Do you feel that? The light takes on a new hue. The world feels a little more enchanted. The past is just a touch brighter. Nostalgia can charm us like few other forces in the world. It’s times like this we could all use a meal that tastes… well, that tastes like old times. Like Old Times Casserole starts with a base of the best grilled cheese sandwiches you could imagine: sharp cheddar and nutty, creamy Swiss cheese melted between two buttered, toasted slices. On top are oven-roasted tomatoes for brightness and sweetness, with a lusciously creamy and savory custard all over, tasting like all the best dipping sauces ever! Like Old Times Casserole takes you back to when life was simpler and joyous and ignites a spark of that feeling again!
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 12 slices white bread
- 12 slices cheddar
- 6 slices Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
- 4 cups mixed cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- kosher salt, to taste
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 large eggs
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the broiler.
Step 2 –Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of the melted butter.
Step 3 –Lay 6 slices of the bread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Step 4 –Brush the tops of the slices with 1/2 of the melted butter, being generous.
Step 5 –Broil the bread, rotating the baking sheet as necessary, until the bread is golden brown and toasted, about 2-4 minutes.
Step 6 –Flip the bread slices so the untoasted side is up.
Step 7 –On 3 slices of the bread, place 2 slices of the cheddar each.
Step 8 –Place 1 slice of the Swiss cheese on each of the remaining 3 bread slices on the baking sheet.
Step 9 –Broil until the cheese is completely melted, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 10 –Sandwich the cheddar cheese toast slices and the Swiss toast slices together, placing the cheese in the middle so you have 3 grilled cheeses.
Step 11 –Transfer the grilled cheese sandwiches from the baking sheet and repeat the process with the remaining butter, the remaining bread, the remaining cheddar, and the remaining Swiss cheese.
Step 12 –Trim the crusts off the sandwiches.
Step 13 –Arrange the sandwiches in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Step 14 –Sprinkle the parmesan over the tops of the sandwiches.
Step 15 –On a baking sheet, scatter the tomatoes and toss with the salt.
Step 16 –Broil the tomatoes until very soft and the skins are wrinkled and browned in spots, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 17 –Spread the tomatoes over the sandwiches.
Step 18 –Switch the broiler to bake and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 19 –Whisk together the half-and-half, the mayonnaise, the eggs, the salt, and the pepper in a large bowl.
Step 20 –Pour the sauce mixture over the tomatoes and the sandwiches. Don’t worry if it doesn’t completely cover.
Step 21 –Cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 22 –Bake until the custard is mostly set, about 30 minutes.
Step 23 –Remove the foil and bake until the casserole is hot and golden-brown in spots, about 15 minutes.
Step 24 –Serve topped with the parsley.
