I certainly have been into the fresh field ripened tomatoes lately! I have been picking up at least a full basket of them every week and most weeks they have disappeared long before the end of the week. Primarily I have been enjoying them in BLT sandwiches but recently I had a new idea and that was for a caprese grilled cheese sandwich. The idea came from a caprese salad which is a nice and simple salad that consists of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil and I figured that it would make an excellent grilled cheese sandwich! I mean you really can’t go wrong wrapping something up in buttery and toasty bread grilled to perfection while at the same time melting the fresh mozzarella into an ooey gooey mess!
For the basil component of this sandwich I decided to go with a basil pesto as I was thinking that a pesto would work better in the sandwich than straight basil leaves and the pesto would also add even more flavour. One thing that you want to make sure that you do is bring everything including the mozzarella up to room temperature to ensure that it melts completely. Another tip for getting the fully melted cheese is to not slice the mozzarella or the tomatoes too thickly and if the worst should happen and the cheese does not completely melt then you could always throw the sandwich into the oven for a few minutes after it has been grilled. Don’t worry if some of the melted mozzarella spills out of the sandwich onto the pan, just let is cook until it turns a nice golden brown; those burn bits of cheese on the side might just be the best part of a grilled cheese sandwich!
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
What better way is there to enjoy perfectly ripe tomatoes other than smothered in melted cheese along with some fresh homemade basil pesto in a sandwich that is grilled to perfection?
ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella, room temperature, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 1 large ripe tomato, room temperature, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- salt and pepper to taste
directions
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Brush the outside of each slice of bread with oil, spread the pesto on the inside, place the mozzarella on the pesto on of one slice of bread, top with the tomato, season with salt and pepper and finally top the other slice of bread pesto side in.
- Add the sandwich and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
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Kevin! Come see what I did to the infamous tomato pie. You have to try this man.
Love the grilled cheese. I still have a ton of tomatoes to use up. I will be sending you an email in a couple days….in case it goes to your spam.
I've been making variations of this, as a panini, for years. Today's lunch, in fact, was with homemade pesto, homegrown tomato, farmer's market basil, fresh moz, and goat cheese. Yum. I've never called them caprese paninis though… only tomato and basil paninis! 🙂
This could so easily turn into dinner tonight for me. I'm hungry!
My kind of sandwich, great site.
My husband loves the burnt cheese bits !
We had something very similar to this today in Buenos Aires 🙂
A sandwich of grilled veggies with cheese that was melted and brown.
This sounds and looks absolutely wonderful. So full of lots of flavor with the pesto and the fresh tomatoes and mozzarella!
aaah! Kevin this sandwich make me hungry!! look delicious" gloria
My favourite lunch, been making this as a panini for ages. However I use fresh basil not pesto which give a much bettr flavour, try it and see which you prefer. PS also I always a pinch of sea salt, it's the law LOL.
An amazing grilled sandwich! Just irresistible.
Cheers,
Rosa
Sounds and looks delicious! I love a good caprese salad and I love grilled cheese, so I can only imagine what a fabulous combination it must be!
That's great!! My mouth is watering!! Have a nice day
This sounds like a delicious grilled cheese sandwich Kevin. Good chocie with the pesto.
I am so excited about this recipe, seriously! This looks absolutely divine. Looking forward to adding this to my menu this week. Thanks!
Hey Kevin,
I have been following your blog for a long time now. Just had a chance to write a comment. Your space is such an inspirational one to mention about. Right from how you style your dishes and the standard white platters to enhance the look of the dishes is great. I also mostly use white platters as a signature plate to present the dishes. Caprese grilled cheese sandwich is sinfully delectable. Easy and healthy too. Thanks for the recipe kevin. Keep up the phenomenal work.
San
http://sanscurryhouse.blogspot.com
I "stumbleuponed" your blog this morning. I never would have thought to add pesto to this sandwich and I'm not sure why, it makes total sense. Sounds so delicious!
Grilled cheese! Wow! Great recipe…and you mentioned your kitchen is closet sized? Can't wait to put you in a bigger kitchen…I'm sure you'll have more fascinating recipes 😉
these look like perfection. All i need is a bowl of warm tomato soup!
Grilled cheese are awesome. A tip to make sure the cheese is for sure melty, put the lid on your pan while you cook it. That will help keep the heat in and make everything delish.
I've presented you with the Versatile Blogger's Award for your work here. Your thoughtfulness and creativity and wit are deserving of recognition! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us!
Visit my 09-28-2011 post to see more about your award.
–Kathryn
http://kiwsparks.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/i-hereby-crown-myself-mistress-of-the-mess-ups-and-guru-of-good-intentions/
I'm drooling!
This looks fantastic. I've been rediscovering grilled cheese sandwiches lately, but I haven't tried this variation.
This looks so delicious! I love tomatoes.
That looks to DIE FOR! OMG! I am your newest follower!
-Evelin
I honestly find myself wishing I was your girlfriend everytime I read your blog! All the nice food you would cook for me 🙂 Don't get me wrong, I am in a very happy relationship but still…
Thanks for your blog, greetings from Germany!
Somehow missed this one earlier in the week — but I still have tomatoes in my garden so I'm guessing this will be lunch tomorrow!
This looks sooooo good! Your pics are so appetizing! can't wait to try!
i have recently stumbled upon your blog and i LOVE IT!!! you inspire me! =) Love the idea of Caprese Grilled Cheese! Thanks so much for your wonderful ideas and creative cooking.
Beautiful grilled cheese Kevin. Linking back to this post later today 🙂
WOW, that just made me really hungry!! Thanks for posting
http://cheesepleasebyjess.blogspot.com/
I made these wonderful sandwiches last night with added sliced chicken and a side cup of lentil soup. Delish! Thank you so much…I just love your recipes!
Definitely Drool worthy.
WOW! I have to make this sandwich. I´ve made gypsy sandwich but definately I have to try this one!.
THANKS FOR SHARING!
Hi from the north of Spain!
Marialuisa
Congrats!
Easy and amazing!
And healthy too! You gave us an idea for a future recipe in our site (www.littlecookingtips.com):)
Thank you~ Now I know what's for dinner after a busy day!
This has become my favorite grilled cheese! I bought a small jar of basil pesto that I keep in the fridge and it works wonderfully (Since I usually don't have time to make it from scratch). The pesto makes the sandwich so flavorful. Thanks for the recipe!
Just made this.. it's love! Absolutely amazing, thank you. I tried the buffalo chicken grilled cheese a few weeks ago, too.. delicious!
Trying this now! Thanks!
This is the most amazing grilled cheese I have ever had! I am now obsessed with it, and have eaten it for lunch 3 days in a row! Everyone MUST try it, you won't be disappointed!!!
Very Italian!
I have made this several times & even my husband who says he doesn't like fresh tomatoes loves it. I change it up a littly by adding thinly sliced red onion, use sourdough bread, and drizzle bread with a balsamic glaze. one of my favorites!!!
Kevin, what kind of bread is used for this? It looks amazingly delicious 🙂
Anonymous: I like to use a sour dough for these caprese grilled cheese sandwiches. I was just thinking about them this morning as I walked home from the farmers market with a basket of ripe field tomatoes! Enjoy!
I'm going to try this on Friday, because my son and I have grilled cheese sandwiches every Friday night before going bowlng. However, in order to save on calories, I use butter spray on the bread. I also make my own bread to cut down on sodium.
I made this for dinner with my fresh garden tomato's and I loved it. My husband is very picky and he loved it.
Thanks for another great idea.
My first time to comment, but I've followed you for a long time now. Anyway, just caught this with eating my lunch today of similar fillings, since I didn't have basil pesto today I sliced a dill gherkin for that little bit of oomph. I always keep a jar of basil pesto, sundried tomato pesto, red and/or green olive pesto, tomato chutney and beetroot chutney in my frig. They're all good toppers to a toasted sandwich (Panini).
My comment is this should be absolutely fantastic compared
to Kraft Packaged cheese and white bread grilled in butter.
Thank you tremendously. Dale Clark and Happy New Year.