Pesto Grilled Cheese Delight (Printable Version)

Crispy toasted bread layered with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes for a vibrant meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices sourdough or country bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Pesto

03 - 2 tbsp basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Vegetables

04 - 4–6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced

→ For Grilling

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Arrange bread slices and evenly spread 1 tablespoon of pesto over two slices.
02 - Layer sliced mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes on top of the pesto-covered slices.
03 - Cover fillings with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
04 - Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of each sandwich.
05 - Warm a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
06 - Place sandwiches buttered side down in the skillet; cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
07 - Butter the top sides, flip sandwiches, and cook another 3 to 4 minutes, pressing gently until cheese melts and both sides are golden.
08 - Remove from heat, allow to rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto makes every bite taste intentional and restaurant-quality, not like something you threw together on a Tuesday.
  • Melted mozzarella stays creamy without turning into plastic, especially when you use fresh rather than pre-sliced cheese.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes give you concentrated flavor and subtle tang that regular tomatoes can't match, even in summer.
02 -
  • Fresh mozzarella continues to melt even after you pull the sandwich off heat, so pull it when the cheese looks almost done, not completely melted.
  • The quality of your bread matters more than you'd think—dense, crusty bread holds up to heat and butter without falling apart like soft sandwich bread would.
  • Pesto has oil in it, so you don't need to spread butter as thickly as you would on a regular grilled cheese without it.
03 -
  • Softened butter spreads without tearing delicate bread, and it creates better browning than cold butter mashed into the surface.
  • The pan temperature matters more than the cooking time—medium-low heat gives you golden bread and melted cheese instead of burned outsides with cold centers.
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