Beauty & Essex Copycat Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Cozy, comforting, and packed with flavor, this copycat Grilled Cheese with Oven-Roasted Tomato Soup recreates the beloved dish from the popular restaurant Beauty & Essex, with locations in Hollywood, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and New York, NY. The rich, tangy roasted tomato soup pairs perfectly with melty American and Gruyère grilled cheese, bringing a taste of this iconic spot right to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• 2 slices of white bread (or your choice)
• 1 tsp mayonnaise (for spreading on bread)
• 1 tsp softened butter (for finishing in the oven)
• 3 slices American cheese
• 1 slice Gruyère cheese

Oven-Roasted Tomato Soup

• 3.5 lbs ripe tomatoes
• 1 large white or yellow onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2.5 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Fine sea salt, black pepper
• Heavy cream or olive oil, croutons, fresh basil

Instructions

1. Make the Tomato Soup

1. 1. Roast the tomatoes: Preheat oven to 450°F. Quarter the tomatoes (or halve if small) and arrange cut-side-up on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Roast for 45 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.

   2. Sauté aromatics: In a large stockpot, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes; sauté 2 more minutes, stirring frequently.

   3. Combine ingredients: Add roasted tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, and fresh basil. Stir to combine.

   4. Purée: Using a handheld immersion blender (or traditional blender), purée soup to your desired texture.

   5. Season: Taste and adjust with extra salt, pepper, or smoked paprika as needed. Keep warm.

 2. Make the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

1. Prep bread: Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of each bread slice.

2. Assemble: Layer 2 slices of American cheese, then Gruyère, then 1 more slice of American between the bread slices.

3. Cook on stovetop: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat. Place sandwich in skillet and cook slowly, about 3–4 minutes per side, until bread is golden and cheese begins to melt.

4. Optional oven finish: Transfer skillet to a preheated 350°F oven for 2–5 minutes to fully melt the cheese and lightly toast the top.

3. Serve Together

1. 1. Spoon warm roasted tomato soup into soup spoons.

   2. Cut grilled cheese into small bite-sized pieces.

   3. Place the pieces on top of the soup for a playful and indulgent presentation.

   4. Garnish with optional toppings like a drizzle of olive oil, or fresh parsley.

Serve warm and enjoy every bite of gooey cheese and velvety tomato soup. Easy to make, irresistibly tasty, and a perfect homage to Beauty & Essex, this dish is comfort food done right—no reservation needed.