Quick & Cozy Barefoot Contessa Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

Easy tomato soup dances between rustic comfort and gourmet elegance, transforming ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Warm, velvety textures mingle with rich, bright flavors that comfort the soul.

Kitchens come alive with the sweet aroma of simmering ingredients and subtle herbal notes.

Hearty spoonfuls promise a delightful culinary experience that transcends simple meal preparation.

Creamy smoothness blends with robust tomato intensity, creating a symphony of taste sensations.

Home cooks can elevate this classic dish with unexpected twists and personal flair.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe invites you to reimagine a beloved classic: enjoy every spoonful.

Keep Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons Fresh

• Freeze: Seal cooled tomato soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving an inch of space at the top to prevent cracking. Store flat to maximize freezer space and maintain flavor for up to 3 months. Label containers with the date to track freshness and ensure optimal taste when reheating.
• Refrigerate: Pour remaining soup into glass or ceramic airtight containers to preserve taste and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Consume within 3-4 days for the best quality and food safety. Keep croutons separate to maintain their crispy texture.
• Reheating: Gradually warm soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup has thickened during storage.

Creative Spins on Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Add fresh basil, oregano, and thyme to the soup base for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile that elevates the traditional tomato soup experience.
• Spicy Chorizo Upgrade: Incorporate diced Spanish chorizo during the onion cooking stage, creating a rich, smoky undertone that adds depth and warmth to the soup.
• Vegetarian Roasted Vegetable Version: Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and blend roasted red peppers and caramelized vegetables into the soup for an intensely flavorful plant-based alternative.
• Creamy Vegan Alternative: Substitute double cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, maintaining the luxurious texture while making the recipe completely dairy-free and vegan-friendly.

Parting Thoughts on Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

Hearty comfort meets gourmet delight in this soul-warming tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons.

Barefoot Contessa’s recipe transforms classic childhood favorites into an elegant culinary experience.

Silky smooth tomato soup swirls with rich cream and aromatic saffron, creating luxurious depth in each spoonful.

Crispy, golden grilled cheese cubes add irresistible crunch and nostalgic charm to this sophisticated dish.

Gruyère’s nutty complexity perfectly complements the soup’s velvety texture, elevating this comfort classic to new gastronomic heights.

Ready to impress dinner guests or indulge solo?

Let this recipe inspire culinary creativity, spark kitchen passion, and invite you to share your delicious adventure through likes, comments, and mouthwatering social media posts.

Adore Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

• Savor Luxurious Comfort: This recipe transforms classic tomato soup into a gourmet experience by combining rich, creamy textures with crispy grilled cheese croutons, elevating a simple comfort food to an extraordinary meal.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: Home cooks can easily create restaurant-quality dishes in under 45 minutes, using straightforward techniques like simmering and grilling that require minimal cooking skills but deliver maximum flavor impact.
• Enjoy Versatile Flavor Layers: The combination of saffron-infused tomato soup with double cream creates a sophisticated base, while the Gruyère cheese and buttery croutons add depth and crunch, making each spoonful a delightful sensory adventure.
• Celebrate Nostalgic Reinvention: This recipe brilliantly reimagines childhood favorites by transforming traditional grilled cheese and tomato soup into an elegant, grown-up dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

Key Ingredients for Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

Main Ingredients:

• Onions: Sweet foundation that adds depth and richness to the soup's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a robust and intense taste to the dish.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Vibrant base that creates the primary flavor and texture of the soup.
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid that enhances the overall depth and savor of the soup.
• Double Cream: Luxurious ingredient that adds smoothness and creamy consistency.
• Saffron: Precious spice that contributes delicate color and subtle exotic flavor.

• Orzo: Small rice-shaped pasta that adds texture and substance to the soup.

• Sea Salt: Essential mineral that balances and amplifies the soup's flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that provides gentle heat and aromatic complexity.

• Bread: Classic white or sourdough works best for crisp and golden exterior.
• Gruyère Cheese: Rich Swiss cheese with nutty flavor that melts beautifully.
• Butter: Adds golden crispness and rich flavor to the grilled cheese.

Simple Steps for Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions gently for 15 minutes until they turn golden brown. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing its rich fragrance.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Soup Foundation

• Chicken stock
• Crushed tomatoes
• Saffron
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 3: Cook Pasta Component

Boil a medium pot of salted water. Cook orzo for 7 minutes until nearly tender. Drain and add to the simmering soup, letting it finish cooking in the flavorful liquid.

Step 4: Enrich Soup Texture

Stir in double cream, returning the soup to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 5: Craft Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Bread slices
• Melted butter
• Grated Gruyère cheese

Brush one side of each bread slice with melted butter. Place cheese between buttered bread slices.

Step 6: Grill and Transform Sandwiches

Use a sandwich press or panini grill to cook sandwiches for about 5 minutes until golden and crisp. Let rest briefly, then cut into small cubes.

Step 7: Beautifully Present the Dish

Ladle hot soup into bowls and generously top with crispy grilled cheese croutons. Serve immediately for maximum enjoyment.

Pro Hints for Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

• Caramelize Onions Slowly: Take your time cooking onions low and slow for at least 15 minutes, allowing natural sugars to develop a deep, sweet flavor that transforms the soup's overall taste.
• Select Premium Tomatoes: Opt for San Marzano variety, known for their exceptional sweetness and rich tomato profile, which elevates the soup's depth and complexity.
• Cook Orzo with Precision: Partially cook pasta separately to maintain its perfect texture, preventing mushiness and ensuring each spoonful has delightful al dente pasta.
• Enhance with Saffron Magic: Add a tiny pinch of this luxurious spice to introduce a beautiful golden hue and elegant, nuanced flavor that makes the soup feel gourmet.
• Transform Grilled Cheese into Crispy Croutons: Grill sandwiches until deeply golden and cut into bite-sized cubes, creating a crunchy topping that adds exciting texture and nostalgic comfort to your soup.

Barefoot Contessa Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s tomato soup brings comfort and warmth with classic flavors from Italian-inspired cooking. Crispy grilled cheese croutons crown this nostalgic dish, creating a perfect balance of creamy soup and crunchy garnish that makes you crave another spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 450 grams (1 pound) chopped yellow onions (about 2 large onions)
• 1 x 800 grams (28 ounces) tin crushed tomatoes, San Marzano recommended
• 115 grams (4 ounces) Gruyère cheese, grated
• 4 slices thick country-style white bread

Liquid Base:

• 1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock, homemade preferred
• 120 milliliters (½ cup) double cream

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons good quality olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• Large pinch saffron threads
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onions gently for approximately 15 minutes, stirring periodically until they transform into a rich golden hue. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its fragrant essence.
2. Construct the soup foundation by incorporating chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, delicate saffron threads, of sea salt, and of freshly ground black pepper. Elevate the temperature to bring the mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat and allow it to simmer tranquilly for 15 minutes.
3. Simultaneously prepare the orzo pasta in a separate pot of salted water (approximately of salt). Cook the pasta for 7 minutes, understanding it will continue to soften within the soup. Drain thoroughly and fold into the simmering liquid.
4. Enrich the soup’s complexity by stirring in velvety double cream. Return the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes, stirring attentively to prevent scorching.
5. Craft the grilled cheese companions by preheating a sandwich press or panini grill. Meticulously brush one side of each bread slice with melted butter, ensuring complete coverage. Position two slices butter-side-down and generously layer with grated Gruyère cheese. Crown with the remaining bread slices, butter-side-facing upward.
6. Transform the sandwiches to crispy perfection by grilling for approximately 5 minutes until achieving a golden, crunchy exterior. Transfer to a cutting board, allow a brief 1-minute rest, then slice into precise 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) cubes.
7. Present the soup steaming hot, artfully garnishing with the crispy grilled cheese croutons scattered provocatively across the surface.

Notes

• Caramelize onions slowly for at least 15 minutes to unlock deep, sweet flavors that transform the entire soup’s taste profile.
• Select premium San Marzano tomatoes for their exceptional sweetness and rich, vibrant taste that elevates the soup’s complexity.
• Partially cook orzo pasta separately to maintain perfect texture, preventing mushiness and ensuring a delightful al dente bite.
• Sprinkle a tiny pinch of saffron to introduce luxurious golden color and an elegant, distinctive aromatic essence to your dish.
• Create crispy grilled cheese croutons by toasting bread until golden brown, adding a delicious crunchy element that surprises and delights every spoonful.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 409
• Sugar: 21g
• Sodium: 905mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 48mg