This Viral Video Shows How You Can Make Stanley Tucci’s Favorite Sandwich
Updated: Jan. 18, 2024
Stanley Tucci's sandwich of choice is simple, yet refined, just like the actor himself.
There’s no comfort food quite as adaptable as the humble grilled cheese. Leveling up the simple sandwich is a breeze: all you need to do is add some fresh herbs, a swipe of flavorful spread, or even try out a different type of cheese. Even arbiters of good taste like Stanley Tucci can’t resist a melty cheese sandwich. On a recent episode of Margie Nomura’s Desert Island Dishes podcast, Tucci discussed his love for grilled cheese sandwiches—and his favorite spin on the classic comfort food. Nomura then posted a TikTok showing her twist on Stanley Tucci’s favorite sandwich.
Stanley Tucci has become a culinary sensation, try Stanley Tucci’s Risotto Cakes which might be our favorite thing ever.
How to Make Stanley Tucci’s Favorite Sandwich
Unsurprisingly, the Searching for Italy host’s favorite sandwich is made with ingredients from his ancestral homeland. If you want to get technical, this sandwich is a melt since there’s meat involved, but the important thing here is that it captures a good balance of flavors and textures. Fresh mozzarella is also key since its mild taste makes an excellent canvas for saltier or more acidic ingredients and it’s an excellent melting cheese.
@margie_nomura Stanley Tucci’s favourite sandwich from the Desert Island Dishes podcast #sandwich #stanleytucci #tuccitok #favouritesandwich #grilledcheese #foodtiktok ♬ Lujon – Henry Mancini
Ingredients
- 3 slices prosciutto
- 3 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or pesto
- Butter or olive oil
- 2 slices crusty bread
- Shredded white cheese (optional)
Directions
- For some extra melty goodness, start with shredded white cheese, such as cheddar or Gouda. Layer on prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, basil and/or pesto.
- Spread butter or olive oil on both sides of the sandwich.
- Warm on a nonstick pan over low heat until cheese melts.
- Remove from pan and let cool. Cut sandwich in half and enjoy.
For more recipes starring fresh mozzarella, try a Caprese salad or a marinated mozzarella appetizer.
Mozzarella Cheese Recipes You'll Love
Slow-Cooker Italian Beef SandwichesI have fond memories of my mother in the kitchen preparing her amazing beef dip sandwiches. They always made our house smell like an Old World Italian restaurant. And as good as the aroma was, somehow the taste was even better! Set out a jar of giardiniera for spooning on top. —Kira Vosk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pizza QuesadillasWhen my husband and I needed a quick meal, I fixed this recipe using leftover ingredients. Unlike traditional Mexican quesadillas, it calls for Italian meats, cheeses and seasoning. Serve it with a green salad for a simple dinner for two. —Barbara Rupert, Edgefield, South Carolina
Zucchini Pizza CasseroleMy husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza and I grow lots of zucchini, so this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Bruschetta Chicken WrapsAs an Italian American, I love, love, love garlic, tomatoes and basil, all of which are musts for good bruschetta. This recipe was created in celebration of the first tomatoes to come out of our home garden this year. —Gina Rine, Canfield, Ohio
Pancake LasagnaTake this dish along to your next potluck supper, and don't be surprised when there isn't a morsel left over—it's that good! It's also a unique way to serve lasagna. —Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri
Pepperoni Pan PizzaI've spent years trying to come up with the perfect pizza crust and sauce, and they're paired up in this recipe. I fix this crispy, savory pizza for my family often, and it really satisfies my husband and sons. —Susan Lindahl, Alford, Florida
Chicken & Cheese Noodle BakeThis is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
The Ultimate Grilled CheeseThese gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they're really fast to whip up, too. Here's how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois
Bistro Mac & CheeseI like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona
Baked Simple Meatball StroganoffIf you like meatball subs, you'll love this tangy casserole that has all the rich flavor of the popular sandwiches with none of the mess. Italian bread is spread with a cream cheese mixture, then topped with meatballs, spaghetti sauce and cheese. Bravo! —Gina Harris, Seneca, South Carolina
Cheesy Cauliflower BreadsticksThese grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve them with your favorite marinara sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Marinated Mozzarella & Tomato AppetizersInspired by a dish I had at a restaurant, this simply sensational combination should marinate for at least three hours—the longer the better. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup BakeThis casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio
Mozzarella & Spinach Breakfast CasseroleSun-dried tomatoes and sausage add lots of texture and flavor to this gooey casserole. We've even enjoyed it reheated after a night game at our local college. It's always a winner in my book. —Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Grilled Caprese QuesadillasHere's a quick and easy summer lunch that makes great use of garden-grown tomatoes. Feel free to make your quesadillas heartier by adding grilled chicken. —Amy Mongiovi, Lititz, Pennsylvania
Hot Cheese DipWhen a colleague brought this cheesy dip to school for a teachers potluck, I immediately gave it an A+. I had to have the recipe for this irresistibly creamy recipe to make for my family! —Ardyce Piehl, Poynette, Wisconsin
Spaghetti Meatball BakeWhen we gather for Sunday dinner, we crave pasta. I had a hankering for meatballs, too, so I developed a meaty spaghetti casserole. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire
Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast CasseroleI made this tasty sausage and crescent roll breakfast casserole for a baby shower. It saved the day: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
Quick Chicken ParmesanMy mother inspired me to develop my first pasta sauce. It's tangy, simple and really satisfying. The longer it simmers, the better it gets, so keep that in mind if you have time to spare. —Danielle Grochowski, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Italian Sausage-Stuffed ZucchiniI've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Green Chile Grilled Cheese MeltMy daughter created a masterpiece with her ultimate grilled cheese and chiles sandwich. Want more heat? Use a 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos instead of the mild green chiles. —Julia Huntington, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Originally Published: March 14, 2023
