Description

This comforting Braised Beef Soup with Cheese Bread is a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for chilly days. Tender chunks of beef chuck are seared and slowly simmered with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and rich beef broth to create a deeply satisfying soup. Paired with slices of crusty bread topped with melted Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese, it offers a delightfully warming combination of savory soup and gooey cheesy bread.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup

2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 large carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups beef broth
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Bread

6 slices crusty bread
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella)

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Instructions

Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef chunks generously with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot oil until they are browned on all sides. This helps develop rich flavor. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion, chopped carrots, and sliced celery. Cook them over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
Simmer the Soup: Return the seared beef chunks to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, then add the bay leaves and fresh thyme sprigs. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours, allowing the beef to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Finish the Soup: Once cooked, skim off any excess fat from the surface if necessary. Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving to avoid any tough or bitter bites.
Prepare the Cheese Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly toast the slices of crusty bread to give them a bit of firmness. Then, top each slice with a generous amount of shredded cheese. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven until the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly and golden, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Serve: Ladle the hot braised beef soup into bowls and serve immediately with the warm cheesy bread on the side or resting atop the bowl for dipping. Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!

Notes

For extra richness, use a blend of Gruyère and cheddar cheese on the bread.
You can prepare the soup a day ahead; the flavors will deepen with time.
If you prefer, substitute beef broth with homemade bone broth for added nutrition.
To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten-free bread for the cheese toast.
Skimming the fat after cooking is optional but recommended for a lighter soup.