How To Make Cheesy Homemade Croutons

Have you ever wondered how to make cheesy homemade croutons yourself? Here is my easy recipe that will work well with salad, soup, chili and stew! Today I made 3 varieties of cheesy homemade croutons to pair with two different types of the new Good Natured Soups by Progresso™, Hearty Tomato with Spinach & Roasted Garlic and Hearty Corn and Chipotle Chowder. A perfect lunch for a Meatless Monday! 

I found those two varieties, along with Hearty Lentil with Garden Vegetables at Vons last week. Even better was this $1 off COUPON being offered! Good Nature Soups are vegan, but you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy these thick and hearty soups! They offer 3/4 cup of veggies per serving, have no preservative, genetically modified ingredients or artificial colors. Though my family likes vegetables, I find that they are more likely to eat them when I serve them. They are not as likely to seek them out on their own. Together, we decided to have at least one meatless day per week to get more vegetables in our diet. Good Natured Soup is a great and easy option for my kids to prepare a quick meal on their own, loaded with veggies!

On meatless days, we often like to include a starch with our vegetarian meal. It may be rice, pasta or bread. Though we like bread with our soup, crunchy homemade croutons are a great alternative. They are very easy to make and you can whip them up in under 15 minutes!

Cheesy Homemade Croutons

• 1 French Baguette, sliced
• Garlic
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper
• Cheese
• Fresh Herbs, finely minced
• Green Onion, finely chopped

I buy a fresh baguette and ask the bakery department to slice it for me. This way all the slices are an even thickness. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil with desired amount fresh chopped garlic, salt and pepper. Bake for about 4-5 minutes, flip, then bake another 4-5 minutes so both side get crisp.

In the mean time, prepare your cheesy toppings. I made 3 different kinds: Brie with Honey, Goat Cheese with Minced Parsley and Green Onion, and Blue Cheese with Green Onion & Fresh Cracked Pepper.

Mash the cheese mixtures to create a spread. Brush a very thin coating on each crouton. The second row below is my Brie and Honey spread. I topped them with Fresh Pepper and Rosemary. Such a tasty combo!

Place pan of cheese coated croutons under a low broiler setting for 3-4 minutes, until golden and cheese is bubbly.

Serve your Good Natured Soup with 1 or 2 homemade croutons of choice. This recipe is so versatile, that you can really use any cheese and herb combo you like. Next time I will make a smoked gouda crouton. I can’t wait!

How would you like to win a $25 Good Natured Soup Gift Basket, so you can try all 3 fabulous varieties?! Enter below and don’t forget to check out the Good Natured Soup website for info about these new vegetarian soups and get your $1 off coupon HERE !

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