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Melissa Burnell
Some meals don’t need fancy ingredients to become family favorites. Tomato soup and grilled cheese is one of those timeless comfort food combinations that delivers big flavor with simple pantry staples. This version skips the expensive canned soup and instead transforms canned tomatoes, broth, onions, and a homemade seasoning blend into a rich, satisfying soup that’s paired with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches made from day-old bread and shredded cheddar.
At just $1.92 per serving, this meal proves that eating well doesn’t require spending a fortune.
Soup so good, you’ll forget it was cheap.Jump to:
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Tips for Success
- Variations
- Storage & Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Budget101® Price Breakdown
- Printable Recipe Card
🛒 Ingredients
For the Tomato Soup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half (optional for creamier soup)
For the Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices day-old sandwich bread
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1
Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 2
Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.Step 3
Stir in diced tomatoes, broth, basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper.
Step 4
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Step 5
Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender in batches) until smooth. Stir in milk if desired and heat through.Step 6
Butter one side of each bread slice. Place four slices butter-side down in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 7
Top each slice generously with shredded cheddar and finish with remaining bread, butter-side up.
Step 8
Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.Step 9
Slice sandwiches diagonally and serve alongside steaming bowls of tomato soup.
💡 Tips for Success
- Caramelize the onions slightly for deeper flavor.
- Blend thoroughly for restaurant-quality smoothness.
- Use freshly shredded cheese—it melts far better than pre-shredded.
- Cook grilled cheese over medium-low heat so the bread browns before the cheese overcooks.
- A pinch of baking soda (1/8 teaspoon) can mellow acidic tomatoes if needed.
🔄 Variations
Roasted Tomato Version
Roast canned tomatoes at 425°F for 20 minutes before adding to the soup for a richer flavor.
Creamy Tomato Basil
Add 1/4 cup heavy cream and fresh basil just before serving.Spicy Tomato Soup
Add crushed red pepper flakes or chipotle powder.
Italian Style
Finish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days.Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally.
Grilled cheese is best made fresh but can be reheated in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use crushed tomatoes?
Absolutely. They’ll create an even smoother soup.
Can I freeze tomato soup?
Yes. Freeze before adding dairy for the best texture.
Can I use vegetable broth?
Yes. This makes the soup vegetarian.Why use day-old bread?
It crisps beautifully and helps reduce food waste while stretching your grocery budget.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
Ingredient Package Price* Amount Used Cost Used Canned Tomatoes $1.28 × 2 2 cans $2.56 Chicken Broth $1.48 2 cups $0.74 Onion $0.89/lb 1 medium $0.45 Butter $4.98/lb 6 Tbsp $0.94 Cheddar Cheese $2.48/8 oz 8 oz $2.48 Bread $2.00 loaf 8 slices $0.51 Seasonings Pantry Various $0.12 Total Recipe Cost: $7.68
Servings: 4Cost Per Serving: $1.92
*Prices are estimates and will vary by region.
📋 Printable Recipe Card
Budget Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Soup- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 2 cups broth
- basil
- oregano
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- sugar
- salt
- pepper
- ½ cup milk (optional)
Grilled Cheese- 8 slices bread
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 4 Tbsp butter
Equipment
Instructions
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Sauté onion in butter.
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Add garlic.
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Stir in tomatoes, broth and seasonings.
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Simmer 20 minutes.
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Blend until smooth.
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Stir in milk if desired.
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Assemble grilled cheese.
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Cook until golden and cheese melts.
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Serve immediately.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Budget Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
Rich homemade tomato soup made from pantry staples paired with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches for an affordable comfort-food dinner.
- Dutch oven
- Immersion blender
- skillet
Soup
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 2 cups broth
- basil
- oregano
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- sugar
- salt
- pepper
- 1/2 cup milk ((optional))
Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices bread
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 4 Tbsp butter
- Sauté onion in butter.
- Add garlic.
- Stir in tomatoes, broth and seasonings.
- Simmer 20 minutes.
- Blend until smooth.
- Stir in milk if desired.
- Assemble grilled cheese.
- Cook until golden and cheese melts.
- Serve immediately.
❤️ Final Thoughts
When grocery prices keep climbing, meals like this remind us why simple recipes have stood the test of time. Pantry staples become something warm, comforting, and satisfying—and nobody at the table will believe dinner cost less than two dollars a serving. Pair it with a pickle spear or a handful of crackers, and you’ve got a meal that’s just as welcome on a busy weeknight as it is on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
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