Pesto Caprese Grilled Cheese

This pesto caprese grilled cheese is an Italian twist on the traditional grilled cheese sandwich.

Did you know that April is national grilled cheese month? As a food blogger, I’ve got to get better at keeping up with obscure food holidays. 🙂 They give me an excuse to make yummy food! So I am squeaking in the tail end of April with this: pesto caprese grilled cheese!

I love traditional grilled cheese. Not a thing wrong with it! But I love coming up with new twists on traditional recipes.

In place of American cheese I use some sliced mozzarella for this sandwich. Instead of butter on the outside of the bread, I brushed on a little olive oil to help toast up the bread.

Oh and pesto! How I love pesto sauce! You can use store bought it you want to, but might I recommend my lightened up pesto recipe. It is perfection on this sandwich!

It’s no secret that I love tomatoes and basil together. Ahem…two recipes in a row!  (<- Caprese orzo salad) Eeeek! I can’t help myself. It’s just too good.

Tools Used to Make This Recipe

Note: These are affiliate links.

• I used a grill pan, which gives the pretty lines. You could also use a non stick skillet.
• Pancake turner/ flipper
• Pastry brush to brush the olive oil on the bread

Pesto Caprese Grilled Cheese Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Pesto Caprese Grilled Cheese

This pesto caprese grilled cheese is an Italian twist on a classic grilled cheese.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword pesto caprese grilled chese, pesto grilled cheese

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 8 minutes

Servings 1 serving

Calories 263 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain bread of your choice
• 1 to 2 tablespoons basil pesto sauce (enough to coat one slice of the bread. I am using my own lightened up pesto sauce)
• 2 to 3 slices thin tomato
• 1 slice mozzarella cheese deli style
• 1 teaspoons to 2 olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the grill pan on the stovetop, and preheat over medium heat.
2. Spread pesto sauce on one slice of the bread.
3. Add tomato slice next. I like to salt and pepper my tomatoes.
4. Add a slice of deli style mozzarella cheese, and top with the second piece of bread.
5. Brush on some olive oil on the top piece of bread, and place it (olive oil side down) on the preheated grill pan.
6. Brush olive oil on the other side (that is now facing up).
7. Cook the first side until toasty, about 2 to 3 minutes.
8. Flip the sandwich over carefully, using the pancake flipper, and cook the other side. (Note: the 2nd side will cook much quicker! Careful not to burn it.)
9. Serve immediately

Recipe Notes

Nutrition will vary based on what type of bread, cheese and pesto sauce is used.
Tip: You can lighten it up by using part skim mozzarella, light whole grain bread and my lightened up pesto sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Pesto Caprese Grilled Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 263 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 23mg8%

Sodium 412mg18%

Potassium 138mg4%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 13g26%

Vitamin A 205IU4%

Calcium 211mg21%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! It is SO good, even if I do say so myself. Pin and share!