Hearty Barefoot Contessa’s Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of homemade tomato soup that whispers nostalgia and warmth.

Rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced, this Barefoot Contessa easy tomato soup & grilled cheese croutons recipe promises a delightful culinary experience.

Ina Garten’s genius touch turns classic comfort food into an extraordinary meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Smooth, creamy tomatoes blend with aromatic herbs to create a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Crispy, golden grilled cheese croutons add a delightful crunch that elevates every spoonful.

The recipe combines simplicity with sophisticated taste, making it perfect for cozy evenings or casual gatherings.

With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can craft a soul-warming dish that feels like a culinary hug.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons

• Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor foundation and helps sauté vegetables smoothly.
• Onions: Adds deep, sweet undertones and creates aromatic base for the soup.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor and enhances overall taste profile.
• Chicken Stock: Creates liquid depth and adds savory complexity to the soup.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Brings vibrant, tangy richness and smooth texture.
• Saffron: Introduces delicate golden color and subtle exotic essence.
• Sea Salt: Balances and amplifies natural ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, spicy undertone and gentle heat.

• Orzo: Adds delightful texture and transforms soup into hearty meal.

• Double Cream: Creates luxurious, silky smoothness and rounds out flavor profile.

• Bread: Serves as crispy, golden vessel for melted cheese.
• Gruyère Cheese: Delivers nutty, complex melting quality with rich flavor.
• Butter: Ensures golden, crisp exterior and enhances sandwich's richness.

Tools You Need for This Cozy Combo

• Large pot or casserole dish: Main cooking vessel for simmering soup and sautéing ingredients.
• Medium pot: For boiling water and cooking orzo pasta.
• Sandwich press or panini grill: Crucial for creating perfectly golden grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Chopping board: Used for cutting sandwiches into croutons.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: For stirring soup and cooking onions.
• Measuring spoons: To measure salt and seasonings accurately.
• Sharp knife: For precise cutting of sandwich croutons.
• Colander or strainer: To drain orzo pasta.

How to Make Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Comfort Food Symphony

• Onion and Garlic Foundation Gently sauté onions in olive oil until they transform into a golden landscape, then whisper garlic into the mix for an extra layer of depth.
• Liquid Poetry Create a harmonious base by combining chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, saffron, salt, and pepper. Let the flavors dance and simmer, releasing their magical essence.
• Pasta Adventure Cook orzo until it's tender, then introduce it to the soup, allowing it to absorb the surrounding flavors and become part of the culinary story.
• Creamy Transformation Stir double cream into the soup, creating a silky texture that wraps around each ingredient like a warm embrace.
• Sandwich Crafting Butter bread slices and lovingly layer Gruyère cheese between them, preparing for a crispy transformation.
• Grilled Cheese Alchemy Toast sandwiches until they reach a perfect golden crispness, then slice into delightful little cubes that will crown your soup.
• Final Presentation Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and sprinkle the crispy cheese croutons on top, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Tips & Shortcuts for Soup & Croutons

• Adjust the soup's consistency by adding more chicken stock for a thinner version or simmering longer to create a richer, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Swap Gruyère with sharp cheddar, fontina, or a blend of cheeses to create unique grilled cheese crouton experiences that match your taste preferences.
• Enhance the soup by stirring in fresh chopped herbs like basil or adding roasted vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini for extra depth and nutrition.
• Kick up the heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce to give the tomato soup a warming, spicy undertone.
• Prepare the soup base and grilled cheese croutons separately up to two days in advance, storing them in airtight containers to simplify meal preparation and save time.

The Best Way to Serve This Comfort Classic

• Pair with Fresh Side Salad: Complement the rich soup with a light, crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the creamy tomato base.
• Create Elegant Table Setting: Arrange white ceramic bowls, add cloth napkins, and place grilled cheese croutons artfully on soup surface for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Add Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay to enhance the soup's creamy tomato flavors and cut through the richness.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or chives over the soup to add a bright, fresh note and create visual appeal to the dish.

Planning Ahead for Soup & Crouton Leftovers

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Gently: Warm soup slowly on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup seems too thick. Avoid boiling to maintain creamy texture.
• Crouton Care: Keep grilled cheese croutons separate from soup until serving. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days to maintain crispiness.

Rustic Barefoot Contessa Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s easy tomato soup delights with rich, roasted flavors and crispy grilled cheese croutons. Comfort classics merge for a delicious meal you’ll savor with pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 1 x 800 g (28 oz) tin crushed tomatoes, San Marzano recommended
• 450 g (1 lb) chopped yellow onions (about 2 large onions)
• 1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock, homemade preferred
• 115 g (4 oz) Gruyère cheese, grated
• 4 slices thick country-style white bread
• 120 ml (½ cup) double cream
• 75 g (2.6 oz) orzo pasta
• 3 tbsps good quality olive oil
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• Large pinch saffron threads
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Gently sauté onions for 15 minutes until golden, then introduce minced garlic and cook for one minute to release its fragrant essence.
2. Soup Construction: Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, saffron threads, sea salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
3. Pasta Integration: Cook orzo in salted water, drain, and fold into the simmering soup. This technique ensures the pasta absorbs the rich, layered flavors of the tomato base.
4. Creamy Transformation: Incorporate double cream, returning the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring carefully to prevent any scorching and to create a luxurious, silky texture.
5. Grilled Cheese Crouton Preparation: Preheat sandwich press or panini grill. Brush bread slices with melted butter, layer with Gruyère cheese, and grill until achieving a golden, crisp exterior.
6. Final Composition: Slice grilled cheese into precise cubes. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and artfully scatter the crispy croutons across the surface, creating a textural and visual masterpiece.

Notes

• Caramelize Onions Carefully: Take time to slowly cook onions until golden brown, releasing their natural sweetness and developing a rich flavor base for the soup.
• Pasta Texture Matters: Cook orzo slightly under al dente since it will continue softening in the hot soup, preventing mushy pasta.
• Cream Addition Technique: Stir cream gently and avoid boiling to maintain smooth texture and prevent separation or curdling.
• Grilled Cheese Crouton Tip: Use room temperature butter for easier spreading and ensure even, crispy browning on sandwich surfaces.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg