Ingredients
Grilled Cheese Sandwich:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, plus 4 tablespoons
- 8 slices Shephard's bread
- 8 ounces white Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 heirloom tomato, sliced into 3 (1/8-inch) slices
- 8 strips thick sliced apple wood smoked bacon, fried
Tomato Soup:
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin basil olive oil
- 3 tablespoons finely diced shallots
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped basil leaves
- 3 strips thick sliced apple wood smoked bacon, fried and diced
- 3 ounce tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt
- Sugar, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chiffonnade basil, for garnish
Directions
To make the grilled cheese sandwich: In a small mixing bowl, combine butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Spread a liberal amount of butter mixture on 2 slices of bread. Flip over slices and spread some Dijon mustard on other sides. Place Cheddar cheese on the Dijon side of both slices. Place bacon on top of cheese on 1 slice and sliced tomatoes on top of cheese on other slice. Combine both sides together and place in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook until golden brown and crusty. Flip sandwich and place a weighted cast iron pan on top. Cook until golden brown and cheese has melted. Remove from skillet and serve immediately with tomato soup.
To make the soup: Puree the crushed tomatoes and set aside. In a heavy stainless steel pot, heat basil olive oil. Add shallots and cook until soft. Add garlic, thyme, chopped basil, bacon, and tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add tomato puree, cream, chicken broth, and salt and sugar, to taste. Bring to a simmer. Pour soup into bowls and garnish with chiffonnade basil. Serve immediately with grilled cheese sandwich.
A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.



















Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 16 reviews
By ericarealtor
on December 01, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This soup was delicious!!! I added 1/4 tsp crushed red chili flakes to give it a little kick and it was perfect. I made the soup day ahead to make it easy for my family to enjoy a hot meal quickly the night before Thanksgiving...everyone wants the recipe! The only way this could have been better is if you take the time to roast the tomatoes yourself.
By tschimings_4758822
Rochester Hills, MI
on March 27, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
We watched this on the Foodnetwork last night and it looked delicious. We got the recipe and made it the next day for supper and it was an absolute hit. The soup is very thick and flavorful. The recommended cheese is perfect. By themselves, the soup and the grilled cheese are very good. Dip the sandwich in the soup and it goes to the next level.
We will definitely make this again, next time for company. Get more of Rick Massa's recipe's on here!
By heatherblythejo...
Seattle, WA
on April 04, 2009
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I made this a week ago and am already planning on making the soup again tonight. For me, the soup was so amazing, and very very easy to prepare. I'll never eat canned tomato soup again! The sandwiches I thought were good, but next time I won't go to the trouble to make the parmesan/mustard/butter for the outside. It didn't seem to do much for me, but I do like the combo of mustard/bacon/cheese on the inside! I used turkey bacon for both, and it was all delish! Thanks for this outstanding recipe!
Read all 16 reviews