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Everything Cheddar Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese…all the flavors we love in a bowl of good tomato soup but in the form of grilled cheese. And it is SO GOOD! Summer tomatoes and crispy bacon layered between two slices of sourdough bread with fresh herbs, sharp cheddar, and buttery Havarti. This sandwich is coated in everything bagel spice and parmesan cheese before being pan-fried until the cheese is melty and the bread is crisp. It’s savory, herby, and heavy on the cheese…the most perfect summer grilled cheese…any day of the week.
Is there anything better than a really good grilled cheese? I’m pretty sure it’s that classic comfort food we all know and love. As a kid, my grilled cheese sandwiches consisted of whatever bread we had laying around the kitchen, cheese, and butter. Three ingredients that can do no wrong. My dad would make my brothers and I grilled cheese on nights when he didn’t have a lot in the kitchen. He was always heavy on the sharp cheddar and made them extra buttery.
They were perfect, and we loved them!
The one thing that always missing from dad’s grilled cheese dinners though? A bowl of tomato soup, which I feel is such a classic combo in the summer. But the funny thing about my dad? He’s always despised tomato soup. His memories of tomato soup are from the eighties. To him, tomato soup came from cans of Cambell’s that his mom would serve him at least once a week…or so he says anyway. This means instead of grilled cheese with a side of soup, my brothers and I grew up with just the grilled cheese.
We didn’t complain, we didn’t know any different. But since then I’ve learned just how delicious a good bowl of tomato soup is when paired with an extra cheesy grilled cheese. Such delicious summery flavors. And that combination is the inspiration behind this recipe. I took all the flavors from tomato soup and sandwiched them between sourdough bread with crispy bacon and a bit of everything bagel spice.
It’s extra special, but yet still so simple. These few added touches make this grilled cheese better…and exciting…and fun…and oh my gosh just so delicious!
Sorry for the run-on sentence there, but it’s hard to express my excitement. This grilled cheese is a new favorite and I already know it’s going to be a repeat recipe for the remainder of the summer.
Start with the tomatoes. Find some delicious ones, preferably heirloom, and then salt them. This helps to draw out any excess moisture the tomatoes may have. This step is key and ensures that your grilled cheese sandwich will never become soggy.
While the tomatoes are sitting, toss together a mix of extra sharp cheddar cheese, Havarti cheese (fontina would be great too), fresh basil, thyme, and chives. The cheddar adds the bulk of the flavor, while the Havarti acts as the super melty, gooey cheese. Yum!
Mixing the herbs in with the cheese creates an even more flavorful sandwich. Plus I’m just obsessed with all the fresh summer herbs from the garden right now. I love them so much.
Crisp up some bacon. Of course, this is optional. But if you’re a bacon lover, I would be sure to use it. It kind of makes this like a BLT grilled cheese. And yes, it’s just as delicious as it sounds.
Finally, the everything bagel spice…oh how I love this flavor combo! It’s a mix of sesame seeds, onion, and herbs. If you love the classic everything bagel, then you’ll love this spice. And guys, it makes this grilled cheese, so don’t skimp on it.
Butter the outside of the bread, sprinkle with parmesan (yes, that is the third cheese), and then add the everything spice. Layer the cheese mix, tomatoes, and bacon between the slices of bread. If you want to add even more flavor, sprinkle the tomatoes with a bit of everything spice too.
Now, add the sandwiches to a skillet and cook until the cheese has melted and the crust is deep golden and crunchy.
The cheese on the inside becomes that melty goodness we love so much. While the outside of the bread becomes crisp from the parmesan, which is literally pan-fried into the bread. And the everything spice? Well…
It. Is. So. Good!
Melted cheese, ripe summer tomatoes, crispy bacon, and everything spice equals perfection on so many levels. Make this one tonight as an easy Thursday dinner, trust me, you’re going to be very happy you did.
Looking for other grilled cheese recipes? Here are a few ideas:
French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese
Lastly, if you make this everything cheddar tomato bacon grilled cheese, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This grilled cheese is SO GOOD!! Just be careful if you are using store bought everything but bagel seasoning, I didn’t realize that mine has sea salt in it and it made the sandwich too salty. I will definitely make this again.
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Svonne! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
I just made this for lunch and it is such a game changer! Very simple additions added onto the “traditional grilled cheese” that make it bursting with different flavors! This is always going to be my go to grilled cheese now, thank you for sharing your brilliance!
Thank you Mes! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I typically do not comment on recipes but I felt the need on this one! WOW, so delicious. The crisp crunch of the bread, gooey cheese & fresh herby flavor is pure delight. I have recently, in the past couple of weeks, discovered your recipes and each one is better then the last. I think this was the 5 recipe I have made, you’re a new favorite of mine and can’t wait to keep exploring!
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this one, Melissa!! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This grilled cheese does not disappoint! Delicious!
Thank you Cara! I am so gla thsi turned out well for you! xTieghan
SO GOOD!
So good!!!
Thank you so much Katie! So glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is delicious! One question, how do you turn the sandwich without everything flying apart? I need your secret (I’m so uncoordinated when it comes to that part)
Hey,
The key is a very large spatula! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever made!!!
Thank you so much Kathy! xTieghan
I made this for my parents and me today. It was a delicious sandwich and it went well with a nice veggie-filled salad! I can’t wait to make it to pair with some soup this fall/winter!
Thank you so much Alycia! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
how do you cook your bacon so perfectly?
Hey Thomas,
I could my bake in a cast iron skillet. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
How to make everything spice ?
Hey Rani,
The recipe for the everything spice is located on this page? I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This sandwich is INSANE! I’m not a fan of sourdough but I had some homemade sandwich bread so I used that instead. This would be good on any bread honestly. SO GOOD. SO SO GOOD! I will pay for it on my jog in the morning but so worth it. Thanks for another winner, HBH!
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Karima! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Best. Grilled. Cheese. Ever. And pretty easy to pull together! Thx for sharing this one!!
Thank you for trying it! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Made this amazing sandwich for dinner last night and loved it! Took another reviewers suggestion and used the oil from the bacon to fry it in and it was epic! Sooo good that we are having it again for dinner tonight! Also, I’ve never been a fan of the Everything bagel spice but this recipe changed my mind. It totally made the sandwich. Fantastic recipe!
Thank you so much! I am so glad this could change your mind and you enjoyed this! xTieghan
HOLY SHIT.
I can’t believe I just made and ate the world’s greatest grilled cheese.
So salty, so gooey, so savoury, so satisfying.
Absolutely worth the effort of fiddling around with three types of fresh herbs.
Haha wow I am so glad you loved this one, Leah!! Thank you so much! xTieghan