Looking for a cozy and delicious meal to warm you up? Check out this recipe for Roasted Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese! This comforting dish is easy to make and packed with flavor. Learn how to make it and get all the tips you need for the perfect soup and sandwich combo.
Why this recipe works
Roasting the tomatoes, onion, and garlic before blending them into a soup gives the dish a more complex and robust flavor. The caramelization of the vegetables enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes while also bringing out the umami notes in the garlic and onions. Using sweet vine tomatoes ensures the soup has a well-balanced and sweet taste. Adding vegetable broth and fresh basil gives the soup a savory and herbaceous quality, while a splash of double cream provides a silky and luxurious texture.
Grilling the cheese pesto sandwich not only makes it crispy and crunchy but also melts the cheese into a gooey and delicious filling. The combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese adds a depth of flavor, and the green basil pesto provides a fresh and herbaceous taste. The crusty bread holds up well against the melted cheese, making the sandwich easy to eat without falling apart.
What is Roasted Tomato Soup
Roasted Tomato Soup is a comforting and flavorful soup that is made by roasting tomatoes, onions and garlic before blending them into a smooth, creamy soup. This soup is perfect for a cozy night in or as a starter for a dinner party.
Best ingredients for Roasted Tomato Soup
The ingredients for roasted tomato soup are straightforward, but a few notes can help make the best version of the meal:
- Tomatoes: Sweet vine tomatoes are the best for this recipe because they have a natural sweetness that complements the roasted garlic and onions. Roma or plum tomatoes also work well.
- Garlic: Roasting garlic removes its pungent and sharp flavor and makes it sweet and mild. Make sure to cut off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves and drizzle with olive oil before roasting.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves add a herbaceous and bright note to the soup. You can use dried basil if fresh is unavailable, but the flavor won’t be as bright.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese has a sharp and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the roasted tomato soup. Mozzarella cheese has a mild and creamy taste that melts well. You can use other types of cheese, such as provolone or Swiss if preferred.
- Bread: A crusty and sturdy bread works best for this sandwich, as it holds up well against the cheese and pesto. Sourdough or French bread is ideal.
How to make Roasted Tomato Soup
Making Roasted Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese is easy! Here’s how:
Preheat your oven to 4000F/200°C. Halve sweet vine tomatoes and onion, and cut the top off the head of garlic. Place them on a baking dish, drizzle generously with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 30 minutes. Once they’re done, transfer them to a tall glass jar or container, add vegetable broth, fresh basil and the juices released during roasting. Blend using a hand blender until smooth. Taste, adjust salt and pepper if needed, and serve with a splash of double cream and fresh basil leaves.
Storing and Freezing Tips
Roasted Tomato Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Top Tips for The Best Roasted Tomato Soup
- Use sweet vine tomatoes for the soup, as they have a natural sweetness that complements the roasted garlic and onions.
- Roast the vegetables until they are caramelized and soft, as this brings out their natural sweetness and umami flavor.
- Use a tall glass jar or container to blend the soup with a hand blender, as this will prevent splatters and make it easier to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Adjust the salt and pepper in the soup to taste, as this will ensure that it has a balanced and flavorful taste.
- Use crusty and sturdy bread for the grilled cheese pesto sandwich, as it holds up well against the cheese and pesto.
- Grate the mozzarella cheese on top of the cheddar cheese, as this ensures that it melts evenly and creates a gooey and delicious filling.
- Grill the sandwich over medium-low heat and flip it gently, as this prevents the cheese from leaking out and ensures that the bread is crispy and golden brown.
Tomato Soup with fresh tomatoes is perfect for any weather!
Roasted tomato soup with pesto grilled cheese is a perfect comfort meal that will warm you up during colder months. The sweet and smoky flavor of roasted tomatoes pairs perfectly with the cheesy and aromatic pesto grilled cheese sandwich. The simplicity of this recipe allows for the best flavors of the ingredients to shine through, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.
By following the steps in this recipe, you can easily make a delicious and healthy roasted tomato soup with a pesto grilled cheese sandwich. Whether you enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or as a starter, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your household. So grab your apron and get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious meal!
FAQ
What is roasted tomato soup?
Roasted Tomato Soup is a soup made by roasting tomatoes, onions and garlic before blending them into a smooth, creamy soup.
What tomatoes are the best for roasted tomato soup?
Sweet vine tomatoes are the best choice for Roasted Tomato Soup. They’re ripe, juicy and have a natural sweetness that’s perfect for this soup.
Is roasted tomato soup healthy?
Yes, Roasted Tomato Soup can be a healthy choice. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene – an antioxidant that’s been linked to a lower risk of cancer and heart disease.
Why roast tomatoes for soup?
Roasting tomatoes, onions and garlic brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the soup. It’s a simple technique that takes this soup from ordinary to extraordinary.
Roasted Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese
2
servings10
minutes30
minutesRoasted tomato soup with pesto grilled cheese is a perfect comfort meal that will warm you up during colder months. The sweet and smoky flavor of roasted tomatoes pairs perfectly with the cheesy and aromatic pesto grilled cheese sandwich.
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INGREDIENTS
- Roasted Tomato Soup:
1.65 lbs (750g) sweet vine tomatoes, halved
1 large onion, halved
1 head garlic, cut the top off
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup vegetable broth, hot
handful fresh basil leaves
splash of heavy cream
- Grilled Cheese Pesto Sandwich:
4 slices crusty bread
4 tsp green basil pesto
4 slices cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
- Roasted Tomato Soup:
- Preheat the oven to 4000F/ 2000C. Place tomatoes, onion and head of garlic on a baking dish, drizzle generously with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a tall glass jar or container. Add hot vegetable broth, fresh basil and juices released during roasting. Blend using a hand blender until smooth. Taste, and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a pot and heat up to the desired temperature.
- Transfer to serving bowls, and add a splash of heavy cream. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve with Grilled Cheese Pesto Sandwich.
- Grilled Cheese Pesto Sandwich:
- Prepare 4 slices of crusty bread and spread 1 tsp of green pesto on each slice.
- Add 2 slices of cheddar cheese, then grated mozzarella cheese. Close using another slice of bread (green pesto side down).
- On a large frying pan heat up olive oil and toast on both sides until crispy and the cheese melted. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use sweet, ripe tomatoes for the best results.
- Grill sandwich on medium-low heat to ensure the bread is crispy and golden brown.
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Delicious! Doubled the garlic because we are sick and fighting a flu . Love the pesto sandwich , compliments the soup beautifully.
That’s amazing, thank you Mckayla!