Pin Creamy tomato soup shooters with bite-sized grilled cheese are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer for everything from cozy game nights to festive gatherings. This playful combo delivers comfort in a bold new way, perfect for dipping and sharing.
You will find these littleShooters always disappear fastest whenever I bring them to a potluck or serve them as a fun starter while hosting friends. My nostalgic love for grilled cheese and tomato soup inspired me to make them into an appetizer everyone can eat with one hand.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: For rich flavor Try to use high-quality European-style butter if you have it
- Olive oil: Adds depth and keeps the onion from burning Choose extra-virgin for better flavor
- Yellow onion: Sets a sweet flavor base Pick a firm onion with tight skin and no soft spots
- Garlic: Brings savory warmth Fresh cloves are best for bright aroma
- Crushed tomatoes: The soup’s main body Look for a good brand with no additives
- Vegetable broth: Helps thin the soup and boosts overall flavor If homemade even better
- Sugar: Balances acidity from tomatoes Just a pinch makes a difference
- Dried basil: Classic tomato soup taste Choose a fresher-smelling bottle for best results
- Salt and black pepper: Essential to round out the flavors Use kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper if possible
- Heavy cream: Makes it luxuriously silky Use real heavy cream for the richest result
- Sandwich bread: The grilled cheese base Choose soft bread that will brown up nice and crisp
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly and gives bolder flavor Go for sharp or extra-sharp for tang
- Butter for sandwiches: Needed to achieve golden crisp edges Let it come to room temperature for easy spreading
Instructions
- Make the Soup:
- Warm the Butter and Oil: Combine butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the butter is just melted but not browned Stir gently
- Cook the Onion: Add finely chopped onion Cook gently over medium-low heat for about five minutes Stir often The onion should turn soft and translucent but not brown This process makes the soup sweet instead of sharp
- Add Garlic: Toss in the minced garlic and stir for about one minute until fragrant Be careful not to let the garlic darken
- Simmer and Season: Add the crushed tomatoes vegetable broth sugar dried basil salt and pepper Stir everything together well Turn the heat to a gentle simmer and let cook about fifteen minutes Stir occasionally to keep the bottom from sticking
- Finish with Cream: Remove the pot from heat Pour in the heavy cream Use an immersion blender right in the pot or carefully transfer soup in batches to a blender Blend until totally smooth Return soup to pot and keep warm over very low heat
- Prepare the Grilled Cheese:
- Butter and Build: Lay out all your bread slices Spread one side of each with softened butter Place four slices butter-side down on your board Top with two slices of sharp cheddar for each sandwich Cover with another slice of bread buttered side up
- Grill to Golden Perfection: Set a nonstick skillet over medium heat When hot add the sandwiches Cook for two to three minutes per side pressing gently with a spatula until the bread goes golden brown and cheese is gooey inside Adjust the heat if the bread browns too quickly
- Slice Into Bites: Cool slightly on a cutting board This keeps the cheese from running out Slice each sandwich into four neat little squares perfect for skewering or perching on top of shooters
- Serve:
- Pour and Pair: Ladle the hot soup into shooter glasses or tiny cups Top each one with a mini grilled cheese square Skewer if you like or rest the sandwich right on top Serve hot so every bite is melty and comforting
Pin My favorite part is always the first dip the buttery grilled cheese soaks up the warm rich soup like a sponge and takes me right back to my childhood. Making these at family gatherings once brought my grandmother to tears when she tasted the soup just like hers.
Storage Tips
Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days Reheat gently over low heat so the cream does not separate For longer storage freeze the soup without the cream then stir in cream while reheating Grilled cheese bites are best made fresh but you can assemble sandwiches ahead then toast just before serving They are also surprisingly good reheated in a toaster oven if you need to prep ahead
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap out cheddar for Gruyere mozzarella or even pepper jack for a new flavor twist If you are dairy-free use olive oil in the soup and a plant-based heavy cream substitute Pick your favorite vegan cheese for the sandwiches just make sure it melts well To make it gluten-free use a hearty gluten-free sandwich bread and check your broth labels
Serving Suggestions
These shooters are ideal as an appetizer for parties or showers Arrange them on a tray with a variety of mini sandwiches or serve alongside a crisp salad for a playful lunch Use themed picks to skewer the sandwiches for a festive touch
Cultural Context
Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic comfort pairing in American cuisine Families have enjoyed it for generations often as a go-to meal on cold days or when comfort is most needed Transforming them into dainty party appetizers puts a new twist on a deeply nostalgic dish
Seasonal Adaptations
In summer try using fresh ripe tomatoes and a few basil leaves for a brighter soup For autumn add roasted red peppers or a dash of smoked paprika for deeper flavor Serve in insulated mini mugs for winter gatherings to keep soup piping hot
Success Stories
Friends have raved about these shooters at both tailgate parties and baby showers and they routinely get recipe requests Kids love dunking the sandwiches and grown-ups appreciate their nostalgic appeal You might discover you need to double the batch
Freezer Meal Conversion
To freeze the soup leave out the cream and freeze in sealed containers for up to three months Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat gently and stir in cream For grilled cheese sandwiches assemble and freeze the ungrilled sandwiches then toast straight from the freezer no need to thaw
Pin These little shooters are a delightful twist on a classic comfort food, perfect for any occasion.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use a different cheese for the sandwiches?
Absolutely! Gruyère or mozzarella can replace cheddar for a different flavor profile.
- → How can I make this appetizer gluten-free?
Simply use gluten-free bread for the sandwiches to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- → What's the best way to blend the soup safely?
An immersion blender works well directly in the pot, or use a standard blender in batches, blending carefully.
- → Can the soup be made ahead?
Yes, prepare soup in advance and reheat gently before serving. Assemble sandwiches fresh for best texture.
- → Should I serve these hot or at room temperature?
For the best experience, serve the soup and grilled cheese squares hot and fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
- → What beverage pairs well with this appetizer?
Crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer complements the creamy, savory flavors beautifully.