Caprese Pesto Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil pesto melted between toasted sourdough bread. A gourmet Italian-American favorite.

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Spread 1 tablespoon of basil pesto on one side of each slice of sourdough bread.
02 - Distribute half the mozzarella slices and half the tomato slices evenly on two bread slices, placing them directly on the pesto-coated side.
03 - Top each filled bread slice with a remaining bread slice, pesto side down, to form two complete sandwiches.
04 - Lightly coat the outside surfaces of each sandwich with softened butter on both top and bottom.
05 - Preheat a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat until hot.
06 - Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, gently pressing with a spatula, until the bread achieves a golden brown crust and the cheese melts completely.
07 - Remove from heat, allow to rest for 1 minute, then slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels fancy but comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for when you want something special without the fuss.
  • The combination of creamy mozzarella, bright pesto, and juicy tomatoes tastes like vacation even on a Tuesday night.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already, and the technique works every single time once you get the heat right.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here, I learned this after burning three sandwiches in a row trying to rush the process on high.
  • Pat your tomato slices dry with a paper towel before layering them in, otherwise the juice will make everything slide around and leak out the sides.
  • If your mozzarella is very wet, squeeze it gently or let it drain on a towel for a few minutes so it melts instead of steaming the bread.
03 -
  • Use a heavy spatula or even a small pot to press down on the sandwich while it cooks, this speeds up the melting and creates better contact with the pan.
  • If your pesto is very thick, mix in a teaspoon of olive oil to make it easier to spread and to keep it from clumping.
  • Let your butter soften completely at room temperature, it makes spreading so much easier and prevents you from tearing the bread.
Return