flavor you cannot get any other way. This is the heart of our soup. It makes it special.

The Best Part: Grilled Cheese Croutons

Now for the fun part. We make little grilled cheese sandwiches. Then we cut them into croutons. It is like a treasure in your soup.

I love the sound of the bread in the pan. It sizzles softly. The cheese gets all melty. *Fun fact: The word “crouton” comes from the French word for “crust.”* Do you like your grilled cheese with white or yellow cheese?

Bringing It All Together

Next, we blend the roasted vegetables with broth. It becomes so smooth and creamy. Then we add a little cream and parmesan. It makes the soup feel rich and happy.

This is where the magic happens. Why this matters is that you made this from real food. You can taste the care in every bite. It is so much better than a can.

The Grand Finale

We are almost done. We put the soup in bowls. Then we add the croutons and more cheese. A quick trip under the broiler makes the top bubbly and golden.

Be sure to watch it closely. The broiler works fast. I once got distracted and mine got a little too brown. I still ate it, of course. It was delicious.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is perfect for sharing. It feels like a hug in a bowl. I hope you try making it with someone you love.

Tell me, what is a recipe that makes you feel cozy? I would love to hear your stories. We can all learn from each other.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Tomatoes	6 medium	Halved
Yellow onion	1 small	Cut into wedges
Garlic	5 cloves	Peeled
Extra virgin olive oil	1 tablespoon
Kosher salt	½ teaspoon
Pepper	½ teaspoon
Granulated sugar	1 teaspoon
Chicken broth	1 ½ cups (360 g)
Fresh basil	2 tablespoons	Chopped
Heavy cream	¼ cup (59.5 g)
Parmesan cheese	¼ cup (25 g)	Grated
Garlic salt	½ teaspoon
Bread	4 slices
Butter	¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g)	Divided
Sharp cheddar cheese	2 slices	Divided
Gruyere cheese	1 ¼ cups (141 g)	Finely shredded, divided
Sharp cheddar cheese	1 ¼ cups (141 g)	Finely shredded, divided
Basil		Chopped for garnish

A Cozy Hug in a Bowl

This soup is my favorite rainy-day friend. It tastes like a warm, cozy hug. I learned to make it from my own grandma, can you believe it? She always said roasting the tomatoes makes them sweeter. She was right, you know. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Let’s get started. First, we’ll make the vegetables soft and sweet in the oven. Then we’ll make the best part, the grilled cheese croutons. I still laugh at how my grandson calls them “cheesy bread squares.” He gets so excited to see them.

Step 1: Turn your oven to 400°F. Put tomato halves, onion pieces, and garlic on a pan. Drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle on some salt, pepper, and a tiny bit of sugar. The sugar helps them get all caramelized and yummy. Roast them for about 45 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when your whole kitchen smells wonderful.

Step 2: Let’s make the croutons! Butter one side of each bread slice. Put one slice in a pan, butter-side down. Add a cheddar cheese slice. Top it with another bread slice, butter-side up. Cook it low and slow for about 3 minutes per side. (A hard-learned tip: low heat melts the cheese perfectly without burning the bread!). Cut the sandwiches into little bite-sized cubes.

Step 3: The tomatoes should be cool enough to handle now. Just pinch the skins right off. It’s a little messy, but fun! Put all the roasted veggies into a big pot. Add the chicken broth and fresh basil. Use a blender to make it all smooth and creamy. It looks so pretty and orange.

Step 4: Now, put the pot on the stove over medium heat. Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan, and garlic salt. Keep stirring until the cheese melts. Do you like your soup super smooth or a little chunky? Share below! Be careful not to let it boil. We just want it nice and warm.

Step 5: This is the magic step! Change your oven to broil. Pour the soup into little oven-safe bowls. Top each one with some grilled cheese croutons. Then add a big handful of Gruyere and sharp cheddar cheese. Broil for just 2-3 minutes. Watch it closely! You want the cheese bubbly and golden brown. Let it cool for a minute before you dig in.

Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Category: Lunch, Soup

Let’s Mix It Up!

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s always happy to change things up. You can make it just right for you. Here are a few fun twists I like to try sometimes. They always make dinner feel like a new adventure.

Veggie Lover’s Swap: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It’s just as delicious and everyone can enjoy it.

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup. It gives it a little warm zing that feels so nice.

Summer Garden Version: Use different colored tomatoes from the garden. It makes the soup a beautiful, sunny color.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Cozy Dinner

This soup is a whole meal by itself. But I love making a little event out of it. It turns a simple dinner into something special. A crisp green salad on the side is perfect. It adds a fresh crunch next to the creamy soup.

For a drink, a glass of cold apple cider is wonderful. The sweet and tart taste goes so well with the tomatoes. For the grown-ups, a pale ale is a nice choice. Its bubbly bitterness cuts through the rich, cheesy flavor beautifully.

Don’t forget a little extra chopped basil on top for garnish. It makes it look so pretty. Which would you choose tonight? I think I’d go for the cider myself. It reminds me of fall afternoons.

Keeping Your Cozy Soup Cozy

Let’s talk about keeping this soup for later. It stores beautifully in the fridge. Just let it cool completely first. Then pop it in a sealed container for up to three days.

You can also freeze the soup base for a busy night. Skip adding the cream and parmesan before freezing. I once forgot that step and my soup was grainy. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you are ready.

Reheat it gently on the stove. Stir it often so it does not burn. Making a big batch means a warm meal is always close. This matters on days you are just too tired to cook. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Is your soup a bit too thin? Let it simmer on the stove for a few more minutes. The extra heat helps some water evaporate. Your soup will thicken up nicely.

Are your croutons getting soggy? Make them right before you serve the soup. I remember when my grandson made them too early. We had to make a fresh batch. This matters because a crispy crunch makes the whole dish.

Is the cheese under the broiler not browning? Move the rack closer to the heat. But watch it like a hawk. It can burn in seconds. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free bread for the croutons.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time? A: You can roast the veggies a day early. Store them in your fridge until you are ready.

Q: What if I don’t have Gruyere cheese? A: More sharp cheddar works just fine. Use what you love.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Absolutely. It is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A little extra basil on top makes it pretty. Fun fact: roasting tomatoes makes them taste sweeter! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this recipe brings warmth to your table. It is one of my favorite comfort meals. I love seeing your kitchen creations.

Please share a photo if you make it. It makes my whole day. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I would love to see your cozy bowl of soup.

Happy cooking!

—Fiona Brooks.