Sourdough Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe
A rich and flavorful twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich, combining tangy sourdough bread with creamy fresh mozzarella, vibrant pesto, smoky bacon, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes for the perfect melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Author: Zane
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Sandwich Ingredients
- 8 thick slices sourdough bread
- 3 balls fresh mozzarella (each 125g), sliced thin and dried
- 8 sun-dried tomatoes, dried and chopped
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
- 4 generous tablespoons pesto
- Butter, as required
- Prepare Ingredients: Slice the fresh mozzarella thinly and pat it dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and cooked bacon into small pieces.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Take the sourdough bread slices and spread about 1/2 tablespoon of pesto on one side of each slice. On four slices, layer the thin mozzarella slices evenly, then sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes and bacon on top. Cover with the remaining bread slices, pesto side facing down to close the sandwich.
- Butter the Bread: Evenly spread butter on the outside faces of the sandwiches. This will help achieve a golden, crispy crust when grilled.
- Heat the Pan: Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat to ensure even cooking.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place the sandwiches onto the hot skillet. Grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the mozzarella has melted. Press down gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt evenly.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, let them rest for a minute, then slice in half and serve immediately while warm and gooey.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon or substitute with a plant-based bacon alternative.
- Using day-old sourdough bread helps in achieving a crunchier grilled texture.
- If pesto is not homemade, choose a high-quality store-bought pesto for the best flavor.
- Drying mozzarella slices helps prevent soggy sandwiches.
- Adjust the amount of pesto and sun-dried tomatoes based on taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: sourdough grilled cheese, pesto grilled cheese, mozzarella sandwich, bacon grilled cheese, sun-dried tomato sandwich, Italian sandwich, melted cheese sandwich