This Pesto Grilled Cheese takes the classic comfort food sandwich to incredible new heights with vibrant basil flavors and gooey melted cheese. Crispy bread, melted mozzarella, and fresh basil pesto create the perfect bite.
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🥪 This sandwich comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or lazy weekend lunches.
My 2 Best Tips For Making Pesto Grilled Cheese
Cheese Distribution: Spread the shredded mozzarella evenly across the entire surface of the bread to ensure consistent melting. Leaving gaps or piling the cheese too thick in one area can result in uneven texture and cold spots. The goal is a uniform layer that will melt completely and create that perfect cheese pull.
Pesto Application: Apply the pesto in a thin, even layer to prevent it from overwhelming the other flavors or making the sandwich soggy. Too much pesto can also cause the sandwich to slide apart when you try to flip it. A light coating is all you need to infuse every bite with that delicious basil flavor.
Choose a sturdy bread that can hold up to the fillings without becoming soggy or falling apart. Sourdough, thick-cut white bread, or artisan sandwich bread work beautifully for this recipe. Avoid thin or overly soft breads that might not hold the grilled cheese together.
The pesto adds an incredible depth of flavor that transforms an ordinary grilled cheese into something extraordinary. Each bite provides the perfect balance of rich, nutty cheese and bright, herbaceous pesto. The optional garden tomato adds a fresh, juicy element that complements the richness beautifully.
You can experiment with different cheeses, bread types, or additional ingredients to make it your own. The basic technique remains the same, but the flavor possibilities are endless.
🩷 Melissa
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Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices good sandwich bread
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small garden tomato (sliced thin, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
- Butter one side of all 4 pieces of bread.
- Add pesto to the other side of 2 pieces of the bread.
- Place the two pieces of bread with pesto on them in the hot pan, butter side down (against the pan).
- Add the sliced tomato on top of the pesto if using, top with ¼ cup of shredded cheese on each piece of bread.
- Top with the last piece of buttered bread, butter side up.
- Cook until the bottom piece of bread is toasted and golden-brown.
- Flip it over, and cook on the other side until it is toasted golden-brown and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the pan, and serve hot.
Notes
- No homemade pesto? We love the Kirkland Signature pesto from the refrigerated section at Costco.
- You can make these with or without the tomato, it's great both ways. A fresh garden tomato with pesto and warm cheese is pretty magical.
- You can customize this sandwich in lots of ways by varying the cheese, bread, or additions.
Nutrition
How To Make Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Step 1. Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Spread pesto on the opposite side of two of the slices.
Step 3. Cook until the side touching the pan is golden and toasted, then flip the sandwich over.
Step 2. Place the two slices with pesto butter side down in the skillet. Add the tomato, if using. Sprinkle half of the cheese on each, then place the remaining slice of bread, butter side up, on top.
Step 4. Continue cooking until the other side is golden and toasted and the cheese is all melted. Remove from pan and serve hot.
Recipe FAQs
Use a wide spatula and support the sandwich with your other hand (using a kitchen towel for protection) when flipping. Make sure the bottom is fully golden before attempting to flip, as this indicates the cheese has started to melt and hold things together.
Yes, you can! While mozzarella provides a wonderful mild flavor and excellent melting properties, you can substitute with provolone, fontina, or even sharp cheddar.
The sandwich is delicious with or without tomatoes, so you can easily omit them if they're not available. If you want to add some acidity and freshness, try sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even a few fresh basil leaves for extra herb flavor.
Grilled cheese is definitely best served immediately while the cheese is still melty and the bread is crispy. However, you can prep the ingredients beforehand by pre-buttering the bread and having your pesto and cheese ready to go for quick assembly when you're ready to cook.
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