Cheese is just one of those things in life that makes everything better. Am I right? I mean who doesn’t love cheese and crackers or cheese on their salads, or burgers?! Or string cheese? Now that I think about it, is there really anything you can’t add it to? HAHA! Ok. maybe there are a few things but not very many!
With it being winter grilled cheese and tomato soup has been on repeat. It’s such a simple meal but is so yummy. And when you make a homemade tomato soup, it’s even better!! The best part about grilled cheese though is that my kids never complain! They love cheese! And mom especially loves when it’s 100% real, natural cheese! I don’t have that guilt of filling them with over-processed stuff. Cue our most used brand, Sargento®! Not only do they make lots of great flavors, but it’s 100% real (unlike Pasteurized Process Cheese Foods, known as American singles that are only required to have 51% real cheese).
Wanting to take our grilled cheese game to the next level, I thought it would be fun to have a Grilled Cheese Bar! I put out a few different toppings that would be yummy when paired with their favorite Sargento® cheese of choice, let them build their own sandwich and threw it on our griddle for a perfect toasted sandwich. Then I made a batch of some amazing homemade tomato soup {which I shared below}.
Sargento® Sliced Cheese means perfect cheese portions every. single. time!
A local bakery provided the artisan bread. Some toppings we love are: bacon, avocado, freshly sliced tomato.
They accent the cheese perfectly.
You know a recipe is delicious when my mouth is watering while I write the blog post. Yum! 
The Tomato Soup recipe was given to me years ago by my friend Liz, and it is hands down the best one I have tried. It tastes a lot like Nordstrom’s version! And the best part is my kids love it!
HOMEMADE TOMATO BASIL SOUP
2 – 28 oz cans of whole tomatoes
6 large carrots, shredded
2 onions, chopped small
1/2 tablespoon dry basil
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1. In a large pot, saute carrots and onions in olive oil on medium heat for 15 minutes.
2. Add basil, salt and pepper, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
3. In a large bowl, whisk chicken bouillon into water until dissolved.
4. Add water mixture to the pot, bring to a boil and then simmer 45 minutes.
5. Puree the soup using a blender.
6. While adding the soup back into the pot, slowing mix in your heavy cream until a thin consistency.
7. Enjoy!
So what do you think? Are you ready to throw a grilled cheese sandwich party?! I mean you could have all your friends over but when they see you are serving delicious 100% real, natural cheese + amazing soup, they might not ever leave! 😉 
xoxo Brooke
Follow my friends from Sargento® on social (Facebook & Instagram), you won’t regret the yummy food inspiration.
why such a sudden influx of ads? is it just me??? they are on nearly every photo, all throughout the article and now there are ads with videos that won’t shut off. it’s very distracting and I find myself passing up reading because it’s such an invasive and loud experience. 🙁 it makes me sad because I love love love this site!!!!
I understand that bloggers rely on ads and sponsored posts, but I agree with iralee… when it’s so annoying that you can’t read the post, or that the posts sound like commercials, I stop reading. (And oddly enough, I’ve paid for my own website, out of pocket, for many years – no ads, no sponsors.)
Looks delicious. I always love your recipes. What flavor of boullion do you use? I think I’ve seen chicken and beef but didn’t know if they make others.
Thanks for asking! It is just chicken bouillon! 🙂 Hope this helps!
Just today I was thinking of ways to make the Christmas break more interesting & somehow more special. This idea is so sweet and the kids will have fun (and so will our big kids and their spouse & boyfriend!). Thank you.