Description
Best Pesto Grilled Cheese: A golden, melty upgrade on the classic sandwich, fusing fresh basil pesto with oozy mozzarella and provolone between toasted sourdough. This quick, fuss-free recipe delivers bold, savory flavor in minutes, with optional tomato, spinach, or roasted peppers for color. Crispy edges, creamy cheese, and vibrant pesto make every bite irresistible for lunch, a snack, or cozy weeknight dinners. Perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices bread (sourdough or your favorite)
- 8 tbsp pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2–4 tbsp butter, softened
- Optional add-ins: tomato slices, spinach, roasted red peppers
Instructions
- Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
- Flip the slices over and spread 1 tbsp pesto on the unbuttered side of each.
- Layer mozzarella and provolone on four of the slices. Add optional fillings if desired.
- Top with the remaining bread slices, pesto side facing in.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook each sandwich 3–4 minutes per side until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- You can customize with tomato, spinach, or roasted peppers for extra color and flavor.
- For an extra crispy crust, toast the bread lightly before assembling.
- Use a panini press or grill for even melting and defined grill marks.
- Homemade pesto works great; blend fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: ≈530
- Sugar: ≈3 g
- Sodium: ≈800 mg
- Fat: ≈40 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈54 g
- Fiber: ≈4 g
- Protein: ≈22 g
- Cholesterol: ≈75 mg
Keywords: Best Pesto Grilled Cheese, pesto grilled cheese, gooey grilled cheese, easy pesto sandwich, crispy sourdough, cheesy lunch