Description
This Roasted Tomato Melt Stack is a special comfort food featuring sweet roasted tomatoes, bubbling golden cheese, and crisp bread. It’s an easy dinner idea that transforms simple pantry staples into a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Roma, cherry, or vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced or halved
- 8 slices sturdy loaf bread (sourdough, ciabatta, or your favorite artisan bread)
- 8 slices (approx. 8 oz) provolone, mozzarella, or fontina cheese
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 0.5 tsp garlic powder)
- 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Prep and Roast Tomatoes: Slice 1.5 lbs tomatoes into 0.5-inch rounds or halve cherry tomatoes. Toss them in a large bowl with 3 Tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper until evenly coated. Spread the tomatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan. Roast at 400(degree)F (200(degree)C) for 20-25 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Assemble Stacks: Lightly toast your 8 slices of sturdy bread if you like extra crispness. Once roasted, generously layer the warm, tender tomatoes onto 4 slices of bread. Top each with 2 slices of cheese, ensuring good coverage for a perfect melt.
- Melt and Serve: Carefully transfer the assembled open-faced sandwiches onto a baking sheet. Place them under a preheated broiler for 3-4 minutes, or into a hot pan on the stovetop over medium heat, until the cheese is bubbly, golden, and fully melted. Garnish generously with 0.25 cup fresh basil just before serving.
Notes
To prevent soggy bread, use a sturdy loaf like sourdough or ciabatta. Always taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning before assembling. Watch tomatoes for tenderness during roasting to avoid over-roasting. This recipe can be made dairy-free with alternative cheese or low-carb with low-carb bread. Consider roasting a double batch of tomatoes for quick meal prep. For best flavor, use ripe, in-season summer tomatoes. Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 open-faced melt (approx. 300 g)
- Calories: 490 calories
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: easy dinner, comfort food, roasted tomatoes, cheesy melt, sandwich, vegetarian, weeknight, family meal