Here is a sandwich that is one of my favorites to make as a slightly more grown up version of a regular grilled cheese sandwich.
This is actually really delicious cold or you can butter the bread for a grilled cheese for something nice and gooey. I like to make this to have with tomato or red pepper soup or just as a quick lunch.
So here is the simple method I use to make this sandwich. I like to do a Parmesan crusted bread- this is a little trick that I learned when I was a waitress in college at a little cafe. It really is worth the extra step because you get this delicious salty, cheesy crust. Yum!
And by the way- this buttered Parmesan bread is super yummy just toasted alone in a toaster oven. I occasionally make this as something decadent to have with scrambled eggs in the morning.
You can use any kind of bread you like here but since Pesto has so much oil, it is best to use a thicker bread and a very light amount of butter. I used a ciabatta for my sandwich.
Also mozzarella would be just as good on this sandwich as Havarti. You can also add sliced tomato or chicken breast to make it more substantial.
- Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
- 2 slices thick bread
- 1 tablespoon pesto sauce
- 1 slice Havarti cheese
- Butter
- Finely grate parmesan cheese (you can use the canned kind in a pinch but it won't taste quite as good)
- Lightly butter both sides of your bread.
- Using a spoon, spread the parmesan cheese on top of the buttered sides and use the back of the spoon to softly press it into the bread.
- Flip the bread over and spread with pesto sauce on one side.
- Add a slice of Havarti cheese and close the sandwich.
- Place on low to medium heat in a nonstick pan.
- Cook until lightly browned and flip to cook evenly on the other side.
- Viola!
The trick to the parmesan crusted bread is to use grated cheese and sort of smoosh it in with the butter. I find shredded Parmesan will stick to the pan and burn. Also, I use low heat to make sure it cooks nicely.
I hope you like it as much as I do!
Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy:
- 5 Minute Blackberry Cobbler
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup
- Bacon, Tomato and Cheese Frittata
- 5 minute jam
- Chai Sugar Cookies
- Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
- Greek Orzo Pasta
- Molten Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mexican Grilled Corn
- Crock Pot Maple and Brown Sugar Steel Cut Oatmeal
Yum! That qualifies as food porn in my book 😉
I think I get more excited about all the yummy recipes you post than you coupon deals. Your recipes never disappoint. Thank you
Sounds super delicious! Do you make your own pesto sauce or is there a pre-made brand that you like?
Jenny thank you so much :). I am certainly not a chef so I feel like people are laughing at me or something when there are no comments on recipe posts. You made my night!
Rayanne,
I don’t make pesto myself. I eat it often enough to get the jars from Costco. They are about $7 and last awhile. Otherwise I have always liked Classico brand which is about $2 at Target. That one is on the saltier side which I like.
I love your recipe posts too!! I love pesto on pizza, but never thought about grilled cheese. I like to put a cheesy crust on the outside of quesadillas, so this is like the perfect combo recipe.
I make this all the time with a fresh mozzerella ball-it’s super good! It’s funny what you mentioned in your post because I do call this my grown-up grilled cheese. 🙂
And I was just thinking that I need to use up the homemade frozen pesto cubes I have in the freezer. Definitely going to try out the parmesan crust. I like to add chopped sun dried tomatoes to mine. Thanks for the post!
Oooh. Looks delicious. Mouth is watering! You suggested eating with tomato soup. Do you have recipe for that?
Thanks for the info, Charlene! I’ll have to look for those.
Cathy I do not but I just pinned this recipe this morning to try
Hey, check out this pin on Pinterest: Tomato Bisque souphttp://pinterest.com/pin/7599893093746171/
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YUM! You had me at “parmesan crusted” then the pesto put it over the top! Thanks for sharing.
This recipe looks and sounds delicious! I want this for lunch.