Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons is a creative lunch or dinner recipe that will warm you up on a cold day!
Author:
Recipe type: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
  • 2 cups finely chopped yellow onions
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup orzo
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Grilled Cheese Croutons (see below)
Instructions
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, paprika, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  5. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil.
  6. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup.)
  7. Drain the orzo and add it to the soup.
  8. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.
  9. Serve hot with Grilled Cheese Croutons dropped on top. Serve immediately so the croutons don't get soggy.
  10. Grilled Cheese Croutons:
  11. (1/2-inch-thick) slices country white bread
  12. tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  13. ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
  14. Heat a panini grill or skillet. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners.
  15. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices.
  16. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up.
  17. Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill (or do in a skillet) for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute so the cheesy isn't too gooey and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Recipe by Wishes and Dishes at https://wishesndishes.com/easy-tomato-soup-and-grilled-cheese-croutons/