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A pesto grilled cheese sandwich with gooey melted cheese and green pesto filling is cut in half and stacked on a wooden board. Sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and a bowl of pesto are served alongside for extra flavor.

Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Melissa Griffiths
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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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 335 kcal

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

Recipe Substitutions and Variations:
  • 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.
Storage Tip: Leftover pesto can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week with a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation. This means you can make multiple sandwiches throughout the week without any waste.
Oil Alternative: If you prefer not to use butter or olive oil, mayonnaise spread on the outside of the bread will also create a beautiful golden crust.
Seasonal Twist: During summer months, try adding a layer of fresh basil leaves along with or instead of the pesto for an even more aromatic experience.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 2 sandwichesCalories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 12gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 602mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1046IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 277mgIron: 2mg
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