Best Sandwich Pairings For Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli cheese soup is a classic comfort food, but what if you want to add some variety to your meal? The answer is simple: make a sandwich! But not just any sandwich will do. To elevate your soup-based feast, consider the following options:

Grilled cheese

Bread

The type of bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich can make a big difference in taste and texture. While you can use traditional white or whole wheat bread, consider using crusty bread such as ciabatta, sourdough, or French bread for a heartier sandwich. You can also add some butter to the outside of the bread to achieve that classic golden brown, crispy exterior.

Cheese

When it comes to grilled cheese, the cheese is the star of the show. For a classic grilled cheese, mild or sharp cheddar cheese is a popular choice. However, you can also experiment with other cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, or Monterrey Jack. If you want to get creative, try using a combination of two or more cheeses for an extra gooey and flavourful sandwich.

Fillings

While grilled cheese is delicious on its own, you can take it to the next level by adding some fillings. Broccoli is an excellent option, especially if you're looking for a way to include more vegetables in your diet. You can roast or sauté the broccoli with some butter, garlic, and onions to enhance its flavour and texture. Other filling options include sweet red peppers, which add a tangy and acidic touch to the sandwich. If you want to add some protein, consider including chicken breast deli meat or bacon.

Cooking Technique

To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, it's important to cook it evenly on both sides. Start by spreading butter on the outside of each slice of bread. Then, assemble your sandwich by layering cheese and fillings. Place the sandwich in a skillet or griddle over medium heat and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can also weigh down the sandwich with a cast-iron skillet or another heavy object to help it cook more evenly.

Serving Suggestions

BLT

For a BLT to accompany broccoli cheese soup, it is best to use a hearty bread, such as sourdough or rye, that will not fall apart when dunked in the soup. You could also add bacon to your BLT for a more indulgent option, or roasted tomatoes for a fresh, summery feel.

The crunch of the bacon and lettuce in a BLT provides a great textural contrast to the smoothness of the soup. You can also add mayonnaise to your BLT, which will give it just the right amount of moisture without making it soggy or mushy. This is ideal, as you don't want your sandwich to become too wet or messy when paired with a soup.

Club sandwich

A club sandwich is a great pairing with broccoli cheese soup. This triple-decker sandwich is a classic for a good reason. It's a hearty and easy meal, full of layers of ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, and veggies. The key to a great club sandwich is in its architecture.

Firstly, choose your bread. White or wheat bread is a common choice, lightly toasted to a golden brown. You will need three slices per sandwich, with the middle slice acting as a separator. The bread should be toasted but not dried out, as it needs to hold the sandwich together.

The next step is to spread mayonnaise on each slice of bread. You can add a little kick by stirring in some Dijon mustard. The meat goes next, and it's essential to place it at the bottom as it is the heaviest element. Thin slices of roast turkey or chicken are recommended, so they don't slip out when taking a bite. You can also add ham to this layer.

Now it's time to add the lettuce. A single leaf or shredded iceberg lettuce can be used, depending on your preference. Next, add the bacon. Crispy, thin slices of bacon are key to a good club sandwich, and they help hold the next ingredient in place.

The tomato is the final component before the middle slice of bread. Thinly sliced tomato is best, and the slightly curled edges of the bacon will help keep the tomato slices in place. The middle slice of bread goes on top, absorbing the tomato juices and providing traction to hold everything together.

The final layer is optional and can be a simple mimic of the first, or you can go lighter on the meat. Some people like to add a thin slice of red onion and a few torn basil leaves. Then, cut the sandwich into halves or quarters, securing it with toothpicks.

The club sandwich is a versatile and satisfying meal, perfect for pairing with broccoli cheese soup. It's a well-loved, iconic sandwich that can be found on menus across the United States.

Roast beef sandwich

A roast beef sandwich is a great pairing with broccoli cheese soup. It is a versatile sandwich that is savory and filling. This sandwich is perfect for when you don't feel like cooking anything too elaborate. You can throw together some roast beef with lettuce, tomato slices, and mayonnaise on rye bread. For a fancier option, you can use brioche or potato burger buns. You can also load up your sandwich with additional toppings like sliced red onions, lettuce, and tomatoes.

If you want to take your roast beef sandwich to the next level, you can make a homemade roast beef and cheddar sandwich. This sandwich is inspired by Arby's classic roast beef and cheddar sandwich. To make it, you'll need to prepare a decadent cheddar cheese sauce. Start by melting butter in a pot over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in flour until smooth. Then, add milk, Dijon mustard, and salt, whisking until well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in grated cheddar cheese until you have a smooth cheese sauce.

To assemble the sandwich, pile a generous portion of roast beef onto the bottom bun, smother it with the cheese sauce, and top it with the remaining bun. Serve it immediately while the cheese is still warm and gooey. This sandwich is best paired with sides like Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Homemade Potato Chips with Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce, or Crispy Baked Cauliflower Tots.

The key to a successful pairing is balancing the flavors and textures of the sandwich and the soup. The roast beef sandwich brings a savory and hearty element to complement the creaminess of the soup. The crunch of the lettuce and the tang of the mayonnaise also add a nice contrast to the rich soup.

So, the next time you're craving a cozy and indulgent meal, whip up a batch of broccoli cheese soup and don't forget to include a roast beef sandwich on the side!

Avocado grilled cheese

A delicious, creamy, and buttery sandwich, the avocado grilled cheese is the perfect side to go with broccoli cheese soup. Here is a detailed recipe to make this mouth-watering sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of sourdough bread
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 4 slices of Gruyere or Provolone cheese
• 4 tablespoons of softened butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

• Lightly spread butter on one side of all the bread slices.
• Place one slice of bread on a plate, buttered side down, and layer with cheddar cheese, avocado slices (mash them down slightly), and Gruyere or Provolone cheese.
• Top with the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up.
• Preheat a panini maker or saute pan over medium heat.
• Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, approximately 4 minutes.

Tips:

• For added flavour and texture, use seeded bread, such as poppy or sesame seed loaf.
• Season the avocado with salt, pepper, and chilli flakes for a spicy kick.
• For a more indulgent sandwich, spread garlic butter on the bread instead of regular butter. Simply mix softened butter with minced garlic and parsley.
• If you prefer your avocado mashed, go ahead and mash! Many people also prefer to finely slice the avocado for added texture and stability.
• For a more substantial meal, serve the sandwich with a fried or poached egg on top.

Other Sandwich Suggestions with Broccoli Cheese Soup:

• Bacon sandwich
• "Cheese-less" cheese steak sandwich
• Turkey on crusty sandwich bread
• Roasted garlic spread on rye bread

Frequently asked questions