Caprese Pesto Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomato, and basil pesto melted between golden, crispy bread. A vibrant Italian-American comfort sandwich.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced into rounds
04 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, optional for garnish

→ Spreads & Condiments

05 - 2 tbsp basil pesto

→ Bread

06 - 4 slices rustic or sourdough bread

→ Seasonings

07 - Salt to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Spread 1/2 tbsp of softened butter on one side of each bread slice
02 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean work surface
03 - Spread 1 tbsp of basil pesto on the unbuttered side of each bread slice
04 - Distribute mozzarella slices evenly over the pesto, then top with tomato rounds. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper
05 - Cover each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, positioning buttered side facing outward
06 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until evenly warmed
07 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and crisp, approximately 3 to 4 minutes
08 - Flip sandwiches carefully and cook the other side until golden and cheese is completely melted, approximately 3 to 4 minutes
09 - Remove from heat, allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes, slice in half diagonally, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of melty mozzarella and tangy pesto creates an incredible depth of flavor that regular grilled cheese just cant match
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but tastes like something you'd order at a Italian cafe
  • The fresh tomato adds this perfect juicy contrast to the rich, buttery bread
02 -
  • Medium low heat is your friend here. I've burned more grilled cheeses than I care to admit because I got impatient with the temperature.
  • Don't overcrowd your pan. If you're making more than two sandwiches, do them in batches so you can easily flip them without disaster.
  • Letting the sandwiches rest for a couple minutes after cooking actually makes a huge difference in the final texture.
03 -
  • Pat your tomato slices dry with paper towels before assembling to prevent soggy bread
  • If your butter is too hard to spread, pop it in the microwave for just 5 to 10 seconds
  • A cast iron skillet gives the most even heat distribution for perfectly golden results
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