Description
The Best Pesto Grilled Cheese is a flavorful and comforting sandwich combining fresh basil pesto, nutty Parmesan, and melty cheese on buttery toasted bread. Quick and easy to make in under 15 minutes, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of herbaceous brightness, creamy texture, and a crispy golden crust, ideal for any meal or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices sturdy bread (sourdough or ciabatta)
- 4 tablespoons fresh basil pesto
- 6 ounces good melting cheese (mozzarella or provolone), sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil for grilling
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread and Cheese: Lightly butter one side of each bread slice. Spread a generous but thin layer of fresh basil pesto on the unbuttered sides. Layer slices of your chosen cheese evenly atop the pesto for perfect melting.
- Grill the Sandwich: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan with the buttered side down and grill until golden brown and crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich and grill the other side until the cheese is fully melted and the bread toasted.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy: Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it rest for a minute to prevent burning your mouth. Slice and serve immediately, savoring the melty, herb-infused sandwich experience.
Notes
- Use room temperature cheese for faster, even melting and gooey texture.
- Don’t overload with pesto; a thin, even spread prevents soggy bread.
- Grill on medium or medium-low heat to melt cheese before bread burns.
- Press gently with a spatula while grilling to ensure even melting.
- Experiment by blending mozzarella with sharper cheeses like fontina or cheddar for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg