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A smartphone photo of a golden-brown Pesto Grilled Cheese sandwich with visible pine nut fragments in the pesto.

Pesto Grilled Cheese: The Ultimate Gourmet Sourdough Melt

This Pesto Grilled Cheese features thick artisan sourdough, vibrant emerald-green basil pesto, succulent red tomatoes, and overflowing melted mozzarella. Seasoned with oregano and black pepper, it is the perfect 15-minute gourmet lunch for home cooks.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sandwich Components
  • 2 slices Artisan Sourdough Bread Thick-cut, approx 1 inch
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Basil Pesto Vibrant emerald green with pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup (56g) Mozzarella Cheese Shredded or sliced white mozzarella
  • 2 slices Red Tomato Succulent and thick-cut
  • 2 tbsp (28g) Salted Butter Room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper Freshly cracked

Equipment

  • 1 Non-stick Skillet Or cast iron pan
  • 1 Serrated Knife For the perfect diagonal slice

Method
 

Preparation and Grilling
  1. Butter one side of each sourdough slice. Flip and spread the other side with vibrant basil pesto.
  2. Layer half the mozzarella, the tomato slices, seasonings (oregano/pepper), and the remaining cheese onto one slice of bread. Close with the second slice.
  3. Grill in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is deep golden-brown and cheese is stringy and overflowing.
  4. Remove from heat, rest for 60 seconds, and slice diagonally to serve.

Notes

Pat tomatoes dry with a paper towel to prevent sogginess.
Use a lid while cooking if you need the cheese to melt faster without over-browning the bread.