Homemade Rustic Tomato Soup
Sandwiches and tomato soup, a love story that could rival any Nicholas Sparks movie.
Whether you dip, dunk, or sip, everything about the taste is complimentary.
The tomato soup brings the perfect amount of acidity while remaining creamy and smooth.
This pair is so compatible that it can be hard to move away from this iconic meal.
The can of Campbells that you had on crisp fall days as a child is a quick, basic side. There are so many options to make tomato soup more fun.
Want hearty and healthy?
If youre watching your sodium intake, but you dont want to sacrifice flavor, this rustic tomato soup is the way to go.
A natural, delicious, homemade recipe is the perfect match.
Tips For Making A Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Heat the pan to medium-low heat. This might sound odd, but the low and slow method is undoubtedly the way to go regarding grilled cheese sandwiches. When cooking the sandwich at too high of a heat, it risks burning the bread, which nobody wants. Cooking it on medium heat will take a bit longer, but it will turn the bread perfectly crispy while giving time for the cheese to melt.
Related: 10 Condiments to Help You Make A Satisfying Sandwich
- Here is a pro tip that might catch ones eye because of how peculiar it is: Put mayonnaise on the inside and the outside of the bread. Thats right, smother the mayo on the sides that will be the outer part of the sandwich. One will have to take our word for this, but placing the mayo on the outside of the bread will give the ultimate crunch factor that many grilled cheese sandwiches lack. This works because the creamy composition of mayo cooks to form a crust, similar to when french toast is dipped in eggs and then fried.
- Be gentle when flipping the sandwich to avoid all of the cheese or other components from spilling out. If flipping the sandwich with the spatula is too tedious, try grabbing a plate and placing it upside down on top of the sandwich. From there, hold the plate with one hand while turning the pan upside down with the other, placing the sandwich right-side-up on the plate. Then, slide the sandwich back into the pan to cook the other side.
What To Eat With Grilled Cheese
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Creamy, gooey, toasty, with a buttery crunch all readers will agree that grilled cheese is a slice of heaven. Its that comfort food everyone looks forward to on any occasion a quick treat, a sumptuous breakfast, or a savory snack.
There are few things as satisfying as a perfectly cooked grilled cheese sandwich. Its soft and crunchy texture with a rich and creamy interior make it the ultimate comfort food. What we love most about grilled cheese is its versatility.
Its not just a kids menu option or a light snack, but in fact, has the potential to turn into a complete and satisfying meal when paired with sides. So, in this article, we will talk about what to eat with grilled cheese to suit all tastes.
Contents
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How To Serve Grilled Cheese
When your grilled cheese sandwich is cooked to perfection, you can absolutely eat it straight up. Some people add condiments like ketchup, while others might enjoy diner style, with a dill pickle on the side.
A grilled cheese also makes an excellent accompaniment to a fresh, green salad with a zippy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cheese. And of course, grilled cheese with souptomato soup in particularis a classic pairing for this iconic American sandwich.
What To Serve With A Grill Cheese On A Chili Day
The flavors here really bring us straight to a sports game or a weekend camping in the great outdoors.
Is this combination just a chili-cheese dog without the dog? Maybe it is, and we love it.
Do chili your way and dip it, spread it, or eat it separately.
Whether you are watching football on the couch or lunch for work, this is quite the meal.
The spice changes the flavor vibe of the sandwich, the acidity balances the cheese, and the meat brings ties it all together with some hearty substance.
Take it to the next level and use cornbread when you make your grilled cheese.
Genius, right?
Sam from Quarter Soul Crisis has a chili recipe that is fast, easy, and delicious!
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How To Make The Perfect Grilled Cheese
Achieving the perfect grilled cheese is quite an accomplishment, at least in our opinion. Creating that buttery, golden crispy crust on the outside, with the beloved ooey-gooey cheese on the inside is like no other. Its all about the crust. Kind of like when youre roasting marshmallows on the campfire and want to get that perfectly golden, brown outside.
Spicy Black Bean Corn Salad
Add a little spice in your life by giving this classic meal an ethnic flavor.
We love this salad that is packed with colorful nutrients. It adds beauty to your plate and a Latin twist to your pallet!
The sweetness of the corn and avocado matched with spicy black beans, red peppers, onion, and cilantro combines with the grilled cheese for a well rounded, flavor-packed meal.
This easy recipe for a nutrient-dense side can be found at Dinner at the Zoo, and this zoo has free admission!
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Easy Sides For Grilled Cheese
Looking for easy sides for grilled cheese? Look no further! From soups, to salads to super quick ideas, youll find 24 of the best sides to serve with grilled cheese.
A nice grilled cheese sandwich has it all, friends! Its warm, comforting, crispy, meltyand soooo quick and easy to make! There are so many fun variations, too! Yep, a grilled cheese dinner is an all-around crowd pleaser!
My new obsession is making grilled cheese in the air fryer! So easy and you can make multiple sandwiches at once! In my Cosori 12 in 1 Air Fryer, I can make up to 4 sandwiches all at one time! Love it! And they a perfectly golden and crispy every time! Here is my current favorite air fryer grilled cheese:
So now that you have the perfect grilled cheese recipes, wondering what to serve with your grilled cheese?? Look not further! I have compiled 24 of the best sides for grilled cheese right here!
Ive broken them down by: Soup Sides, Salad Sides, Fruit & Veggie Sides and Super Quick Sides. Refer back to this list so youll never have wonder to what to serve with grilled cheese again!
How To Make Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is processed relatively simply as follows:
- Ingredients Preparation:
5 tbsp. of softened butter or mayo, 4 slices of bread, and 2 slices of shredded Cheddar or other American cheese. If I may make a suggestion, Id say that white American cheese features really elevate your grilled cheese.
On one side of each breads slice, film over about a teaspoon of butter. Then, face the butter-coated bread down, and top each other side with a piece of cheddar cheese.
Then, put 1 tbsp. of butter in the pan on medium heat until it melted. After that, put two slices onto the melted butter with face down and grill for about 2 minutes. Then, wait until the pieces of bread go brown and the cheese on them is melted.
Next, turn each piece of bread over and continue to grill the other face of them for some minutes until the cheese is melted and the breads faces are brown, too. Finally, repeat this process for the second grilled cheese sandwich. You can empty the pan before doing this as needed.
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30 Sides For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
This Creamy Potato Salad with Fresh Dill is packed with flavor and makes the perfect BBQ side dish, picnic fare or potluck take-a-long. This deliciousness can be made vegetarian or vegan and is naturally gluten-free.Grab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeIncredibly quick and easy 5-Ingredient Baked Garlic Pepper Polenta fries! This vegan gluten-free snack or appetizer is full of healthy and crispy deliciousness!Grab The RecipeGrab The RecipeA super simple yet flavorful and creamy Sweet Potato Soup for the Instant Pot or stovetop. Vegan and gluten-free.Grab The RecipeGrab The RecipeBroccoli Cheddar Soup Instant Potelectric pressure cooker.Stovetop instructionsGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeThese quick and easy refrigerator pickles are super simple to make, healthy and satisfying, and filled to the brim with rich, spicy flavors! Gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, too!Grab The RecipeThe Vegetarian Family CookbookGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeThis comforting and heart-warming White Bean Soup is packed with flavorful Mexican spices for a truly delicious vegan soup recipe that is healthy, easy to make and can be made with soaked or unsoaked dry white beans! Both Instant Pot pressure cooker and stovetop instructions are included for this spicy, smoky, keto friendly soup!Grab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The RecipeGrab The Recipe
Forget The Second Slice
Another easy tip to keep things slim is to make an open faced sandwich and skip the slice of bread on top. You can lessen your carb intake and still get all the great flavors you’re looking for in a grilled cheese. Top it with tomato or a homemade salsa and a poached egg to really get in an extra kick.
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Lighten The Butter Load
Butter is a typical component of the classic grilled cheese to achieve that crispy outer texture and depth of flavor, but it’s also packed with saturated fat and calories. Go for the organic grass-fed kinds and don’t lather it on the same way you would your conditioner in the shower. You can still reach that same crunch with just a teaspoon of butter. This will reduce your calorie load and help you get to those summer body goals in no time. For more smart swaps and tips, see these 25 Ways to Cut 250 Calories.
Use A Panini Maker Instead
As we mentioned earlier, this is a great tool for your grilled cheese culinary adventure. You can even skip the butter and oils completely! But how will I get the crispy bread I love so much?! Don’t freak out! Panini makers are an awesome way to get a crisp crunch on a sandwich without using any of that extra fat.
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The Options Are Unlimited
Keep it classic and make your grilled cheese using just cheese and bread. Or be an innovator and load up that sandwich with your favorite veggies, spicy sauces, or even fruits ! These days, there are even entire restaurants dedicated to a menu based solely on various grilled cheeses. When you’re talking two slices of bread and melted cheese, there’s pretty much nothing that won’t taste good in between. We suggest using ingredients like avocado, tomato, or spinach to increase the nutritional value and up the taste! Did you just drool a little bit at the thought of some avocado? Then don’t miss these 18 Tasty Ways to Satisfy Your Avocado Cravings!
What Is The Origin Of Grilled Cheese
Try this recipe at home with Spring Brook Farm’s Reading Raclette.
Humans have combined toasted bread with cheese since, well, the existence of bread and cheesefor example, fondue and raclette.
No one knows who exactly did it first, but the version most Americans probably think ofcheese melted between slices of bread toasted in a pan with butter or another cooking fatarose with the development of sliced bread in the early 20th century. The sandwich really took off with the advent of Kraft processed cheese singles in the 1940s.
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And Don’t Go Overboard
Loading up on too much cheese is not only a weight loss no-no, it decreases the quality of your grilled cheese! When there’s too much cheese between the bread, it’s almost impossible for you to get a full melt without overcooking the bread. A cool trick to make the grilled cheese feel heartierwithout having to pile on excess cheeseis to mash beans or avocado and add it to the sandwich. You’ll get more of the good fats and steer clear of excess inflammation.
Turn Your Grilled Cheese Into Breakfast
And when you really cant with the whole dinner thing, make the simple and always satisfying Bacon and Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwich at The Baker Upstairs. Beer goes with breakfast, right?
Other grilled cheese breakfast-for-dinner ideas: Grilled cheese waffles , a leftover pancake grilled cheese sandwich, or just a grilled cheese with sliced hard boiled eggs and sliced bacon.
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Is Grilled Cheese Good For Your Health
And although I want to tell you that grilled cheese is also a super healthy dinner option, grilled cheese sandwiches actually contain high calories, saturated fat, and in some cases, sodium, so you should not overeat them.
However, if you know clearly about what you eat and adjust it to be suitable for your bodys needs, nothing will be wrong for you. The staple foods of grilled cheese are whole grain bread and cheese, which are necessary for your health in a medium amount.
Therefore, if you have strong cheese, you can use less cheese in the sandwich to reduce calories. Using whole wheat bread will increase the fiber content and make the grilled cheese sandwich have a nutty flavor.
From Basic Grilled Cheese To Gourmet Grilled Cheese
And now that you know what to have WITH grilled cheese, lets think about what to put IN your grilled cheese. And in our opinion, this is where the fun begins. You can literally turn a basic grilled cheese into a delectable gourmet dish by carefully choosing add-ins. Unleash your creativity and see what you come up with. The skys the limit! Wed love to hear your ideas in the comments below.Are you in the mood for a savory grilled cheese, something salty, added sweetness or a healthy combination? Here is our short list of what to put IN your grilled cheese sandwich. And remember, the skys the limit!
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Ancient Greece And Rome
Ancient credited with the discovery of cheese. ‘s describes the making and storing sheep’s and goats’ milk cheese ” rel=”nofollow”> Samuel Butler):
We soon reached his cave, but he was out shepherding, so we went inside and took stock of all that we could see. His cheese-racks were loaded with cheeses, and he had more lambs and kids than his pens could hold…
When he had so done he sat down and milked his ewes and goats, all in due course, and then let each of them have her own young. He curdled half the milk and set it aside in wicker strainers.
‘s De Re Rustica details a cheesemaking process involving rennet coagulation, pressing of the curd, salting, and aging. According to , it had become a sophisticated enterprise by the time the came into being. Cheese was an everyday food and cheesemaking a mature art in the Roman empire. devotes a chapter to describing the diversity of cheeses enjoyed by Romans of the early Empire. He stated that the best cheeses came from the villages near , but did not keep long and had to be eaten fresh. Cheeses of the and were as remarkable for their variety then as now. A cheese was noted for being made mostly from sheep’s milk, and some cheeses produced nearby were stated to weigh as much as a thousand pounds each. Goats’ milk cheese was a recent taste in Rome, improved over the “medicinal taste” of ‘s similar cheeses by . Of cheeses from overseas, Pliny preferred those of in Asia Minor.
Whats The Difference Between A Grilled Cheese And A Melt
This is a question that has the power to provoke surprisingly strong feelings on certain corners of the internet. In any case, its a fairly simple answer.
A grilled cheese is a dish of cheese between two pieces of bread, fried, baked, or grilled. A melt is similar, but also includes some kind of meat or fish like chicken or tuna.
Another difference is that grilled cheese is traditionally made using sandwich bread whereas melts can be made with many other kinds of bread .
Melts also are typically free to use a wider range of cheeses.
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Best Sides For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Grilled cheese sandwiches are classic comfort food that’s always a hit with kids and adults alike. But what do you serve with it?
Here are some ideas for side dishes that will complement your grilled cheesesandwich perfectly. From easy sides like salads to more complex dishes like macaroni and cheese, we’ve got you covered!
Why Do We Eat Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup
Because its delicious, of coursebut there is a real, historical reason behind this combination, aside from the way the bright yet rich soup and melty, buttery sandwich complement each other.
After World War II, nutrition standards for school children were updated to include more nutrients per meal, which meant that a grilled cheese sandwich had to be served with an accompanying side dish.
Canned tomato soup, with its Vitamin C content, long shelf life, and affordability, checked those dietary boxes, and a generation fell in love with this tasty combination. We love a classic cheddar-based grilled cheese dunked in a bowl of tomato soup or an artisan grilled cheese with cooling tomato-watermelon gazpacho in the summertime.
Whats your favorite way to make grilled cheese? Tag us @cheesegrotto on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and let us know!
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