Irresistible Pesto Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

This pesto mozzarella grilled cheese takes ordinary comfort food to a whole new level, blending gooey melted cheese with fresh, garden-like basil pesto flavors. You'll love the way the buttery, crunchy outside contrasts with the stretchy, warm cheese inside – it's a sandwich that feels cozy yet special.

I whipped this sandwich up during a drizzly day when I wanted comfort food but was bored with regular grilled cheese. It's now what I make when I need to wow someone without spending forever in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Sourdough bread: Makes a firm foundation with a bit of tang that goes amazingly with the pesto
• Basil pesto: Packs a punch of herb flavor and richness all at once. Try to find one where you can see the olive oil floating on top
• Mozzarella cheese: Gives you that famous pull-apart quality and gentle creaminess. Go for fresh mozzarella if you can
• Unsalted butter: Lets you decide how salty your sandwich gets while making that golden crust
• Optional Parmesan cheese: Brings a savory, salty kick that makes everything taste better

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Bread:

Put a big spoonful of pesto on one side of each piece of bread, making sure to go all the way to the edges. The pesto's oil will soak a bit into the bread, adding flavor before you even start cooking.

Cheese Distribution:

Put your mozzarella evenly on the pesto side of two bread slices. If you're using fresh mozzarella, dab it with paper towels first so your sandwich doesn't get soggy. If you want Parmesan too, sprinkle it over the mozzarella.

Sandwich Assembly:

Put the other bread slices on top with the pesto facing the cheese. Push down lightly so the sandwich isn't too thick and the cheese melts evenly.

Butter Application:

Spread soft butter thinly all over the outside of both sides. Don't miss the edges – that's how you get even browning everywhere.

Cooking Process:

Warm your pan on medium until water drops sizzle when they hit it. Put your sandwich in and listen for that nice sizzle sound. Cook about 2-3 minutes, pushing down now and then with a spatula, then flip carefully and cook until the other side looks just as golden and crisp.

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What I love most about this sandwich is how the basil pesto smell and taste take over the whole thing. Once I made these for my buddy who swore she hated pesto, and I couldn't help but smile when I saw her face light up after the first bite.

Perfect Pairings

This fancy grilled cheese deserves the right sides. A basic tomato soup works perfectly the old-fashioned way, but with extra style. The soup's tanginess cuts through the rich cheese while playing nice with the herby pesto. If you want something lighter, try a small arugula salad with just lemon juice and olive oil dressing that matches the pesto flavors but adds a nice crunch.

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Storage Solutions

Grilled cheese tastes best right off the stove, but you can get them ready ahead of time for quick cooking later. Put your sandwiches together without buttering the outside, wrap them up tight in plastic, and keep in the fridge for up to a day. When you're ready to cook, just butter the outside and follow the usual steps. You can warm up already cooked sandwiches in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, though they won't be quite as good as fresh ones.

Pesto Variations

What makes this sandwich so great is how easy it is to switch things up. Try using sun-dried tomato pesto for a sweeter, stronger taste. Arugula pesto adds some nice spiciness that works great with the mild mozzarella. In winter, you might like kale pesto with walnuts for a more earthy flavor. Each change creates a totally different sandwich while using the same cooking method.

Common Questions

→ Can I use a different type of bread?

Absolutely, any crusty option works well for this sandwich. Why not try a slice of sourdough to add some tang?

→ What kind of pesto works best?

We suggest basil pesto, but you can switch things up with sun-dried tomato or spinach versions for something different.

→ Can I make this without butter?

Sure thing, swap butter for olive oil or cooking spray if you want a lighter option, though butter will give you the tastiest golden crust.

→ How do I ensure the cheese melts thoroughly?

Keep your heat at medium so the cheese gets nice and gooey while the bread doesn't burn.

→ What add-ins pair well with this sandwich?

You can't go wrong with some tomato slices, fresh spinach leaves, or a little drizzle of balsamic for extra flavor punch.