Best Sandwich Pairings For Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty, comforting dish, but it can be made even better with a sandwich on the side. A simple grilled cheese sandwich is a classic pairing, but you could also try a panini, such as a Hot Turkey Club, or a BLT. If you want to avoid more cheese, a turkey sandwich on crusty bread or a bacon sandwich are also good options. For a vegan alternative, a tempeh bacon sandwich is a great choice.

Grilled cheese sandwich

A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic, comforting choice to serve with broccoli cheese soup. It's a simple yet delicious option that can be made in a variety of ways. Here's a recipe you can follow, along with some tips and variations to make it your own.

Ingredients:

• Bread: Sourdough is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its tang and texture. However, you can also use regular white bread, brioche, ciabatta, or any sturdy loaf that can handle the heat.
• Butter: Salted butter is preferred, but unsalted butter with a pinch of salt works too.
• Cheese: The key to a great grilled cheese sandwich is using a combination of cheeses. Go for a mix of two types of cheese—one for flavour and one for stretch. Here are some options:
• Sharp cheddar: A classic, nutty, and sharp-tasting cheese that melts beautifully.
• Gruyère or raclette: These are types of Alpine-style Swiss cheese known for their excellent melting quality and salty, nutty flavour.
• Mozzarella: Adds that desirable cheese pull and has non-greasy melting qualities, but it has a mild flavour.
• Others: Monterey Jack, Colby, Swiss, vintage cheddar, tasty, or pepper jack.
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise, spread on the outside of the bread, helps the sandwich cook up with a crisp, beautifully browned exterior and adds a richer flavour.
• Dijon mustard: Spread a layer of Dijon mustard on the inside of one slice of bread for a subtle tangy flavour.

Instructions:

• Spread mayonnaise on the outside of both slices of bread.
• Spread Dijon mustard on the inside of one slice of bread.
• Grate your cheese. Grated cheese melts more evenly than sliced cheese.
• Heat a cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat and melt butter in the pan.
• Place one slice of bread in the pan, mayonnaise-side down.
• Pile on the grated cheese. Use enough to create a small mound, generally 1 to 2 ounces of each type of cheese, depending on the size of your bread.
• Place the other slice of bread on top, mayonnaise-side out.
• Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Covering the pan can help trap steam and melt the cheese.
• Flip the sandwich and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
• Transfer to a cutting board and cut in half. Enjoy the cheese pull!

Variations:

• Bread: While sourdough is a popular choice, feel free to experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or ciabatta. Just make sure the loaf is sturdy enough to handle the heat.
• Cheese: Mix and match different types of cheese to find your favourite combination. You can also add blue cheese for extra funk.
• Veggies: Try adding sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes.
• Fruit: For a gourmet touch, use a mix of Gruyère and brie cheese along with thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam.
• Pickles: Layer in pickled red onions, pickled radishes, or pickled jalapeños for a fun pop of flavour.
• Sauce: Replace the mustard with a different sauce, such as pesto, which pairs well with mozzarella and provolone cheese.

Avocado grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 large avocados, ripe but not bruised
• 4 small but fairly thick slices of bread (e.g. sourdough, white bloomer, or wholemeal)
• 2-3 slices of Monterey Jack cheese
• 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese
• Butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: red chilli/chipotle flakes, bacon, tomato

Method

• Prepare the avocado by slicing or mashing it. If slicing, place on a flat surface, halve, remove the stone, peel the skin, and thinly slice.
• Lightly spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
• Place two slices of bread butter-side-down in a pan with the heat off.
• Top with Monterey Jack cheese, followed by avocado slices.
• Season the avocado with salt, pepper, and chilli/chipotle flakes (if using).
• Top with cheddar cheese and the remaining slices of bread, butter-side-up.
• Turn the heat to medium and fry both sides of the sandwich until the bread is crisp and golden, and the cheese has melted.

Serving suggestions

This sandwich goes well with a fried or poached egg, hash browns, or halloumi fries.

Turkey club panini

A Turkey Club Panini is a great sandwich to pair with broccoli cheese soup. Here is a recipe for one:

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or Texas toast)
• 2-4 slices of turkey breast
• 1-2 slices of beef or regular bacon, cooked
• 2 slices of cheese (Muenster, Swiss, or another sandwich cheese)
• 2 Romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• 1-2 tomatoes, sliced
• Butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients:

• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Mayonnaise

Instructions:

• Cook the bacon until crisp.
• Assemble the sandwich by layering the turkey, cheese, tomato, and lettuce on one slice of bread. You can also add sun-dried tomatoes and mayonnaise to the sandwich.
• Brush the outside of the sandwich with butter or olive oil, or spread with mayonnaise.
• Toast the sandwich in a panini press, skillet, or grill pan until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. You can also use a George Foreman grill or a similar appliance.
• Enjoy with a bowl of broccoli cheese soup!

Bacon sandwich

A bacon sandwich is a great pairing with broccoli cheese soup, especially if you are looking for something salty and crunchy.

Ingredients

• Bacon
• Bread (toasted or untoasted)
• Mayonnaise (optional)

Method

Cook the bacon until it is crispy. While the bacon is cooking, toast your bread if you prefer it that way. Spread mayonnaise on the bread (if using). Once the bacon is cooked, place it on the bread, and your sandwich is ready to serve alongside a warm bowl of broccoli cheese soup.

Variations

You can also add other ingredients to your bacon sandwich, such as lettuce, tomato, or avocado, to add some freshness and crunch.

If you are looking for a more substantial meal, you could also turn your bacon sandwich into a BLT by adding some lettuce and tomato.

For an extra indulgent treat, you could also grill your bacon sandwich in a pan with some butter until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Ham and cheese sandwich

To make a ham and cheese sandwich, you will need:

• Bread: whole grain, wholemeal seeded, or sourdough bread are all good options.
• Ham: use wafer-thin slices of deli ham for the perfect ratio of meat to other ingredients.
• Cheese: cheddar is the classic choice, but other options include Swiss, Gruyere, or Red Leicester. Shaving the cheese with a peeler will give you even slices that are less likely to fall out of the sandwich.
• Condiments: butter, mayonnaise, mustard, or a combination of these will add flavour and help the sandwich cook to a golden brown colour.

To make the sandwich, spread butter on the outside of the bread, and mayonnaise, mustard, or both on the inside. Layer on the cheese, then the ham, and finally, add some cracked black pepper to taste. If you like, you can also add spinach, arugula, tomatoes, roasted peppers, chopped olives, artichokes, or a spoonful of salsa. Put the sandwich in a non-stick pan over medium heat, or use a toastie machine, and cook until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted.

Frequently asked questions