Caprese Pesto Grilled Cheese

Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomato, and aromatic pesto melted between golden, crispy bread. A vibrant Italian-American favorite.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

03 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced into rounds

04 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves

05 - 2 tbsp basil pesto

06 - 4 slices rustic or sourdough bread

07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

01 - Spread 1/2 tbsp butter on one side of each bread slice.

02 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean work surface.

03 - Spread 1 tbsp pesto on the unbuttered side of each bread slice.

04 - Distribute mozzarella slices evenly over pesto, then arrange tomato rounds on top. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

05 - Cover each sandwich with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.

06 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.

07 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook until bread is golden brown and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes.

08 - Flip sandwiches and cook the other side until golden and cheese is fully melted, approximately 3-4 minutes.

09 - Remove from heat, allow to cool for 1-2 minutes, slice in half diagonally, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.

01 -

The pesto adds an incredible depth of flavor that regular grilled cheese simply cannot match
Fresh mozzarella melts into these beautiful pockets of creaminess that perfectly balance the bright tomatoes

02 -

Medium heat might feel too low but going higher will burn the butter before the cheese melts, patience pays off here
A slightly lower temperature and longer cook time yields that perfectly crisp exterior without sacrificing the melting cheese inside

03 -

Use a spatula to press down gently while cooking for better contact with the pan
If your bread is thick, you can tent the pan with foil for the last minute to ensure the cheese melts completely