Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes

(3)

Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast. Toasting the bread first keeps it from getting soggy under the tomatoes. Watch out: The scalding cheese-and-tomato can burn the roof of your mouth if you’re not careful. I like to eat mine with a fork and knife to cool off each bite, but feel free to eat these however you choose.

Two slices of toast with melted cheddar cheese and tomato on a white plate cut into halves
Credit:

Abbey Littlejohn

Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
1
  • You need just 10 minutes to make these cheesy toasts for a fast, filling lunch.
  • Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against heart disease.
  • Pre-toasting the bread is the trick to keeping the toasts crisp under juicy tomato slices.
Slices of bread on a plate next to cheddar cheese slices a tomato and a bowl of ground pepper

Abbey Littlejohn

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 1 servings

  • 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, toasted

  • 4 slices tomato

  • Pinch of freshly ground pepper

  • 2 (1-oz.) slices Cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler to high with oven rack 6 inches from heat source. Place 2 toast slices on a baking sheet. Top each with 2 tomato slices. Season with a pinch of pepper. Top each with 1 Cheddar slice. Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Toasted bread slices with melted cheddar and tomato placed on a baking tray

EatingWell.com, August 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

403 Calories
21g Fat
32g Carbs
22g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 2 toasts
Calories 403
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 5g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 22g 43%
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Vitamin A 220µg
Vitamin C 11mg 13%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 17%
Folate 54µg
Vitamin K 13µg
Sodium 661mg 29%
Calcium 509mg 39%
Iron 2mg 11%
Magnesium 72mg 17%
Potassium 403mg 9%
Zinc 3mg 30%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.