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Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake

28 reviews
Contest Ribbon Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + standing

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Jan. 09, 2024

This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil, divided
  • 12 slices Italian, sourdough or rye bread (1/2 inch thick)
  • 6 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-3/4 cups 2% milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend or part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and 1 teaspoon basil until blended; spread onto 6 bread slices. Top with the mozzarella cheese and remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter. Arrange in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine tomato paste, garlic, salt, pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon basil; cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs; gradually whisk in a third of the milk mixture. Stir in the remaining milk mixture; pour over the sandwiches. Sprinkle with the Italian cheese blend.
  4. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and cheese is melted, 25-30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Test Kitchen Tip
  • When this casserole comes out of the oven it's best to let it sit for the full 10 minutes if not a little longer. You'll end up with a rich, creamy texture very similar to a breakfast strata or a savory bread pudding.

    • Nutrition Facts

    1 sandwich: 485 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 918mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.