Pesto grilled cheese sandwichesare a super fun and delicious way to simply dress up the classic handheld lunch staple with tried-and-true flavors that taste heavenly together.

My son made this sandwich for us the other day, and we fell in love!Such a smart idea on his part (and I have to admit, a proud mama moment for me). He asked me if his sandwich was good enough to make it on the blog, and I told him one-hundred-percent YES. So, here it is! Introducing:Henry’s grilled cheese and pesto sandwich recipe, made complete with a fresh garden tomato.

The tomato is optional, and I like it both ways because pesto plus cheese is a pretty darn delicious combination on its own.But the fresh garden tomato *does* add something magical, so I recommend trying it!You can also add a bit of shredded chicken or deli turkey for a little protein, and pair it with your favoritetomato soupfor a meal that warms you all the way through.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Gourmet Twist: One of your favorite comfort foods with a super easy gourmet addition.
Impressive Yet Simple: Despite being easy to make, this sandwich looks and tastes impressive.
Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be made quickly, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a quick lunch.

Ingredients

Good Sandwich Bread
Butter
Pesto
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomato: optional

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Popular Substitutions and Variations

You could substitute Monterey Jack or Provolone cheese.
Instead of fresh tomato, sun-dried tomato would be a classic pairing with the pesto.
Bacon or ham on a grilled cheese is always a win.

How to Make Pesto Grilled Cheese

Step #1.Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Spread pesto on the opposite side of two of the slices.

Step #3.Cook until the side touching the pan is golden and toasted, then flip the sandwich over.

Step #2.Place the two slices with pesto butter side down in the skillet. Add the tomato, if using. Sprinkle half of the cheese on each, then place the remaining slice of bread, butter side up, on top.

Step #4.Continue cooking until the other side is golden and toasted and the cheese is all melted. Remove from pan and serve hot.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best cheese for making grilled cheese?

You can use ANY cheese you love on grilled cheese — that’s the beauty of this sandwich! Cheddar, Colby jack, and provolone are all super contenders. But because pesto is pretty strong in flavor, I’d say use a milder cheese for this sandwich, like mozzarella.

What goes well with grilled cheese?

The reason pesto pairs so nicely in grilled cheese is because, between bread, butter, and melted cheese, it can be a fairly heavy and rich sandwich. The bright, fresh flavors of pesto lighten up the sandwich and complement it nicely. Tomato soup also pairs well because it brings some acidic tang to an otherwise heavy sandwich. Anything light, bright, or tomato-y will go nicely with grilled cheese!

What is pesto made of?

I make an easy pesto using basil, salt, pepper, garlic, pecans, olive oil, a little avocado oil, and grated parmesan (optional). Traditional recipes call for pine nuts, but you can really use any nuts you like and have around!

Is pesto sauce healthy?

Absolutely! It has nuts, garlic, and fresh basil, plus healthy fat from the olive oil. It’s packed full of fresh goodness and goes well with so many meals (especially sandwiches, pastas, and marinades for chicken and fish).

Expert Tips

Don’t overdo the pesto!It might be tempting to really slather it on there but it’s so flavorful that you don’t need a lot.
If your grilled cheese tend to burn, turn the heat down and cook them more slowly.You might have to wait longer, but it will be worth it.
If your outside is perfectly toasted but the cheese isn’t melted in the middle,put a lid on the pan for a minute or two.You can even do this on a grill pan or griddle. And if you’re cooking a lot of sandwiches at once, use a cookie sheet as a giant lid on top of them – just use a hot pad when removing it because it WILL get hot.