We Can’t Stop Thinking About Stanley Tucci’s Weird Grilled Cheese Pairing

I’ve read Stanley Tucci’s books and I’ve seen every episode of his CNN series “Searching for Italy,” and it’s clear that the man knows food. He knows it so well that every time I hear him describe a dish, whether it’s on his Instagram account or an interview, I’m always left feeling hungry, even if I’m not. 

But his recent confession that he loves pairing grilled cheese with pea soup had me thinking. My go-to has always been tomato soup, but was I somehow wrong? Did Tucci know something I didn’t?  As they say, “in Tucci we trust,” and here’s why I think he’s on to something.  

The OG Grilled Cheese Pairing

Grilled cheese and tomato soup are an ideal pairing for a reason. The acidity of the tomatoes in the soup do a brilliant job of cutting through the creamy interior and crispy exterior of the grilled cheese. It’s simple and brilliant. If that’s the case, why pair a grilled cheese with anything else?

Grilled Cheese and…Pea Soup?

While I love dipping my grilled cheese in a bowl of hot tomato soup, I’m open to exploring other options. That’s why I said, “huh?” immediately followed by, “I’d give that a try” when I heard that Tucci prefers pea soup with his grilled cheese. Enamored by the simplicity of both dishes, I found myself agreeing that this could be a combination that works.

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Why It Works (Maybe)

I haven’t put the grilled cheese-pea soup theory to the test yet, but I do think it’s worth a shot. Mostly because Tucci’s pea soup sounds simple, made by combining vegetable broth with ham, onions, garlic, and peas. The “basic-ness” is what works in its favor. Yes, you won’t get the same acidity as you would from the tomato soup, but you’ll get something satisfying and salty, that might be a better pairing for grilled cheese on days when you’ve worked hard shoveling snow or played in a serious snowball fight. 

Try This When You Make Your Pea Soup

If you’re up for trying Tucci’s pea soup and grilled cheese combo, I have a recommendation: First, make it from scratch. As he mentions in his interview, it’s not a complicated dish. Making it from scratch allows you to adjust the seasonings and ingredients, which means you can customize it. For example, I love a smooth, creamy pea soup, so I like to use a ham hock, but then remove it and puree the soup before serving.

You can also play with herbs, like thyme and rosemary. I also love adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for a delicious finishing touch. Remember to keep things simple. It’s what Tucci would want for you!