Tomato Soup's Cheesy Affair: Best Cheese Pairings

There are few combinations as comforting as a warm bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The perfect grilled cheese to pair with tomato soup is a matter of personal preference, but there are a few popular options. For a classic pairing, a simple grilled cheese sandwich made with buttered bread and cheddar or American cheese is a great choice. If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, a sharp pimento cheese or a combination of cheddar and gouda on sourdough bread can take your grilled cheese to the next level. For a fun twist, try adding some fresh basil or a slice of ghost pepper cheese to your sandwich.

Grilled cheese sandwich

The grilled cheese sandwich is a classic, comforting dish that is perfect for dunking into a warm bowl of tomato soup. Here's a guide on how to make the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich to pair with your tomato soup.

Ingredients:

• Bread: Thick slices of sourdough bread are recommended for a hearty sandwich.
• Cheese: There are many types of cheese that pair well with tomato soup. A combination of mozzarella and jack cheese, or cheddar and gouda, are popular choices. Other options include American cheese, Monterey jack, Gruyere, pepper jack, or a spicy jalapeno cheese for a fun twist.
• Butter: Salted butter is essential for grilling the sandwich and achieving a crispy exterior.

Optional Ingredients:

• Spices: Fresh basil or caramelized onions can add a depth of flavour to your sandwich.
• Condiments: Mayonnaise can be spread on the outside of the bread for a golden crunch.

Instructions:

• Butter one side of each slice of bread generously.
• Heat a skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
• Place your chosen cheese on the non-buttered side of one slice of bread.
• Place the bread, buttered side down, into the hot pan and cover with a lid.
• After about two minutes, add the second slice of bread on top, buttered side up.
• Place the lid back on and cook for another two minutes.
• Flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown.
• Repeat the process for additional sandwiches.

Tips:

• For an extra crispy exterior, spread mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of, or in addition to, butter.
• Get creative with your cheese choices! Mix and match different types of cheese to find your favourite combination.
• Don't be afraid to branch out with different types of bread. Bakery bread with grains or sourdough can add a nice flavour and texture to your sandwich.

Parmesan

If you're making your own tomato soup from scratch, you can add Parmesan to the soup as you cook it. Simply grate some Parmesan into the soup, or add a Parmesan rind to the pot and let it simmer along with the other ingredients. You can fish the rind out with a wooden spoon if it gets stuck to the bottom of the pot. If you're using an immersion blender to blend your soup, make sure to remove the rind first, so it doesn't get stuck to the blades.

If you're using shop-bought tomato soup, you can still add grated Parmesan to the soup as you heat it up. Or, for an extra special touch, make Parmesan toasts to dunk into your soup. To make these, rub a sliced baguette with garlic, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and bake in the oven until golden brown.

For a lighter option, you can use fat-free half-and-half or milk instead of cream in your tomato and Parmesan soup. This will reduce the calorie count without sacrificing flavour.

Tomato and Parmesan soup is a comforting, satisfying dish, perfect for cold weather. It pairs well with grilled cheese sandwiches, crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple Caesar salad.

Cheddar

When making a tomato soup with cheddar, it's important to use a good-quality, sharp cheddar cheese. Lower-quality cheddars may not melt as smoothly, and the flavour may cook out, leaving your soup lacking that cheesy kick.

You can simply grate the cheddar and stir it into the soup, allowing it to melt and combine. Or, for a smoother soup, blend the cheese with the soup in a blender.

For an extra special touch, serve your tomato and cheddar soup with grilled cheese croutons. This classic combination is sure to impress and satisfy, especially on a cold, rainy day.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can of fire-roasted or whole peeled tomatoes
• 2-3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme, salt, and pepper (you can use fresh thyme, too)
• 6-8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup of whole milk or cream
• Grilled cheese croutons and minced parsley, to serve (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for about 3 minutes, until fragrant and slightly caramelised.
• Add the tomatoes with their liquid, chicken/vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly. If using fresh thyme, remove and discard the stems.
• Blend the soup until smooth, either directly in the pot using an immersion blender or in batches using a regular blender.
• Return the soup to the pot and slowly stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time. Continue until all the cheese has melted and combined.
• Finally, stir in the milk or cream. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed.
• Serve the soup hot, topped with grilled cheese croutons and minced parsley, if desired.

This comforting and flavourful soup is perfect for a rainy day, and it only takes about 30 minutes to make! Enjoy the cheesy, creamy goodness!

Mozzarella

To make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich to dip in your tomato soup, you'll need:

• Sliced sourdough bread
• Butter
• Mozzarella cheese, grated or sliced

Butter one side of each slice of bread generously. Place your slices of bread butter-side down in a hot pan. Add a handful of grated mozzarella or a few slices of mozzarella to one slice of bread. Cover with the other slice, butter-side up. Cook the sandwich for a few minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

You can also add some fresh basil leaves or a slice of fresh tomato to your sandwich for extra flavour.

So, if you're looking for a classic, comforting combination, go for mozzarella with your tomato soup!

Sour cream

A simple recipe for tomato soup with sour cream involves combining diced peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, beef bouillon, basil, Italian seasoning, and sour cream in a crockpot or large pot. This soup can be cooked on low for 3-4 hours or heated on medium until hot. It is served with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and garlic toast on the side.

For a more complex flavour profile, a recipe for Creamy Tomato Soup with Cheese Toasties includes additional ingredients such as carrots, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. The soup is pureed for a smooth texture and served with a dollop of sour cream on top.

Frequently asked questions