Tomato Bacon Cheese Toast

Name: Tomato Bacon Cheese Toast Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 strips bacon; 4 slices whole wheat sourdough bread; 6 ounces cheddar cheese (sliced); 8 large basil leaves; 8 slices tomatoes; 2 tablespoons minced onion; ¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper

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Here's our take on tomato bacon cheese toast (aka grown-up grilled cheese). It's sourdough bread topped with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fresh tomato, basil, and onion then baked until melty and crisp. It makes a delicious brunch, lunch, or light dinner, and it's ready in just 20 minutes!

Enjoy this tomato bacon cheese toast with a comforting bowl of soup like our cozy celery soup or broccoli cheese soup.

a close up of cheese toasts with bacon and tomatoes

This recipe was originally published in 2012. We've updated the post with some new photos and more information but we've left the delicious recipe exactly the same.

If you're a grilled cheese sandwich fan (like we are), you'll love this easy open-face version with tomato, slices of bacon, and basil. It's everything we love about ooey-gooey grilled cheese, with a few added ingredients that make it extra delicious.

We can't exactly call it healthy, but this grown-up version of grilled cheese (sorry kids!) uses only real, fresh ingredients.

Toast it in the oven until crisp for a delicious work-from-home lunch, or easy light dinner. It's easy to customize it with your favorite sandwich toppings and pair it with a salad or soup for a quick balanced meal.

Tomato cheese toast ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe for tomato bacon cheese toast:

Bacon – good bacon is savory, salty, and a bit smoky. It's the perfect grown-up ingredient for this savory sandwich.
Whole wheat sourdough bread – we love sourdough for its texture and subtly sour taste. Feel free to substitute for a gluten-free option, if needed.
Cheddar cheese – any type of cheddar cheese will do, but our preferred cheese is a sharp cheddar for maximum flavor.
Basil – beautiful fresh basil adds brightness and a pop of flavor.
Tomatoes – large ripe tomatoes for slicing.
Onion
Sea salt + pepper

This sandwich recipe, like all sandwich recipes, is very flexible. Use more or less of any of the above ingredients to create your dream sandwich!

How to make tomato bacon cheese toast

Here's how to make this easy open-faced bacon sandwich in a few simple steps:

Start by preheating your oven, and cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy, about 10 minutes.
Arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet, and cover each slice of bread with cheese (breaking the cheese into smaller pieces to cover all the bread).
Layer on the cooked bacon strips, basil leaves, tomato slices, minced onion, salt, and pepper.
Pop them in the oven until the cheese has melted then cut each toast in half and serve right away.

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

FAQS

What kind of cheese goes well with cheese toast?

We love classic sharp cheddar cheese, but we also think monterey jack cheese or havarti cheese would taste great. Or pepperjack cheese would offer a spicy kick!

How long do leftovers keep in the refrigerator?

This sandwich is best eaten right away, but store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 5-8 minutes.

Can I use turkey bacon?

Sure! If you prefer turkey bacon, use that instead. Even veggie bacon would work for vegetarians.

Tomato Bacon Cheese Toast hot out of the oven

What to serve with tomato bacon cheese toast

This open-faced cheese sandwich is great for lunch or a light dinner. We've even been known to serve it for brunch with an egg or ripe avocado on top!

Enjoy it on its own or pair it with a salad, soup, or french fries. Here are some of our favorite recipes to serve alongside it:

It's delicious with one of these crunchy salads

Or try it with one of these soups for a cozy meal:

And french fries always make a good sandwich side:

a tomato bacon cheese toast on a baking sheet

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