Bacon Spinach Grilled Cheese with Tomato Basil Soup

Comfort food at its best.
Ingredients

Tomato Basil Soup

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 dash Italian seasoning
  • 2 (28 fluid ounce) cans whole San Marzano tomatoes (with juices)
  • 1.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or to taste)
  • 12 leaves fresh basil (torn)
  • Salt & pepper (to taste)

Grilled Cheese

  • 8 slices sourdough
  • 12 slices Havarti cheese
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions

Tomato Basil Soup

  1. Add the oil, butter, and onion to a soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes or until it’s lightly browned.
  2. Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning, followed by the tomatoes and chicken broth.
  3. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes, covered, with the lid slightly ajar.
  4. Blend the soup until it’s smooth (you may want to let it cool a little bit first). Stir in the cream and basil and season with salt & pepper as needed.

Grilled Cheese

  1. Melt butter and brush on to both sides of each sourdough slice.
  2. In a large skillet toast the bread, two slices at a time. Place two slices of cheese on top of one of the bread slices. Next add two slices of bacon, a handful of spinach, another cheese slice and top with a toasted sourdough.
  3. Press firmly down with a spatula and cook until cheese is melted, and sourdough is golden brown.

Dunking is highly encouraged!