Grilled cheese doesn’t have to be ho-hum. Our pesto grilled cheese recipe incorporates provolone and mozzarella cheeses, a delicious pesto spread and crunchy Italian bread that’s the perfect texture for grilled cheese. A side of marinara for dipping makes this grilled cheese sandwich extra delish. Who’s ready for lunch?
Ingredients for Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Italian bread: Sliced Italian bread is ideal for making pesto grilled cheese, as it toasts up nicely.
- Prepared pesto: Pesto that’s already made saves sandwich-making time. If desired, make homemade pesto when you have lots of basil, and keep it on hand.
- Provolone and mozzarella cheeses: These sliced cheeses pair well and melt easily for grilled cheese.
- Marinara sauce (optional): Warm homemade marinara sauce makes a delicious dip for pesto grilled cheese.
Directions
Step 1: Assemble the sandwiches
Spread pesto on four slices of bread. Layer both types of cheese on top of the pesto, then top with the remaining bread to create four sandwiches.
Step 2: Add olive oil
Brush the outsides of the sandwiches with olive oil.
Step 3: Grill the sandwiches
Using a large cast-iron skillet or an electric griddle, toast the sandwiches over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the bread is nicely toasted, three to four minutes on each side. If desired, serve the sandwiches with a side of marinara for dipping.
Pesto Grilled Cheese Variations
- Butter the sandwich instead: Spread butter on the outsides of the sandwiches in place of olive oil for a buttery flavor that toasts into the bread.
- Use pizza sauce: If you don’t have marinara but do have some pizza sauce left over from pizza night, serve the grilled cheese with pizza sauce on the side.
- Add sliced tomato: Fresh, juicy tomato slices taste delicious on pesto grilled cheese, and on other sandwiches such as our grilled cheese with turkey. Slice the tomatoes thin and put them in the sandwich before toasting, or serve them on the side.
How to Store Pesto Grilled Cheese
A pesto grilled cheese sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers could be stored in the refrigerator for one to two days in an airtight container or wrapped in foil. Depending upon the thickness of the bread, the bread may become slightly soggy due to the pesto. Warm the sandwich up in a toaster oven for a couple minutes on medium heat.
Can you freeze grilled cheese with pesto?
Pesto grilled cheese is a good candidate for the freezer once you’ve assembled the sandwich, without the oil on the outside. Wrap the uncooked sandwiches in foil, then place them in zippered freezer bags. They’ll keep, frozen, for one to two months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then brush oil on the outside and grill them in the skillet or cast-iron pan as you would if making them fresh.
Pesto Grilled Cheese Tips
Could I grill these sandwiches another way?
Yes, if you don’t have an electric skillet or a cast-iron pan, a griddle is another option. Any skillet with a fairly heavy bottom also works well, as heavy-bottomed pans cook evenly. A sandwich press or George Foreman-style grill also makes excellent grilled cheese sandwiches.
Could I use different cheese?
Absolutely! Choose cheese that melts well and tastes good with pesto. Try smoked mozzarella, Gruyere, Swiss or even white cheddar.
What else would taste good with grilled cheese pesto?
The beauty of this sandwich is that you’re free to customize it with other add-ins. Sliced turkey, sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers would taste wonderful grilled in this sandwich. Add basil or spinach leaves to the sandwich, or serve a small salad on the side with Italian dressing or a light vinaigrette.
