Forget Tomato Soup — Dip Grilled Cheese In This Other Hearty Soup Instead For A New Flavor

Peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, tomatoes and basil — there are some food pairings that are just naturally iconic. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is one of them, but it doesn't mean you can't play with the classics every so often. If you open your mind to it, there's actually another hearty soup that can provide an entirely different flavor profile: French onion.

Cheese and onion are another natural combination, so much so that no French onion soup is complete without a heaping top layer of bubbling gruyere. The nutty flavors lean into each other, and the cheese gives the soup a richer taste and more luxurious mouthfeel. The same concepts apply to grilled cheese and French onion soup. The combo is sweet, savory, and indulgent — and the sandwich's toasted bread plays the same role as the crouton typically placed on top of the soup, which helps avoid any sogginess. It's a win-win.

Since French onion soup is broth-based, it doesn't provide the same creaminess as tomato soup, but the broth can actually seep deeper into the bread, providing more flavor. Onion soup is also richer and less acidic than tomato, creating a totally different experience worth trying.

The best cheese to use to build a sandwich for this is a nutty Alpine cheese like gruyere or Emmental. However, Swiss, aged cheddar, or Fontina are other solid options. Use a hearty bread that will stand up to the soup, like sourdough. If presentation is especially important to you, whole grain bread browns the best.

You could also add some caramelized onions inside the sandwich for even more savory flavor. Another tip for making the ultimate grilled cheese is to spread a little mayo on the outside of the bread before you cook your sandwich, and make sure to use the best pan temperature for a deep-golden color.

As for making the best French onion soup, yellow is the preferred onion variety of many cooks. However, for a more complex flavor, you can try a blend of different varieties, including sweet Vidalias, another popular option. Just make sure you let the onions brown for long enough and use a high-quality stock. Because you'll be dipping the grilled cheese into the soup, there's no need to top it with the cheese or crouton. Not only would that be overkill, but it could also cause an obstruction. And once you taste this combo, you won't want anything in the way.