The classic tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich combo gets a twist with this citrus-infused fire-roasted tomato orange soup paired with a grilled cheddar cheese sandwich.
fire-roasted tomato orange soup

So, remember when we thought last week was spring?!

That was funny.

Now we’re hearing all sorts of Things That Shall Not Be Named on the news and phrases like “Nor’Easter” are being tossed about like it ain’t no thang.

It is a thang.

A serious, tragic, why is this happening to me kind of thang. Not to be taken lightly.

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I was so struck by this news that I even resorted to pregaming this weekend.

And if you know me at all, you know that is just a mistake.

Because often when I “pre”game, there doesn’t end up being a “during”game or an “after”game. There is just me, sleeping, in a corner.

And that’s generally not fun for anyone.

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But this weekend, for the sake of grilled cheese month, I risked it and whipped up some grilled cheese EIGHT DAYS EARLY. (<–Daring.)

Ohhhhhh you thought I was talking about pregaming alcohol. That’s cute.

No, those days are over for me because of the reasons mentioned above, but the days of grilled cheese consumption are just getting started and they’re getting started HARD.

Not hard as in, “whoa this recipe is a tough cookie”, but hard as in “whoa this recipe will knock your socks off”.

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On the outside, it looks like any other tomato soup + grilled cheese = classic combo.

But on the inside, this tomato soup is filled with smoky fire-roasted tomato flavor and citrus undertones. I like to think these rich flavors make it all the more perfect for some serious grilled cheese dunking action. But you really should get your own pregaming party on and decide for yourself. Get to it!

Fire-Roasted Tomato Orange Soup with Classic Grilled Cheese
 
The classic tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich combo gets a twist with this citrus-infused fire-roasted tomato orange soup paired with a grilled cheddar cheese sandwich.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the soup
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, coarsely chopped
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (I used Cara Cara oranges)
  • 1 tsp sherry vinegar
  • black pepper, to taste
For the grilled cheese
  • 8 slices whole grain bread (I used an organic spelt bread)
  • 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. To make the soup, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add in the red onion and salt, and let cook until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and cinnamon. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Add the tomatoes, water, and orange juice to the pot, scraping the bottom to bring up any bits that might have stuck to the pan. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, allowing to cook for 20-25 minutes.
  3. Turn off the heat and, using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Stir in the sherry vinegar and black pepper, to taste.
  4. Meanwhile, for the grilled cheese, pair the bread slices. Rub butter over the sides of the bread that will be on the outside of the sandwich. Divide grated cheese among the bread pairs.
  5. Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. One at a time, put the sandwiches into the pan and cover, cooking until one side is crispy, and then flipping and cooking until second side is crispy and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
  6. Divide soup among four bowls and serve with the sandwiches!
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ¼ of recipe

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63 Responses to Fire-Roasted Tomato Orange Soup with Classic Grilled Cheese

  1. Perfection! One of the best soups I have ever had was tomato, orange and dill – it’s one of those that can be lovely chilled in summer, or warming and comforting when it gets cold.

  2. I love the Cara Cara orange juice, cinnamon and sherry vinegar in this – so pretty too! I have to check out Aida’s cookbook!

  3. Ooooh, I’ve never made tomato soup with orange juice! What a great idea. I bet these flavors are fantastic! And Nor’Easter, pleeeeease pleeeease go away. 🙂

  4. Good Morning! The storm is definitely coming, and being in NY is no fun at all!
    We agree with Colleen, please send the storm away! Your soup sounds amazing! The combination of flavors are really unique, it has to be good!

  5. The only good thing about all this crazy winter weather? A reason to eat more soup 🙂 This looks yummy!

  6. Simply Life says:

    ugh, I refuse to listen to the weather this week- I just don’t want to think about it!!!

  7. These pictures are so pretty, it makes me want to hop in bed with a grilled cheese and tomato soup!

  8. Loving that tomato orange combo. This soup looks awesome!

  9. I love a traditional tomato soup. But this one has me intrigued. I bet it’s just an explosion of flavors. Sounds outrageously good!

  10. Julia says:

    Pre-gaming is the exact same thing to me as the game (both in alcohol and food)…I just can’t seem to ease into anything. It’s all or nothing, baby! So I’m on board with this delicious fire-roasted ‘mater soup and ooey gooey grilled cheese…I’ll be sleeping beside you in the corner. 😉 Hope you had a great weekend!

  11. It’s been snowing where I am at the past two days! All I’ve been craving is soup and this one has all my favorite flavors! And classic grilled cheese is always the best! 🙂

  12. Deena kakaya says:

    A lady after my own heart, I have a roasted tomato and orange soup on my site too, doesn’t it smell fabulous! X

  13. sallybr says:

    I like to add orange zest to my tomato sauce, not too much, just a touch – so I am sure I would love this soup, and of course, a grilled cheese is the perfect partner!

    (I see tiny snow flakes falling outside. No bueno)

  14. Monica says:

    I love getting a fresh, new idea. Never had tomato soup with an orange twist. I bet it’s wonderful! (Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we barely get any snow tomorrow…just thinking about it makes me need this soup!)

  15. I cannot pin this fast enough (cara cara oj in tomato soup?? yes!) And this may be the only thing that keeps me from crying that it might snow tomorrow.

  16. P says:

    That tomato-orange combo sounds so refreshing! What’s also refreshing is pairing such a soup up with a warm grilled cheese—mmmm!

  17. I’m currently sitting on the couch with a long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and blanket and I’M STILL COLD. This is definitely not okay. And if anyone mentions snow again I may just have to punch them in the face. Or maybe make them soup. That seems more peaceable. LOVE that this has orange juice in it. Such a great twist!

  18. I love that we both channeled soup today! And I am loving your spin on the classic tomato. Pass me a spoon!

  19. cheri says:

    I love the twist on this classic combination. Always a favorite at our house no matter what the weather is like.

  20. What a creative idea! I never thought to add citrus to a tomato soup, but I am thinking it would give it a brighter flavor. With grilled cheese and you transformed this classic!

  21. Josie says:

    I’m totally intrigued by the addition of orange here. It sounds awesome. And I’m totally sticking my head in the proverbial sand when I hear a weather report. Hate hate hate winter!!

  22. Orange juice in tomato soup must lend such a tasty flavor! I want some of these right now!

  23. Even though the spring weather is here in Florida, I would still love a big bowl of this soup! Hope the warmer weather heads your way soon!

  24. Lynn says:

    I wouldn’t have thought of putting orange juice in tomato soup, but I like the thought of it. And I love the thought of a grilled cheese sandwich right now.

  25. Kate says:

    It’s cold here too, this would be perfect for the grey, cloudy, chilly weather we’re having.

  26. I’m so intrigued by the orange juice and cinnamon in the soup! I’ll never turn down a tomato soup, so let me just dive head first in this. Pregaming or not.

  27. It is not soup season here but with that cheerful bowl of soup, I don’t mind having it even in this heat 😀

  28. sandra says:

    I am not sure why but tomato soup has never been a favorite of mine… but once you put orange juice in it it becomes so much more appealing. Gotta try this!

  29. Well, I’m pretty sure that pregaming with grilled cheese is about to become my new favorite activity!

  30. I am starting to believe spring will never come but that’s ok if I have this soup and a grilled cheese!

  31. Spring seems as foreign a concept these days as the Abominable Snowman!

    Totally intrigued by your addition on OJ to tomato soup – WOW – sheer brilliance, Joanne!

  32. This soup looks very delicious Joanne! Love your recipe with orange juice and cinnamon, just perfect for our moodie spring weather 🙂
    J+C

  33. Two of my friends who live in NYC posted about the cold this AM. Not cool! Spring needs to move in for good.

  34. Joyti says:

    Well, I’m having a cheese sandwich for lunch, so guess I’m pregaming too 🙂

    The soup sounds delicious. Interesting too.

  35. Ha! I know whatcha mean, I end up sleeping through the main event if I party beforehand (and by party I mean 2 beers 😉 my fav classic goodness!

  36. This is totally my kinda pre-gaming! Also, when it tomato soup + grilled not a great idea?!

  37. All I saw was fire and cheese and I’m like YES this is my kind of post.

  38. Eileen says:

    This is totally my idea of the perfect comfort food. 🙂 And I love the classic tomato orange soup! There may or may not be a certain Portland deli whose tomato orange soup is justifiably famous. So good!

  39. Hotly Spiced says:

    I do wonder when your weather might turn for you. It’s definitely getting cooler here so it is your turn for some heat. What a great dish. I can see myself in my dressing gown and slippers enjoying this in front of the TV xx

  40. And where I am…it’s 85 degrees. So apparently neither one of us gets a spring! You enjoy your soup and I’ll suck on popsicles, I guess? Waaaaa.

  41. Abby says:

    Tomato soup and grilled cheese is always the answer! I love this. Dying to see what the orange juice tastes like!

  42. mmmmmm…a nap sounds good right now.

    Maybe after a grilled cheese and tomato soup…

  43. mmmm this looks so good! and it was about 20 degrees here this morning. in Tennessee. boo.

  44. The addition of citrus in this tomato soup sounds so good! I can’t wait to try this out!

  45. I say we pregame together…#jussayin’

  46. I like how you noted this doesn’t have an overly CITRUS flavor in our G+ discussion. I really want to play with this recipe. Nice work.

  47. I can’t wait to try this recipe, the citrus really appeals to me, it it so creative 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  48. You definitely have me craving tomato soup today (& grilled cheese of course!) 😉 I love the addition of the orange and the dash of cinnamon. I have a big bowl of cara cara oranges I have been noshing on–they are my absolute favorite.

  49. Tara says:

    One of my favorite comfort foods is tomato basil and grilled cheese! So nice to see this recipe on here. I actually never made a grilled cheese at home, but it is a skill I would like to master. Especially with all those Buzzfeed lists floating around.

    PS: Loving your tablecloth thing for the picture. 🙂

  50. Hahah! I’m down to pre-game with grilled cheese every day of the week. That sounds about 10,000,000 x better than anything involving alcohol actually. Maybe we can come up with a grilled cheese “shots” game? 🙂

  51. I’m intrigued by the orange juice in this soup!

  52. Kelster says:

    You know, I’ve never had a tomato soup.
    Wait…why is everyone staring at me? What did I say?

  53. This soup has me so intrigued! I imagine the flavours would be like a party in your mouth. They also sound very spring like even if your weather isn’t :S

  54. Kinsey says:

    Yum, I love a good grilled cheese on hearty bread! Although I don’t have the excuse of having to make it feel like spring because it’s been 70+ the past few weeks out in CA. Us SF bay area dwellers are incredibly weather-spoiled.

  55. Chris says:

    If it makes you feel better, I am such a homebody that I didn’t even know what “pregaming” was until you mentioned the alcohol later.

    Wow that soup is thick and rustic, perfect for these bitter cold days in SPRING! Did you hear that Mother Nature? IT IS FREAKING SPRING!

  56. Shannon says:

    a grilled cheese is just the comfort I will need tomorrow if we get that white stuff again… 🙁

  57. I am so glad you posted this because I will be needing this when part 3000 of the snowpocalypse arrives tomorrow.

  58. Can it be spring yet?? I’m so tired of this cold weather ahh : (
    This soup looks amazing and you can never go wrong with grilled cheese – I love this!

  59. This is an interesting soup. Sounds so tasty!!

  60. Plain genius!! Reinvent a classic like a pro. Love it!!

  61. tigerfish says:

    Must be robustly flavorful! Yum yum..

  62. […] Fire-Roasted Tomato Orange Soup with Classic Grilled Cheese recipe @ Joanne Eats Well With Others […]

  63. Anita says:

    Hello Joanne!
    I would never have thought of tomatoes, orange and thyme together, but I love all the ingredients and I am sure that they will work well together. I guess a must try!

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