Tomato and Basil Soup
Few dishes are as comforting as tomato soup with grilled cheese. In Canada, this pairing is pure nostalgia — warming bowls of tomato-basil soup served alongside golden, gooey sandwiches made with chedder cheese on white bread were a childhood staple. Simple, nourishing, and endlessly adaptable, tomato soup is as welcome on a snowy afternoon as it is at a summer table made with fresh garden tomatoes.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4–6
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, chopped
2 cans (800 g / 28 oz total) whole tomatoes, with juice (or 1 kg fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
3 cups (750 ml) chicken or vegetable stock
½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn (plus more for garnish)
1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup cream or milk (optional, for creamier soup)
Method
Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrot. Cook until softened, about 6–8 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes (with juice) and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes.
Add basil and sugar (if using). Simmer 5 more minutes.
Blend with an immersion blender (or in batches in a countertop blender) until smooth.
Stir in cream if desired. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil, and pair with grilled cheese on sourdough.
Variations
Classic Creamy – Swirl in heavy cream or coconut milk for a richer finish.
Garden Fresh – Use peak-season tomatoes and add roasted red peppers for extra depth.
Spicy Kick – Stir in chili flakes or smoked paprika for heat and smokiness.
In 1916, Canadian-born James L. Kraft patented processed cheese — an innovation that made cheese affordable, long-lasting, and easy to melt. His company, Kraft Foods, grew from Ontario roots into a global brand, and by the 1950s, Kraft Singles were a fixture in Canadian lunchboxes and kitchens. The classic pairing of tomato soup with grilled cheese owes much of its popularity to these iconic orange slices, which melted perfectly between slices of bread. Even today, whether made with aged cheddar on sourdough or with nostalgic Kraft Singles, grilled cheese with tomato soup remains one of Canada’s most beloved comfort food combinations.