The Best Rustic Tomato Soup with Crispy Gruyère Toasts Recipe

Bubbling with rich, hearty flavors, this rustic tomato soup captures the essence of comfort in every spoonful.

Slow-simmered garden tomatoes dance with aromatic herbs, creating a rustic tomato soup that warms the soul on chilly evenings.

The velvety base whispers stories of traditional kitchens and time-honored recipes.

Crispy gruyere toasts add a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the smooth soup texture.

Layers of depth emerge from carefully selected ingredients, transforming a simple dish into a memorable meal.

Each bite promises a delicious journey through robust, sun-ripened tomato notes.

Prepare to savor a bowl that celebrates the pure, unapologetic pleasure of homemade comfort food.

Tools That Make This a Comfort Classic

• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting tomatoes, onions, and garlic evenly.
• Blender: Crucial for creating a smooth, creamy soup texture.
• Large Pot: Perfect for simmering and warming the soup.
• Broiler-Safe Baking Sheet: Needed for toasting the Gruyere bread slices.
• Chef's Knife: Required for cutting tomatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Helps shred the Gruyere cheese for topping.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into bowls.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for precise seasoning.

Instructions for, Rich Tomato Soup

• Prep Roasting Ingredients

Spread tomatoes, onion, and garlic onto a baking sheet, positioning them comfortably for even roasting.

• Season and Drizzle

Splash olive oil generously over vegetables, then dust with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme for a flavor explosion.

• Roast to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into a 400F oven and let vegetables transform for 35-40 minutes until they caramelize and soften beautifully.

• Blend Into Silky Soup

Transfer roasted vegetables to a blender, adding vegetable broth, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until completely smooth and creamy.

• Simmer and Enrich

Pour blended mixture into a pot, warming gently over medium heat. Stir in heavy cream to create a luxurious texture and round out flavors.

• Craft Cheesy Toasts

Brush baguette slices with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper. Crown each slice with shredded Gruyere cheese.

• Broil Until Golden

Place cheese-topped bread under broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until toasts become bubbly and bronzed.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh basil. Arrange crispy Gruyere toasts alongside for dipping and dunking.

Add-Ins Like Cream, Basil, or Spice

• Perfect Roasting Technique: Always arrange tomatoes cut-side up to maximize caramelization and concentrate their natural sweetness during roasting.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare roasted tomato soup base up to three days in advance and reheat gently before serving for deeper flavor development.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a vegan-friendly version without compromising rich, creamy texture.
• Cheese Alternatives: Swap Gruyere with other melting cheeses like sharp cheddar, fontina, or gouda for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to create mild or spicy versions – start with a pinch and increase gradually to suit individual heat tolerance.

Serving with Crispy Gruyere Toasts or Crackers

• Soup-and-Sandwich Companion: Create a delightful lunch experience by serving this soup alongside a classic grilled cheese or turkey sandwich for extra heartiness.
• Rustic Dinner Party Starter: Impress guests by presenting the soup in small espresso cups as an elegant appetizer, accompanied by the crispy Gruyere toasts for a sophisticated touch.
• Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Pair the roasted tomato soup with olives, marinated feta, and a light cucumber salad to create a Mediterranean-inspired meal that celebrates fresh, vibrant flavors.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, smoky soup with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay to balance the robust tomato and creamy undertones.

How to Store and Reheat for Next-Day Comfort

• Smart Storing Strategies: Transfer cooled soup to airtight containers, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Glass containers work best to maintain flavor integrity.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Freeze soup without cream for up to 2 months. Add fresh cream when reheating to prevent separation and maintain smooth texture.
• Reheating Magic: Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling to preserve rich roasted vegetable flavors and prevent cream from breaking.
• Toast Timing Trick: Store Gruyere toasts separately at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Reheat quickly under broiler for 1-2 minutes to restore crispiness before serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Roasted Tomato Soup

• Tomatoes: Bring rich, sweet depth to the soup, choose ripe, deep red ones with firm texture.
• Onion: Provides sweet, mellow foundation, select firm white or yellow varieties.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor, look for smooth, unblemished bulbs.
• Olive Oil: Helps vegetables caramelize and enhances roasting process.
• Salt: Enhances natural vegetable flavors, use kosher or sea salt.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces smoky, warming undertone.
• Thyme: Contributes earthy, herbal notes.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates smooth, liquid base with gentle vegetable essence.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tangy depth and brightness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle, warming heat.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture.

• Baguette: Provides crisp, crunchy base for melted cheese.
• Butter: Ensures golden, rich toast surface.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle savory punch.
• Gruyere Cheese: Delivers nutty, rich melting quality.
• Fresh Basil: Offers fresh, aromatic garnish.

Rustic Tomato Soup With Crispy Gruyere Toasts

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Roasted tomato soup with crispy gruyere toasts celebrates summer’s peak harvest with rich, concentrated flavors. Silky smooth texture and golden crunchy toasts create a classic comfort meal that comforts souls and satisfies hunger.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes (Roma or vine-ripened work best)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for extra richness)
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 baguette, sliced
• 0.5 cups heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free version)
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Fresh basil (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 400F (200C), preparing a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Vegetable Roasting: Spread tomatoes, onion, and garlic on the baking sheet, generously drizzling with olive oil and seasoning with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme for deep flavor development.
3. Caramelization: Roast vegetables for 35-40 minutes until softened with rich, caramelized edges, concentrating their natural sweetness.
4. Blending: Transfer roasted vegetables and pan drippings to a high-powered blender, adding vegetable broth, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes, then puree until completely smooth and velvety.
5. Soup Finishing: Pour blended mixture into a saucepan, gently warming over medium heat and stirring occasionally, then incorporate heavy cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Gruyere Toast Preparation: Switch oven to broil, slice baguette diagonally, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder and cracked black pepper, then top generously with shredded Gruyere cheese.
7. Toasting: Broil bread slices for 2-3 minutes, carefully monitoring until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
8. Serving: Ladle hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh torn basil leaves, and serve crispy Gruyere toasts alongside or directly on top of the soup.

Notes

• Roast Vegetables Strategically: Position tomatoes cut-side up to maximize caramelization and concentrate flavors during roasting.
• Control Blending Texture: Blend soup until completely smooth for a velvety consistency, scraping all pan drippings to capture maximum flavor depth.
• Monitor Broiling Carefully: Watch Gruyere toasts closely during broiling to prevent burning, aiming for golden brown cheese with crispy edges.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to personalize heat and smokiness according to individual taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg