Best Pesto Grilled Cheese

This Best Pesto Grilled Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, featuring gooey mozzarella, fragrant basil pesto, crispy bacon, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. It is a sophisticated twist on a classic sandwich that brings gourmet flavors to your kitchen in just minutes. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or a decadent snack, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You will love this recipe because it is incredibly quick and easy to assemble, making it perfect for a busy afternoon or a cozy evening meal. It is a fantastic way to use up leftover ingredients in your fridge, such as that half-opened jar of pesto or a few slices of bacon from breakfast. The combination of salty bacon, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella creates a flavor profile that is truly unmatched in the world of toasted sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 8 small but thick slices of Sourdough Bread
• 3 balls (4.5oz/125g each) of Fresh Mozzarella, thinly sliced and patted dry
• 8 Sun-Dried Tomatoes, patted dry and diced
• 4 slices of Bacon, cooked and diced
• 4 heaped tablespoons of Pesto
• Butter, as needed for spreading

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place two to four slices of sourdough bread into a large frying pan with the heat turned off.
2. Spread the top side of the bread with butter, then flip them over so the buttered side is facing down against the pan.
3. Layer 3 to 4 thin slices of mozzarella onto the bread slices.
4. Spread 1 heaped tablespoon of pesto over the mozzarella, then top with the diced sun-dried tomatoes and crispy bacon bits.
5. Add another layer of mozzarella slices on top of the fillings to help the sandwich stay together, then finish with the second slice of bread.
6. Press down firmly with your hands or a spatula to contain the filling, then spread the top of the bread with a layer of butter.
7. Turn the heat to medium and fry both sides until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted through the center.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To achieve the best results for your Best Pesto Grilled Cheese, ensure you pat your mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes dry with paper towels before assembly. This prevents excess moisture from leaking into the bread and making it soggy. If your pesto is particularly oily, pass it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the excess oil before spreading. Always layer the pesto between slices of cheese rather than directly against the bread; this creates a barrier that keeps the exterior of the sandwich perfectly crispy.

While fresh mozzarella is highly recommended for its superior melt and delicate flavor, you can substitute it with shredded mozzarella if that is what you have available. For a vegetarian version of this sandwich, simply omit the bacon. If you prefer a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red chili flakes to the pesto layer. You can also experiment with different types of bread, though a sturdy sourdough or a thick ciabatta is ideal for holding these hearty fillings.

Serving Suggestions

This Best Pesto Grilled Cheese pairs beautifully with roast chicken flavored chips, which complement the salty bacon and herbal pesto. For a more balanced meal, serve it alongside roasted sweet potato wedges or a classic bowl of creamy tomato soup. The acidity of the tomato soup acts as the perfect dip for the rich pesto and melted cheese.

This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh off the pan to maintain the contrast between the crispy bread and melted cheese. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, use a dry frying pan over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally until the bread is recrisped and the cheese is warm. Freezing is not recommended, as the fresh mozzarella can release too much moisture upon thawing, leading to a soggy texture.

Nutrition Information

Best Pesto Grilled Cheese

The ultimate comfort food, featuring gooey mozzarella, fragrant basil pesto, crispy bacon, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. It is a sophisticated twist on a classic sandwich that brings gourmet flavors to your kitchen in just minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 637

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 slices Sourdough Bread small but thick
• 3 balls Fresh Mozzarella 4.5oz/125g each, thinly sliced and patted dry
• 8 Sun-Dried Tomatoes patted dry and diced
• 4 slices Bacon cooked and diced
• 4 heaped tablespoons Pesto
• Butter as needed for spreading

Equipment

• Large Frying Pan
• Spatula
• Paper Towels

Method

 

1. Place two to four slices of sourdough bread into a large frying pan with the heat turned off.
   8 slices Sourdough Bread
2. Spread the top side of the bread with butter, then flip them over so the buttered side is facing down against the pan.
   Butter
3. Layer 3 to 4 thin slices of mozzarella onto the bread slices.
   3 balls Fresh Mozzarella
4. Spread 1 heaped tablespoon of pesto over the mozzarella, then top with the diced sun-dried tomatoes and crispy bacon bits.
   4 heaped tablespoons Pesto, 8 Sun-Dried Tomatoes, 4 slices Bacon
5. Add another layer of mozzarella slices on top of the fillings to help the sandwich stay together, then finish with the second slice of bread.
   3 balls Fresh Mozzarella, 8 slices Sourdough Bread
6. Press down firmly with your hands or a spatula to contain the filling, then spread the top of the bread with a layer of butter.
   Butter
7. Turn the heat to medium and fry both sides until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted through the center.

Notes

Ensure you pat your mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes dry with paper towels before assembly to prevent sogginess. Always layer the pesto between slices of cheese rather than directly against the bread to keep the exterior crispy.

FAQ