Irresistible Best Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Enjoy this irresistible Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe featuring layers of fresh mozzarella, savory bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic pesto all grilled to golden perfection between thick slices of sourdough bread. Ready in just 20 minutes, this flavorful sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or cozy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread (small but thick)
- 3 balls fresh mozzarella (4.5 oz each, thinly sliced and patted dry)
- 8 sun-dried tomatoes (patted dry and diced)
- 4 slices bacon (cooked and diced)
- 4 tbsp pesto (heaped)
- Butter (as needed for spreading and grilling)
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Place two slices of sourdough bread in a frying pan with the heat turned off. Spread one side of each slice with butter, then flip so the buttered side is facing down on the pan.
- Add fillings: Layer 3-4 thin slices of fresh mozzarella on each buttered slice of bread. Spread 1 heaped tablespoon of pesto over the cheese, then sprinkle diced sun-dried tomatoes and cooked bacon pieces evenly. Top with another layer of mozzarella slices, followed by another slice of bread to complete the sandwich.
- Press and butter: Gently press down on the assembled sandwich with your hands to keep all the fillings contained. Then, spread butter on the exposed bread surfaces of the sandwich to prepare for grilling.
- Grill the sandwich: Turn the stovetop heat to medium. Cook the sandwich on the pan, flipping carefully to brown both sides until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
Notes
- Use thick slices of sourdough bread for best texture and sturdiness.
- Pat the mozzarella slices dry to avoid excess moisture, ensuring the sandwich doesn’t get soggy.
- Cook bacon until crispy before dicing to add a crunchy texture and smoky flavor.
- Adjust the pesto quantity according to your preference for herbaceousness.
- Pressing the sandwich helps the cheese melt evenly and fillings stay together while grilling.
- Maintain medium heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts inside.
Keywords: pesto grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, pesto sandwich, mozzarella sandwich, bacon grilled cheese, sun-dried tomato sandwich
