Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese with Bacon

There is nothing more comforting or classic about a grilled cheese sandwich. Adding a few extra flavorful ingredients between the bread slices, can only make this sandwich spectacular. This Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese with Bacon is pretty much a melted bomb of yum in your mouth.

When I was developing this recipe I consulted the expert sandwich eater, my daughter Eva.  She suggested somehow turning the timeless combination of creamy tomato soup with grilled cheese into it’s own unique creation.  Add some basil and bacon and oh yeah!  This sandwich is not only lunch, but dinner worthy. The hearty flavors make a wonderful and filling meal that will definitely be kid and adult friendly.

Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese with Bacon

Recipe by Liz Hughes - Virtually Homemade

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Ingredients

• 10 ounces cherry tomatoes (about 16)
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• 8 slices french bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 6 slices colby-jack cheese (Sargento)
• Cream cheese
• 8 slices cooked bacon
• 8 large basil leaves

Cooking Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. On a medium sheet pan toss tomatoes with olive oil and salt to taste. Roast for 10 minutes or until tomatoes have collapsed. Set aside.
3. Lay out 8 pieces of bread on a counter. Lightly spread cream cheese on each piece of bread. Place 1 and 1/2 pieces of cheese on one side of the bread. Top cheese with bacon, approximately 4 tomatoes and 2 basil leaves (if there are residual tomato juices from the sheet pan you can drizzle over sandwiches). Top the stacked cheese side with the bread that just has cream cheese on it.
4. Heat panini maker to medium high. Press sandwiches until golden brown and cheese has melted, 4 to 5 minutes (a non stick skillet can be used as well-just spray lightly with cooking spray and cook flipping half way through).
5. Cut in half and serve warm.

Enjoy some more grilled cheese recipes from some of my favorite food bloggers and Food Network:

Jeanette's Healthy Living: Lighted Up Croque Monsieur Grilled Cheese
Blue Apron Blog: The Tastiest Grilled Cheese Fillings
Weelicious: Grilled Cheese and Pickle Panini
Devour: Kelsey's Decadent Grilled Cheese
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Inside Out Grilled Strawberry and Cheese Sandwiches
Daily*Dishin: Grilled Pimento Cheese with Instant Pickles
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Pork Stew in Port Wine Sauce with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Red or Green: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Three Pepper Cheese, Grilled Onions and Pickled Jalapenos
Dishing With Divya: Egg and Mushroom Cheese Sandwich
Domesticate Me: Barbecue Chicken Grilled Cheese
Taste With The Eyes: Bulgogi Panino with Kimchi, Cheddar and Ssamjang Mayo
Virtually Homemade: Creamy Roasted Tomato and Basil Grilled Cheese with Bacon
The Sensitive Epicure: Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwich with Apple, Walnuts and Thyme (Gluten-Free)
FN Dish: 10 Grown-Up Grilled Cheeses