Name: Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 stalk celery, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano; 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, "no-chicken" broth or vegetable broth; 0.25 cup heavy cream; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon ground pepper; 2 large slices whole-wheat country bread; 2 ounces sliced sharp Cheddar cheese (3 slices); 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

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Skip the dipping and add crispy grilled cheese croutons right into your soup instead. Don't have a panini press? Make the grilled cheese for the croutons in a skillet or in a waffle maker instead. Opt for San Marzano tomatoes if you can. They have a much richer flavor and they tend to be lower in sodium.

Hilary Meyer

Updated on September 26, 2018

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Prep Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Calorie Egg Free Nut-Free High Calcium Soy-Free Bone Health Healthy Aging

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, "no-chicken" broth or vegetable broth
¼ cup heavy cream (Optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 large slices whole-wheat country bread
2 ounces sliced sharp Cheddar cheese (3 slices)
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds.
Stir in tomatoes (with juice). Add broth and bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Puree the soup in the pot using an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Stir in cream, if using, salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, preheat a panini maker.
Spread one side of each slice of bread with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Turn the slices over and top one with cheese. Top with the other slice, butter-side up.
Cook the sandwich in the panini maker until golden brown and the cheese has melted, 4 to 5 minutes. Cut the sandwich into bite-size pieces.
Divide the soup among 4 bowls. Top each serving with grilled cheese croutons and a sprinkle of basil.

Tips

To make ahead: Prepare through Step 3 and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

258	Calories
13g	Fat
28g	Carbs
12g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups soup & 1/4 cup croutons
Calories 258
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 28g	10%
Dietary Fiber 5g	18%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 12g	24%
Total Fat 13g	17%
Saturated Fat 7g	34%
Cholesterol 29mg	10%
Vitamin A 148IU	3%
Vitamin C 28mg	31%
Folate 46mcg	12%
Sodium 430mg	19%
Calcium 236mg	18%
Iron 3mg	14%
Magnesium 31mg	7%
Potassium 617mg	13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.