Roasted Tomato Caprese Grilled Cheese.
Well, for me.
I actually planted something, like a vegetable, in a pot! At my house.
I had a bag of manure on my driveway and everything and I’d like to think that this is the start of a new me, buuuuut I complained the entire time. Not so surprising.
And yes, on this blog we declare tomatoes a vegetable. Seriously, don’t even start.
Ooooh so look at this bread.
So seedy right? Seedy in the good way, not seedy in the creeper way. It’s the harvest bread from Whole Foods and I could just chomp the entire loaf down in a few bites. It’s that fabulous.
…and look at this…
SO MANY VEGETABLES. Not the vegetables I planted, but so what?
Well, okay whatever. Maybe not. But lots of green and red stuff. Things that you can trick yourself into thinking are straight up veg. Basically I ate a salad on seeded bread.
Some of you may recall how over the last two years I’ve developed a snack fascination with toasted baguettes covered in tomatoes, basil, balsamic and fresh mozz to the point of golden bubbles. A very healthy addiction of sorts.
This is that, with another little bread hat. And roasted tomatoes…
These tomatoes get so sweet… and are almost reminiscent of a sauce right there on the sandwich. Sort of makes me want to like tomato sauce. Plus, we all know that roasting is the ONLY way I’ll eat anything that grows outdoors and is not of the fruit variety. With the melty cheese and the basil leaves… it was totally summer on a plate.
But the best part by far is the balsamic reduction, especially since I am a vinegar freak. I’ve been chewing on brine-y things since my crawling days, like olives and pickles and what not, so a sandwich like this appeals to both my sweet and sour side. And seriously, anytime something that looks like this can be considered healthy is pretty much the best day ever. Monday, you’re okay.
Roasted Tomato Caprese Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Glaze
serves 2
6 tomatoes (vine or roma), sliced about 1/2 inch thick
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3-4 ounces fresh mozzarella
12-15 basil leaves
4 slices seedy bread
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place tomatoes on a nonstick baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 45-50 minutes. While tomatoes are roasting, add vinegar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a very low simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until liquid reduces by about half and is slightly syrupy. Remove from heat, pour vinegar in a bowl or glass to pour, and let sit.
Once tomatoes are finished, heat a large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Brush the outsides of each slice of bread with olive oil, then place mozzarella on one slide, followed by tomatoes, basil (feel free to shred it if you’d like), more tomatoes and more mozzarella. Cook until cheese is melty and each side is golden, about 5 minutes per side. Serve immediately drizzle with balsamic.
FYI… this is my dinner tonight. Again.
140 Comments on “Roasted Tomato Caprese Grilled Cheese.”
oooh I would LOVE this sandwich!
OOOH AND I WANT IT TO BE MINE.
I absolutely love roasted tomatoes… these sandwiches look heavenly!
I’m proud of you for planting a tomato plant! This sandwich looks incredible, and the photo of you drizzling the balsamic reduction on it is stunning! I’m craving this sandwich now, but it’s going to have to wait….I am making Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms for lunch! ;-)
Good, soft, mozzarella cheese is my weakness. This sandwich looks absolutely stunning. I don’t blame you for eating it two meals in a row!
My favorite kind of sandwich! I love the Caprese and your sandwich looks incredible!!!
This looks amazing! I love caprese–I could eat this every night of the week.
I am drooling right before I leave for school. Lovely ha.
That balsamic glaze drizzled all over that sandwich kinda makes me want to die right now. SO GOOD.
I LOVE roasted tomatoes. I hate eating those little tomatoes raw, but I absolutely love roasting them. They get sweeter and juicier. This is definitely my kind of sandwich! I am so ready for my tomatoes to be ready for picking and eating!
I thought about you this weekend. I visited my grandmother alone for the weekend and it was such an amazing trip. We talked life, love, past and future…you always make me think of my grandmother when you talk about yours.
I hope you have a great week!
Oh and she actually talked about her love of tomato sandwiches this weekend too!
Oh I love this so much.
caprese… my favorite kind of salad! and now available in GRILLED CHEESE form? I die.
How can something I despise be so pretty?
Wow this is so weird because I was thinking of making a tomato, mozzarella sandwich for lunch with balsamic vinegar and all!! But your version looks better than what I was imagining, maybe I’ll try this! :)
Lunch, dinner, breakfast, repeat! Awesome!
tomatoes = totally a vegetable.
this sandwich = dreamy.
I make a way uglier version of this sandwich – yours looks amazing. I can’t get enough of balsamic either!
1. I’m so proud you planted something! I hope it gets full sun :)
2. This must be my dinner. Now!
Good luck with your garden. The sandwich looks fabulous!
That is the best thing I’ve ever looked at.
Ever.
You had me at roasted. That picture with the balsamic vinegar drizzled all over the sandwich is absolutely incredible and just makes me want to dive right in.
Yay! A garden!!! There’s nothing like fresh veggies out of your own backyard…and the best thing, if you get an abundance of them, you can share them with your neighbors! *wishes she was Jessica’s neighbor* ;-)
I too am taking my first stab at gardening. Fingers crossed I don’t kill them. Also, would it be wrong to have this for breakfast? Cause it’s sounding pretty damn good right now.
Pinned and will be making VERY soon! LOVE!
YESSSS!! This sounds so awesome. Also, congrats on planting a vegetable! haha
the bag of manure totally makes it the start of a new you! i’ll count it :)
Ohhhhhhhhh yesssssssssss.
caprese is the epitome of summer food, love this!
Immediately pinning so I remember to make this amazing sandwich! Yummo.
This = summer. Love it.
Looks so healthy and delicious too. Perfect for a light meal.
Balsamic vinegar is to me what brown butter is to you (aka heaven, the cure for all things evil, the only condiment I’ll pay $24+/bottle for, my anti-drug). This sounds fabulous!!
These look incredible! I love tomatoes on grilled cheese and I love caprese salads and balsamic reduction. I want everything about this meal!
This looks like the perfect sandwich! those tomatoes alone have me drooling!
I have been ALL about what I call “Adult Grilled Cheese” lately, and this is a PERFECT example. I may also put avocado on it. Mmmm NOM.
I’m pretty sure I could happily eat that for dinner every night this entire week. Looks pretty delicious and congrats on your planting adventure! I need to focus on getting myself a green thumb…
caprese salads/sandwiches are one of my faves – i always order them at italian restaurants. the roasted tomatoes just puts it over the top.
Caprese ANYTHING is my fave. This has me salivating lol! Congrats on the gardening experience. I saw it on Instagram and laughed at your caption :)
You definitely can’t go wrong with anything caprese!
I have all the ingredients! I know what I’ll be making for lunch! Thanks!
Roasted tomatoes..yum! I think I’ll add an egg and call it breakfast :)
Ummm YUM! I made a caprese salad last night, potentially making this sandwich tonight with the leftovers!!!
My mouth is watering! Balsamic vinegar reductions are something that I put on everything, ice cream, fish, you name it, it tastes great on it!
Everything about this post, just looks amazing!
That balsamic drizzle is amazing. For some reason, I have not been able to get enough grilled cheese lately. This one screams summer too. I love it!
Yep, I’d eat this for dinner every day! Looks delicious and summery…wishing I had one of these right now instead of my lame salad :)
Grown-up grilled cheese sandwiches are pretty much the best thing ever. Besides chocolate. And ice cream. But a close 3rd place. Yum!
That sounds delicious!!
Thank you! Tomatoes are SO a vegetable! And goodness gracious does that look mouthwatering. Going to go rob my basil plant of a few leaves and make a caprese soon!
I love how slowly the plate get’s more… balsamic-y… as the photos go on… from a little to DOUSED. ♥
GRATS on the planting!
I grow about 80lbs of tomatoes a year [not counting cherry-types] so I’m cheering you on from the side lines!
This looks amazing! I love a good sandwich. Tomato and basil are the best flavour combo, but I never thought of roasting the tomatoes for a sandwich. And I usually use goat cheese but I am trusting you here and going for the mozzarella. I can’t wait to have this for dinner.
looks delicious, i love caprese anything, especially their grilled cheese sandwiches.
delish!