Name: Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth; 1 teaspoon sugar; ½ teaspoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for creaminess); 1 loaf sandwich bread; 8 slices cheddar or American cheese; 4 tablespoons butter, softened

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If you’re in search of the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe is destined to become your new favorite. Imagine dunking crispy, gooey, bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches into rich, silky tomato soup—just like your childhood favorite, but all dressed up for sharing with friends and family. It’s the magic combination of creamy, tangy, savory, and crunchy, perfect for parties, game day, or any time you want cozy comfort food with a seriously fun twist!

Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of humble pantry and fridge staples become something crave-worthy. Every ingredient in this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe brings personality, from classic creamy cheese to bright tomatoes. Let’s break down what makes each one shine:

Olive oil: Sets the foundation for the soup with depth and a velvety texture.
Onion: Gives the soup a lovely sweetness and robust base flavor.
Garlic: Adds delicious savory notes and a comforting aroma.
Crushed tomatoes (28 oz can): Brings tang, color, and heartiness to the soup; make sure to use good quality tomatoes for the brightest flavor.
Vegetable or chicken broth: Lends body, rounds out the richness, and balances acidity.
Sugar: Just a teaspoon smooths out any bitter edges in the tomatoes.
Dried basil: Delivers classic Italian-herb warmth and perfume.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and making all the flavors pop.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle kick and depth of flavor.
Heavy cream (optional): If you desire extra creaminess, stir it in for a luscious, comforting finish.
Sandwich bread: Your canvas for golden, crispy mini sandwiches—white, wheat, brioche, or even sourdough works.
Cheddar or American cheese: Melts beautifully and packs in nostalgic flavor, but feel free to get creative with your favorite slices.
Butter: Ensures each bite is crisped to perfection, with irresistible buttery flavor in every mouthful.

How to Make

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and let them cook together for 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the kitchen fills with that inviting, savory aroma—this is the base that makes the tomato soup taste homemade and soulful!

Step 2: Simmer the Tomato Soup

Pour in the crushed tomatoes, broth, sugar, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir and let everything simmer gently for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is where the flavors deepen and the basil has a chance to infuse the soup with its herby goodness.

Step 3: Blend Until Silky

Time to blend! Use an immersion blender right in the pot, or carefully transfer batches to a stand blender. Blend until you reach a velvety-smooth texture. If you’re after creaminess, now’s the moment to stir in that heavy cream for extra richness. Keep the soup warm while you move on to the next step.

Step 4: Prep the Mini Grilled Cheese

Take your loaf of bread and cut it into small squares or use a round cutter—about two inches wide is perfect for dunking. Butter one side of each piece, which will help achieve golden, crunchy exteriors once grilled.

Step 5: Assemble and Grill the Sandwiches

Place a slice of cheese between two bread pieces, buttered side out. Heat a skillet over medium and cook the mini sandwiches for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until each one is gloriously golden brown and the cheese inside is melt-in-your-mouth gooey. Once done, let them cool slightly before cutting them into bitesize pieces if needed.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Pour the tomato soup into mini cups, mugs, or even shot glasses. Arrange the mini grilled cheese sandwiches alongside, perfect for dipping. This Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe practically begs for sharing—just watch them disappear!

How to Serve

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or a swirl of cream on top of your soup is a delight both visually and in flavor. A crack of black pepper and a pinch of flaky sea salt also go a long way, making each sip of the tomato soup shine.

Side Dishes

While these mini bites are stellar on their own, you can round out your spread with a crisp green salad, some roasted veggies, or a colorful fruit platter. These options balance the comfort-food richness and keep your meal light and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re making these for a party, serve the soup in shot glasses or tiny mugs, with the mini grilled cheese perched on top or hanging off the edge for a playful presentation. Try threading the sandwich pieces onto skewers for easy dipping—there’s no wrong way to have fun with this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. Store leftover mini grilled cheese sandwiches separately in a sealed container—they’ll keep for a day or two, though they’re definitely best when fresh!

Freezing

The tomato soup freezes beautifully—just let it cool, then freeze in containers for up to three months. You can also freeze the un-grilled sandwich pieces (with cheese) and take them out to grill fresh as needed. However, avoid freezing already-grilled sandwiches, as they can lose that lovely crispy texture.

Reheating

Reheat tomato soup on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring well until piping hot. For grilled cheese, refresh them in a toaster oven or hot skillet until the outside is crisp again and the cheese is melty—this helps revive that fresh-from-the-pan magic.

FAQs

Can I use different cheeses for the sandwiches?

Absolutely! While cheddar and American are classics, mozzarella, Gruyère, pepper jack, or any favorite melty cheese will add unique flavor twists to your Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe.

Is it possible to make the soup dairy-free?

Yes! Simply skip the heavy cream or substitute it with a splash of coconut milk or your favorite unsweetened plant-based cream. The tomato soup will still be wonderfully flavorful and creamy.

Do I need to use an immersion blender for the soup?

An immersion blender makes things easy and keeps everything in one pot, but a regular blender works too—just be sure to blend in batches and let the soup cool slightly to avoid any hot splashes.

Can I make this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! Prepare the soup and keep it warm in a slow cooker. You can assemble the mini sandwiches in advance, then quickly grill them just before serving so they’re crisp and melty.

What’s the best bread for mini grilled cheese?

White sandwich bread is classic, but sourdough or brioche add a fancy touch. Anything sturdy enough to hold up to some butter and melting cheese will work in this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about bite-sized comfort food—especially when it’s as nostalgic and fun as this Mini Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Recipe. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and sure to bring smiles to anyone you share it with. Go ahead and give it a try; you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain old grilled cheese!