Pesto Grilled Cheese (Printable View)
Crispy sourdough meets basil pesto and melted mozzarella in this elevated comfort food classic.
# What You Need:
→ Bread
01 - 4 slices sourdough bread or favorite sandwich bread
→ Cheese
02 - 4 slices mozzarella cheese
03 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pesto
04 - 3 tablespoons basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
→ Butter
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
→ Optional Add-ins
06 - 2 slices tomato
07 - Fresh baby spinach leaves
# How-To Steps:
01 - Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
02 - Flip the bread slices and spread approximately 1½ tablespoons of basil pesto on the unbuttered side of two slices.
03 - Layer 2 slices of mozzarella cheese per sandwich over the pesto, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan. Add tomato slices or fresh spinach if desired.
04 - Top each assembled sandwich with the remaining bread slices, ensuring the buttered side faces outward.
05 - Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula until bread achieves golden brown color and cheese melts completely.
06 - Remove sandwiches from skillet and allow to rest for 1 minute. Slice diagonally and serve while warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Elevates a childhood favorite into something that feels fancy but takes the same effort
- The pesto adds bright herb flavor that cuts through rich, melty cheese perfectly
02 -
- Medium heat is your friend here, high heat will burn the bread before the cheese has time to melt properly
- Letting the sandwich rest for that minute feels impossible but prevents the cheese from escaping when you cut it
03 -
- Butter the bread to the very edges so you get maximum golden crust
- Low and slow beats rushed and burned every single time