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–+ servings
Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.

SLAB GRILLED CHEESE AND HOMEMADE TOMATO SOUP

Patti Diamond
Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
For the sandwich 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Chilies and Soups, Dinner, Holidays and Entertaining, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Two baking sheets, foil and a heavy, oven safe pan

Ingredients
  

THE BIG CHEESE

  • One loaf Italian or French Bread OR a nice big focaccia
  • 16 ounces cheddar cheese sliced
  • butter and/or cooking spray

NOT YOUR MAMA’S TOMATO SOUP

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • One medium sweet onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • One pinch red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 28 ounce cans San Marzano tomatoes
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

FOR THE BIG CHEESE

  • Preheat oven to 350°F degrees. Place baking sheets in the oven to preheat also.
  • Slice cheese.
  • Slice the bread in half, horizontally.
  • Lay out cheese on the bottom slice and cover with the top slice.
    Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.
  • Spread a layer of butter over the entire outside of the sandwich, top and bottom. I used an “everything” loaf so I used cooking spray in place of butter and it worked great. Can you imagine trying to spread butter on top of an everything loaf? Me either.
  • Spray the shiny side of a large piece of aluminum foil with cooking spray. Wrap sandwich tightly, shiny side in. 
  • Place wrapped sandwich on one hot baking sheet and top with the second sheet. Use the heavy pan to weigh it down, like a panini press.  Bake for 15 minutes, let rest for 5 minutes before unwrapping and serving.
    Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.

FOR NOT YOUR MAMA’S TOMATO SOUP

  • In a large sauce pan, on medium low heat, heat the olive oil and butter.
  • Add the onion and sauté the onion until translucent.
    Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.
  • Meanwhile, open the tomatoes and run a kitchen scissor through the tomatoes right in the can to break them up. Alternatively, you can break them up with your hands. Just squeeze them.
    Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.
  • Add the garlic to the onions and stir until fragrant, then add the pepper flakes.
  • Pour the tomatoes into the sauce pan and stir. Raise the heat to medium and bring just to a simmer.
  • Turn heat back to low and simmer for 15 minutes.  (Now is a good time to make the sandwich if you haven't already.) 
  • Remove the soup from the heat and puree to desired consistency. Use an immersion (stick) blender or puree in batches in a blender.
  • Add cream and salt to taste.

To Serve

  • Now, slice that sandwich and dish up the soup.
    Dip, eat, repeat.
    Perfect for fall, this easy recipe feeds a crowd and gives a cozy retro meal a fresh twist. Homemade “Not Your Mama’s Tomato Soup” and a slab of grilled cheese big enough to share.
Keyword Autumn, Breads, Halloween, How To, Sandwiches
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!