Caprese Pesto Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Gourmet grilled cheese with creamy fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil pesto on toasted sourdough.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Cheese

01 - 4 slices sourdough bread
02 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced

→ Condiments

04 - 4 tablespoons basil pesto
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Spread 1 tablespoon of basil pesto on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
02 - Layer half the mozzarella slices and half the tomato slices evenly on two of the bread slices on top of the pesto side.
03 - Top with the remaining bread slices, pesto side down, to form two sandwiches.
04 - Lightly butter the outside of each sandwich on both top and bottom.
05 - Preheat a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
06 - Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from the pan, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms pantry staples into something that tastes like you spent an hour in the kitchen.
  • The pesto seeps into the bread while it toasts, creating pockets of herby, garlicky flavor in every bite.
  • Fresh mozzarella melts into creamy pools that hold the tomato slices in place perfectly.
  • It cooks in less than ten minutes but feels like a cafe-quality lunch.
02 -
  • If your mozzarella is too wet, pat it dry with a paper towel before layering or the sandwich will get soggy.
  • Medium heat is crucial, I burned my first attempt by cranking the heat too high and ending up with charred bread and cold cheese inside.
  • Pressing gently with the spatula helps the layers fuse together, but dont smash it flat or you will squeeze out all the melted cheese.
03 -
  • If you have a panini press or a cast iron skillet, use it to get even browning and extra crispy edges.
  • Make your own pesto if you have time, the fresher it is, the more vibrant and aromatic your sandwich will taste.
  • Softening the butter beforehand makes spreading it so much easier and prevents tearing the bread.
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