Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese
A crispy grilled cheese sandwich elevated with smoky bacon, creamy pesto, and gooey mozzarella for a quick and indulgent lunch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 slices of sourdough or ciabatta bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 strips of cooked crispy bacon
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
- Optional: tomato slices, spinach, or a sprinkle of parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- On the unbuttered side of one slice, spread a generous layer of pesto. Add mozzarella cheese, followed by the cooked bacon. Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat for a minute.
- Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip carefully to avoid spilling the filling.
- Check for doneness: the bread should be golden brown and the mozzarella fully melted.
- Slice the sandwich in half and serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey.
Notes
Cook bacon until crispy but not overly crunchy, and use fresh mozzarella for the best cheese pull. Lower heat if bread browns too quickly before cheese melts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450500
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 3035
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
Keywords: grilled cheese, bacon pesto sandwich, quick lunch, easy recipe, cheesy sandwich