Soup and sandwiches: the comfort food duo that never disappoints, but it doesn’t have to be basic. Forget the boring combos and step it up with pairings that actually make you excited to eat. Grilled cheese and tomato soup? Sure, but we’ve got better ideas that put that classic to shame.
Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
This carrot fennel soup is light yet hearty, made even better with cannellini beans. Pair it up with your favorite sandwich, and it’s a meal that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Carrot Fennel Soup
Creamy Broccoli Soup
Creamy broccoli soup, topped with crispy shallots, is a cozy choice, whether you’re a fan of grilled cheese or something lighter on the side.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Soup
Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
A chicken salad sandwich made with garlic yogurt and topped with sun-dried tomatoes on ciabatta bread. Throw it alongside a bowl of soup for a perfect combo of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Yogurt Chicken Salad Sandwich
Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup
Sweet potato and black beans come together in this soup that’s sweet, spicy, and packed with flavor. Add a sandwich on the side, and you’ve got a no-fail comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup
Creamy Pesto Tortellini Soup
Pesto tortellini soup gets its extra punch of flavor from coconut milk and plenty of pesto. It’s perfect alongside a light sandwich, giving you a great balance of comfort and freshness.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Tortellini Soup
Chicken Lime Soup
This chicken lime soup brings a kick with its spicy broth and citrusy notes. It’s the perfect match for a sandwich to warm you up, especially when you need something with a little more flavor punch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup
Creamy Clam Chowder
This creamy dairy-free clam chowder is ready in just 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. Pair it with your favorite sandwich for a quick and comforting meal that feels just right for cozying up.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Clam Chowder
Southwest Ranch Chicken Salad Sandwich
This ranch chicken salad melt is loaded with southwestern flavors and cheddar. When paired with a simple soup, this sandwich is a solid lunch option you won’t forget.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Ranch Chicken Salad Sandwich
Creamy Curried Carrot Ginger Soup
Carrot ginger soup with a curry kick brings just the right balance of sweet and spicy. Serve it with a sandwich, and you’ve got a simple but bold meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Curried Carrot Ginger Soup
Easy Hamburger Soup
Packed with lean ground beef and fresh veggies, this easy hamburger soup is perfect for pairing with a sandwich for a cozy, simple dinner on a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Easy Hamburger Soup
Easy Creamy Potato Leek Soup
This potato leek soup is a creamy, comforting option that’s easy to whip up with just a few ingredients. Pair it with your favorite sandwich for a no-fuss meal that’s sure to hit the spot.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Potato Leek Soup
Shortcut Brunswick Stew
This Brunswick stew is packed with veggies, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken. It’s quick, hearty, and pairs perfectly with a sandwich for a satisfying dinner that comes together fast.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Brunswick Stew
Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup
A homemade version of Panera’s creamy tomato soup, loaded with roasted garlic and basil. Add a classic grilled cheese for a pairing that’ll remind you of your childhood favorites with an upgrade.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panera Creamy Tomato Soup
Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
Root vegetables and winter herbs come together for a hearty soup that’s great for any cold day. Throw a sandwich on the side, and you’ve got the perfect meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
Buttercup Squash Soup
This buttercup squash soup gets a kick from coconut and lime, making it a flavorful option to serve up with your favorite sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Buttercup Squash Soup
Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil
Green (or black) olive soup loaded with flavor that’s perfect when you want something different. Paired with a sandwich, this makes for a comfort food combination you’ll keep coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil
Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup
This Brussels sprout soup has all the garlic flavor you’d expect, and with the simplicity of making it in the blender, you’ll be ready to dunk your sandwich in no time.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Brussels Sprouts Soup
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This lightened-up broccoli cheddar soup is made in the Instant Pot, making it quick and easy for busy nights. Pair it with a sandwich, and you’ve got a great combo to warm up with.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Mung Bean Soup
Hearty mung bean soup with lemony vegetables makes an easy weeknight meal, and when paired with a sandwich, you’ve got a great combo that’s as filling as it is simple.
Get the Recipe: Mung Bean Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana, packed with Tuscan spices and veggies, is great paired with rustic bread or a sandwich, making it the perfect comfort combo when you’re in the mood for something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana
Pumpkin Potato Soup
Blend together pumpkin and potato for a creamy, no-fuss soup that’s perfect for pairing with just about any sandwich on your mind.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Potato Soup
Pear Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese
Pear, bacon, and brie team up in this grilled cheese that’s a sweet, salty, and cheesy winner. Throw it together with your favorite soup for a combo that feels like a next-level lunch.
Get the Recipe: Pear Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese
Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
Leek and apple come together with cheddar for a soup that’s both sweet and savory. It pairs perfectly with a crunchy sandwich for an easy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup
One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
This vegan minestrone combines veggies, plant-based proteins, and whole grains for a satisfying soup. Pair it with a sandwich to keep things simple but hearty.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Inspired by Newk’s, this loaded baked potato soup is packed with everything from crispy bacon to sour cream. Pair it with a sandwich, and you’ve got comfort food that’s easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Roast Beef Gouda Grilled Cheese
This grilled cheese loads up on roast beef and gouda, making it a bold, cheesy choice. It’s even better when served with tomato soup, the ultimate classic pairing you can’t go wrong with.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef Gouda Grilled Cheese
Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Tomato soup and grilled cheese: the ultimate comfort combo. This extra-cheesy grilled cheese served with roasted tomato soup is great for when you need a quick meal that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
Chickpea Pesto Sandwich
This chickpea pesto sandwich brings smashed chickpeas together with a non-traditional pesto for a solid vegetarian option. It’s quick, easy, and pairs great with a soup for a light but satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Pesto Sandwich
Broccoli and Cheese Soup
This ultra-creamy broccoli and cheese soup is perfect for an appetizer or a main dish. Throw in a sandwich, and it’s a solid comfort food duo.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Chicken Minestrone Soup
This chicken minestrone adds tender chicken to the classic Italian soup. Paired with a sandwich, this one-pot meal is the perfect weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Minestrone Soup
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
