If you love pesto you’ll love these pesto grilled cheese sandwiches. They’re quick, easy, inexpensive and delicious. Great for lunch or dinner – or just a snack.
While you are here be sure to checkout these Chicken Birria Grilled Cheese and this Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese.
There is nothing better than a traditional grilled cheese sandwich; but we had to take these to a whole new level by adding that pesto!
Jump to:
What is pesto?
Pesto is usually a sauce that is made by mixing up crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. It originated in Italy, and is often times served with pasta.
Chicken pesto has become a super popular dish as well.
Gather the ingredients for this recipe:
This recipe has a super quick prep time, and easy to make, and only takes these few ingredients:
- Sliced bread: we used a multigrain bread for this recipe. Other great choices would be fresh Italian bread, or sourdough bread.
- Sliced cheese: a great melting cheese is highly recommended for any delicious grilled cheese sandwich! Muenster, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese are all great options.
- Pesto: you can definitely buy the premade basil pesto in a jar at your local grocery store.
- Butter: unsalted, room temperature butter is best so that you can spread it out on your bread slices
How to make pesto grilled cheese sandwich:
Start by placing your bread out on a clean dry surface, like a cutting board or plate. Then follow these instructions:
- Spread pesto onto one slice of bread.
- Add your sliced cheese directly on top of the pesto.
- Place your other optional additions on top of the slice cheese. Also add your shredded cheese inside the other slice.
- Carefully close the sandwich. Spread butter all over each side of each slice of bread. Place a little bit of the cheddar cheese directly into the skillet or griddle, and put the sandwich right on top of the cheese.
Grill the sandwich on each side for 3-5 minutes. Check periodically to make sure it is not burning. Flip it over and cook on the other side until you have gooey melty cheese!
What kind of cheese goes with pesto?
There are so many delicious cheeses that pair great with pesto. Try different variations like gruyere, white cheddar, parmesan, gouda, and provolone cheese.
Mild to medium flavored cheeses are best because the basil pesto has a very strong flavor.
Related: Try this Tunacado sandwich next!
Additions to your grilled cheese:
One of our absolute favorite additions to add to this pesto grilled cheese is sun dried tomatoes! They add such a delicious punch of flavor to the sandwich.
Some other great additions would be:
- Pepperoni
- Red peppers
- Fresh spinach
- Red onion
- Sautéed garlic and onions
Anything that you can imagine pairing well with cheese, would be a great variation to these sandwiches!
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices Bread multigrain used for this particular recipe
- 2 tablespoons Basil pesto
- 4 slices Cheese muenster, swiss, or mozzarella are delicious
- 2 cups Shredded cheese cheddar or Colby jack (to add directly inside sandwiches)
- 1 cup Shredded cheese (to add on outside of sandwiches)
- 3 tablespoons Butter unsalted room temperature
- ¼ cup Sun dried tomatoes (optional but highly recommended)!
Instructions
- Place the four slices of bread out on a clean dry surface. Spread one tablespoon of the basil pesto onto a piece of the bread for one sandwich.
- Place two slices of cheese directly on top of the pesto. Now add the shredded cheddar cheese to the other slice of bread.
- Add the sun dried tomatoes directly on top of the cheese if you are using them.
- Pick up both pieces of the bread and gently put them together so the cheeses and pesto are on the inside of the sandwich.
- Spread the butter all over the outside piece of bread, be sure to cover the entire slice.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, add ¼ cup of the shredded cheese directly into the skillet, in a pile that is about the size of your bread.
- Gently place the buttered side of the bread directly into the pile of cheese. While it is cooking, butter the side of the bread that is facing up, and sprinkle another ¼ cup of cheese directly onto the butter.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until it is golden brown, then flip it over and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and serve immediately.
- Follow these steps to build and grill the other sandwich.
Video
Carissa Renard says
While this tasted great, unfortunately it turned out to be an absolute grease trap.
The pesto adds a lot of oil to the sandwich and if you’re making these ahead of time to freeze, when you reheat them even in the oven they lose that nice crust they have.
Tamara J. says
Hi Carissa! I never imagined making them ahead of time to freeze, that's a great idea! When I make these they don't turn out very greasy. Could it be the sun dried tomatoes or the kind of pesto you used?
Jazz says
Listen. I've never liked pesto from the jar but decided to give it a try in this recipe because I had some on hand. This is such a great use! Delicious, easy, and I'll be making it again.
Taneisha says
Seriously, SO good. Grill cheese is great on its own and pesto is great on its on so naturally this would be a great combo,but I never thought about combining the two and boy was it magical! LOVE this recipe, so easy and so delish!
Jessica says
I've been making pesto like crazy this summer and I never thought to add it to grilled cheese. I added a few fresh slices of tomato since I had a bunch on hand and it was INCREDIBLE. I can't wait to make this again and dip it in tomato soup!
Tamara J. says
Thank you. It has easily become one of our favorites!
Kaluhi says
Quick, simple and the flavors are so so amazing!!! It made for a perfect lunch and I will be making it on the regular!
Robin says
I'm a sucker for anything with pesto and this sandwich was a definite game changer - perfect with a cup of soup.
Camille says
Made this over the weekend and it was hit. I have a picky eater and she was asking for the other half of the sandwich. It was delis and so easy to whip up. Thanks Tamara!! xx
Tamara J. says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Marta says
My daughter is a grilled cheese afficionado and feel in love with this pesto grilled cheese. I'll definitely be making this more often for her in the future.
Lilly says
The pesto and sundried tomatoes definitely take this grilled cheese up a notch! I made this for lunch today and I loved it!! This will be my new favorite go-to! Thanks for the recipe 🙂