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A close-up of a pesto grilled cheese sandwich cut in half, showing melted mozzarella and green pesto filling inside crispy, buttery bread.

Pesto Grilled Cheese

This Pesto Grilled Cheese elevates a classic comfort food with just one simple addition fresh basil pesto. Crispy, buttery bread gives way to gooey mozzarella and bright, garlicky pesto for a sandwich that tastes café-quality but comes together in 10 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian fusion
Keyword: Mozzarella tomato basil pesto grilled cheese sandwich, Pesto grilled cheese calories, Pesto grilled cheese near me, Pesto grilled cheese reddit, Pesto grilled cheese sandwich, Pesto grilled cheese sauce
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Optional Rest: 1 minute
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 480kcal
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • 1 Skillet or griddle (Non-stick or cast iron preferred)
  • 1 Spatula (Thin and flexible for easy flipping)
  • 1 Butter knife (For spreading butter and pesto)
  • 1 Cutting board (For sandwich assembly)
  • 1 Sharp knife (For slicing sandwich diagonally)

Ingredients

The Basics

  • 4 slices Bread - Sourdough ciabatta, or preferred bread
  • 4 tablespoon Fresh basil pesto - Store-bought or homemade
  • 4 oz Mozzarella cheese - Sliced room temperature
  • 2 tablespoon Butter - Softened for spreading

Optional Add-Ins

  • 4 slices Tomato - Pat dry before adding
  • handful — Arugula or spinach - Adds freshness
  • ¼ cup Cooked chicken or turkey - Optional for protein
  • 2 tablespoon Sun-dried tomatoes - Chopped
  • few leaves Fresh basil - For Caprese variation

Instructions

  • Bring cheese to room temperature, soften butter, and have pesto ready. Slice cheese if needed and prepare your bread slices.
  • Spread 1–2 tablespoons of pesto on the inside of both bread slices (avoid edges). Layer mozzarella and any optional add-ins, then close the sandwich.
    Two open-faced sandwiches topped with mozzarella cheese, pesto, fresh basil, and tomato slices on toasted bread, ready to be grilled.
  • Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of both bread slices to ensure a golden, crispy crust when grilled.
    A slice of pesto grilled cheese cooking in a skillet on the stove, sizzling in melted butter with herbs and pesto spread across the bread’s surface.
  • Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the sandwich for 3–4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, pressing gently with a spatula.
  • Let rest for 1 minute, slice diagonally, and serve immediately while hot and melty. Enjoy!
    A slice of pesto grilled cheese cooking in a skillet on the stove, sizzling in melted butter with herbs and pesto spread across the bread’s surface.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 200g | Calories: 480kcal (24%) | Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) | Protein: 18g (36%) | Fat: 32g (49%) | Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 65mg (22%) | Sodium: 780mg (34%) | Potassium: 180mg (5%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 800IU (16%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 350mg (35%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
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