Yield: 6 servings   Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Tomato Soup:

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 4 qts. cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 small white onion, sliced
• 1 cup milk (whole milk for a creamier base)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. fresh basil, roughly chopped

Grilled Cheese:

• 12 slices whole grain bread
• 12 slices gouda cheese
• 12 slices cheddar cheese
• 3 Tbsp. butter (as needed)

Directions

1.        Preheat the oven to 425 °F.

2.        On two sheet pans, evenly place cherry tomatoes, garlic, and onion. Mix in tomato paste. Drizzle with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3.        Place in oven and roast for 20 - 25 minutes or until tomatoes are bursting and onions are beginning to brown and soften. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

4.        While tomatoes are roasting, lay out 12 slices of bread. Spread butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Save for step 7.

5.        Once tomatoes are slightly cooled, blend tomato mixture in a blender until smooth (or desired texture). Pour blended tomatoes into a large stock pot. Repeat until all tomatoes are blended.

6.        Add milk, heavy cream, and broth and stir. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 – 15 minutes.

7.        While soup is simmering, heat a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Place the buttered side of a slice of bread into the skillet and layer with two slices of gouda cheese and two slices of cheddar cheese. Top with a second slice of bread (with butter side on top). Cook until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown, then flip the grilled cheese over to cook the top slice of bread. Remove from the skillet once both slices of bread on the grilled cheese are golden brown and the cheese is melted. Set on a plate for serving. Repeat step until all sandwiches are cooked.

8.        Remove the soup from heat. Ladle into bowls for serving. Top with a sprinkle of fresh basil and serve with a grilled cheese sandwich.