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Pesto Grilled Cheese

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.

Every once in a while I just need a good grilled cheese. One where the bread is crunchy and buttery and the cheese just oozes out as soon as you slice it. Simple, Grilled Cheese perfection.

That is exactly what this Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich is.

There are a few things that helped make this Pesto Grilled Cheese one of my favorite things.

First, I made my own pesto. SUPER easy guys. Basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, crushed red pepper and olive oil. In a food processor and BAM pesto. If you don’t have the time, store-bought pesto would be fine.

Next comes the mozzarella. For this recipe, I wanted to use fresh mozzarella. It’s the stuff you find in the deli either vacuum packed or in a container of water. If it’s in water just pat it dry. Trust me, you really want to use this stuff. It’s creamier and has so much more flavor than the other stuff.

Finally, I couldn’t just have buttered bread for this grilled cheese. No. I needed to do something a little different so I shredded some fresh Parmesan cheese and pressed the buttered bread into it. That way when it grilled up, the outside was like this buttery, Parmesan crisp.

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.

So lets run through this again, we’ve got the fresh pesto. The creamy, gooey melted mozzarella. The crunchy buttery bread. And the crisp, golden brown Parmesan.

Yeah. There’s no denying it. This Pesto Grilled Cheese is kind of amazeballs.

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.

Dip it in some tomato basil soup and you’ll have pure, unadulterated Pesto Grilled Cheese heaven.

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.

Pesto Grilled Cheese

Pesto Grilled Cheese. Pesto and Mozzarella sandwiched between Parmesan crusted bread and then grilled to perfection.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Pesto Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Ingredients:

  • 8 slices crusty bread such as Como
  • 2 - 3 tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 cup freshly shredded parmesan
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
  • Pesto homemade or store-bought

Pesto Ingredients:

  • 2 cups packed fresh basil
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • pinch crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the pesto first by combining basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan and crushed red pepper in a food processor. Pulse until basil is minced fine. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until emulsified. Set aside until ready to use.
  • To make a sandwich: Spread softened butter on one side of two slices of bread. Turn slices over and spread a generous amount of pesto on the other side. Place two slices of cheese on one slice of bread and top with the other slice, butter side out. Repeat with remaining ingredients until 4 sandwiches are made.
  • Place the shredded parmesan cheese on a plate. Press the the sandwiches, on both sides, into the Parmesan. Place the sandwiches in a pan. Cook over medium heat until the outside is golden and the cheese has melted. About 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cut in half and serve.

Notes

Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: grilled cheese, mozzarella, pesto

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Momos Recipe
    October 2, 2022 at 10:56 pm

    Awesome recipe! That looks so simple and so yummy!

  • Reply
    mobasir hassan
    September 23, 2020 at 5:37 am

    5 stars
    Pesto is one of the best sauce that is so healthy and i am a big fan of it. Perhaps my whole family love it. My kids really enjoyed those yummy cheese bites. Thanks and looking for more in future too.

  • Reply
    Sarah Watkins
    March 31, 2019 at 8:28 am

    So so so yummie..I’ll make it as soon as I can!!!!!

  • Reply
    Sudie
    May 27, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    Sounds delicious! I have all of the ingredients so I will make it tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this recipe! ~♡~

    • Reply
      Deseree
      May 28, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      You are welcome! I hope you enjoy it!

  • Reply
    Richa Gupta
    March 23, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    Wow this looks incredibly yummy & cheesy!

  • Reply
    ashley
    March 23, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    This looks absolutely delicious!

  • Reply
    Megan | MegUnprocessed
    March 22, 2018 at 4:42 pm

    I love that you added pesto on it!

  • Reply
    Shinee
    March 21, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    So simple, yet so delicious! I love the pesto addition!

  • Reply
    Jersey Girl Cooks
    March 21, 2018 at 7:05 am

    5 stars
    This really does look like a great grilled cheese sandwich. No more regular boring one for me!

  • Reply
    Lou FA
    November 1, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    I made this today and added thin slices of a fresh tomato to the filling. For extra kick, I swiped a bit of chipotle mayo to the inside of the sandwich and then proceeded with your recipe. Every bite sent me back to Italy. I think I’m in heaven now.

  • Reply
    Karen Powell
    June 18, 2016 at 6:09 am

    I made this last night ..and WOW! The best thing I have ever made. Pressing the bread into the Parmesan cheese is BRILLIANT! I used my own pesto I had already made. This is a new weekly (or maybe daily) favorite!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      June 19, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      Yay!! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this Karen! It is one of our favorites too and I’m sure (if my basil does well in my garden this year) it’ll be on our weekly menu this summer too!

  • Reply
    Jessica @ Sprinkle Some Sugar
    September 17, 2015 at 8:53 pm

    This looks SO ridiculously good. I’m in love with those crispy edges!

  • Reply
    Jessiker Bakes
    September 17, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    YUM! Going to go make this now!

  • Reply
    Erin @ Texanerin Baking
    September 17, 2015 at 10:48 am

    This looks insanely delicious. Like dangerously delicious. Like I’d make one for my husband, eat his before he knew what I was even making, and then feel just a little guilty. And I’m all for homemade pesto! So easy and way better than storebought.

  • Reply
    TheSurprisedGourmet
    September 17, 2015 at 9:53 am

    Now that’s what I call a grilled cheese sandwich with a fun twist. Looks yummy.

  • Reply
    Susan S. Bradley
    September 16, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    LOVE the parmesan crisp coating.What a great idea! Can’t wait to try this grilled cheese.

  • Reply
    The Chunky Chef .
    September 16, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    What a yummy Italian twist on grilled cheese!!

  • Reply
    Krista
    September 16, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    This is just has me drooling… oozing cheese and fresh basil pesto! LOVE this! All I need now is a bowl of tomato soup!

  • Reply
    Heather @FrenchPress
    September 16, 2015 at 8:55 am

    oh YES! It is hard to pass up grilled cheese, and that pesto YUM

  • Reply
    Florian @ContentednessCooking
    September 16, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Pesto is always a winner! This looks amazing. I posted a kale pesto recipe today as well.

  • Reply
    Jessica_AKitchenAddiction
    September 16, 2015 at 7:27 am

    Love the addition of pesto to grilled cheese!

  • Reply
    Food Done Light
    September 16, 2015 at 6:23 am

    I should be able to get one last batch of basil from our garden to make pesto. Love the idea of adding it to grilled cheese.

  • Reply
    Cristina @ Teenie Cakes
    September 16, 2015 at 6:16 am

    I can never get my bread to look like that on a grilled cheese. I’m going to try crusting it with the Parmesan as you’ve shared here. Luv this pesto grilled cheese you’ve shared and that bread caramelization is perfection! I could hold to summer too, just a little longer if for only the produce alone. ;)

  • Reply
    Lauren @ Hall Nesting
    September 16, 2015 at 6:03 am

    I am so ready for fall but not ready to let go of all the summer produce! You had me at grilled cheese and there is nothing better than homemade pesto!

  • Reply
    Kristen (amindfullmom)
    September 16, 2015 at 5:24 am

    The first time I had this sandwich was when my mom came to help me after having my first son. She had made her own pesto and put it on everything. I fell in love and eat it all the time now!

  • Reply
    Judy @ I'm Bored, Let's Go
    September 16, 2015 at 5:07 am

    Now this is a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich!!!

  • Reply
    marye audet
    September 16, 2015 at 4:43 am

    I am loving this sandwich, I wish I was going to be home today so I could make one for lunch!

  • Reply
    Arman @ thebigmansworld
    September 16, 2015 at 4:26 am

    Pesto + cheese = amazing. Grilled in a sandwich? Even better.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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