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Best Pesto Grilled Cheese

Best Pesto Grilled Cheese
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The Best Pesto Grilled Cheese is a delightful and comforting sandwich featuring gooey melted cheese combined with fresh, herbaceous basil pesto, all grilled to golden, crispy perfection. This quick and easy recipe offers bold flavors, a perfect gooey texture, and can be customized to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Ideal for a fast dinner or an impressive snack, it brings a gourmet twist to a classic comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Choice

  • 2 thick slices of crusty bread (sourdough or ciabatta recommended)

Pesto

  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)

Cheese Selection

  • 3–4 slices mozzarella cheese (or a blend with fontina or provolone)

Butter

  • 2 tablespoons real butter, softened, for grilling

Optional Extras

  • Sliced tomatoes, as desired
  • Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, as desired

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice your bread thick enough to hold the fillings without becoming soggy. Lay out your cheese slices and have your pesto ready. This prep ensures smooth assembly and grilling.
  2. Spread Pesto Generously: On one side of each bread slice, spread a good amount of pesto. Don’t be shy—the pesto is what gives the grilled cheese its signature fresh and herbal punch.
  3. Add Cheese Layer: Layer your cheese evenly over one pesto-coated slice. Use enough cheese to achieve that satisfying, gooey melt, but not so much that it spills out excessively. Add optional sliced tomatoes or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
  4. Assemble Sandwich: Place the other slice of bread, pesto side down, on top of the cheese layer to complete your sandwich.
  5. Butter the Outside of Bread: Spread butter evenly on the outside of both bread slices — this will create that irresistible golden, crispy crust when grilled.
  6. Grill to Perfection: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwich for about 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula. Grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted beautifully.

Notes

  • Choose quality pesto: Use fresh or high-quality pesto for the best, most vibrant flavor.
  • Cook low and slow: Medium to medium-low heat ensures cheese melts without burning bread.
  • Press lightly: Use a spatula to gently press the sandwich for even cooking and compact texture.
  • Mix cheeses: Combining mozzarella and fontina enhances melt and buttery notes.
  • Use a nonstick skillet or add a bit of butter/oil to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto, grilled cheese, sandwich, comfort food, easy recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/best-pesto-grilled-cheese/