Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Arugula Pesto– a toasty, melty grilled cheese sandwich with flavorful arugula pesto highlighting ripe and juicy summer tomatoes.
Every now and then, I get a hankering for a really good grilled cheese sandwich. After spending three weeks in Asia without a bite of cheese and very little bread, it was one of the first things I wanted to eat when we got back. It also happens to be tomato season!
This Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich checks all the boxes for me- toasty, melty and full of so much flavor! Best to make this when tomatoes are ripe and at their peak of flavor.
This Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich starts with good bread. A rustic sourdough boule is thickly sliced and layered with fresh mozzarella cheese, summer tomatoes, and a flavorful Arugula Pesto. Lightly browned in a skillet and placed in a hot oven, it comes out golden, toasty and melty.
The Arugula Pesto recipe is one that I use repeatedly for catering because of its flavor and versatility. It contains a little flavor-enhancing secret.
This Arugula Pesto recipe is deliberately a little salty and a little lemony. This is because I often use it to flavor other things as well. When catering, I will mix it with mayo or Veganaise for a flavorful sandwich spread, or toss it with pasta, for a quick meal, use it as a condiment for grilled fish or tofu…..or even season soup with it.
The pesto itself is actually vegan, which makes it very versatile. Because fresh Mozzarella contains little or no salt, I love the addition of this pesto. The secret ingredient in the recipe is smoked almonds. Using smoked almonds instead of pinenuts, gives this a deep, smoky, earthy flavor which I love.
Arugula on its own can have a bitter quality. In this pesto, blend it with fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley.
Begin layering your sandwich. Cheese, toamtoes, pesto.
Lightly brown both sides in a heavy bottom skillet, using a combination of butter and olive oil, then finish in a 375F oven to get it perfectly melty and toasty without having the bread get too dark. Add fresh arugula after it comes out of the oven.
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Arugula Pesto
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Northwest
Description
Grilled Caprese Sandwich with Arugula Pesto- a toasty, melty grilled cheese sandwich with flavorful arugula pesto.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- Good sourdough or rustic bread
- fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- sliced summer tomatoes
- Butter and olive oil for the pan
Arugula Pesto ( makes one cup)
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup smoked Almonds ( or toasted almonds, or pinenuts)
- 1 cup packed Basil leaves( or flat leaf parsley)
- 2 cups packed Arugula
- 1/3 C olive oil, plus 1 T
- 1/8 C fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (if your almonds are salted, use less)
- cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Make Arugula Pesto: Place garlic, almonds, basil and arugula in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse until combined, scraping down sides as necessary. (This recipe is intentionally a little salty and quite lemony if tasted on its own. It’s meant to flavor the sandwich, or could be tossed with pasta, or even mixed with a little mayo (or veganaise) for a flavorful sandwich spread.)
- Layer fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and arugula pesto between two slices of bread. Heat 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil in a heavy bottom oven proof skillet. Lightly crisp and brown each side, then place in the hot oven. Bake until cheese is completely melty, about 10 minutes.
- Add fresh arugula if you like!
Nutrition
- Calories: 550
Delicious! Love the texture of the almond pesto. Grilled it in the panini press for maximum cheese melt effect.
Ooooooo, love that you grilled it!
Thank you for this recipe! One of the best sandwiches I’ve had!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Susan!
This was AMAZING! loved the pesto.
Oh my gaaaaawd! So good! Love the arugula Pesto.
Ooh this looks delicious!! I want it for dinner!
I came across your recipe on the buzz feed, i am recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and always looking for a healthier way to eat…this sandwich has become a stable in my new diet, I make it 2 to 3 times a week to replace the nasty fast food i tend to eat on the go…Thank you for the inspiration I have started to try different sandwich ideas because of this keep doing these amazing recipes and inspiring us all to do better with how we eat…
Made this for dinner tonight. All I can say is DELICIOUS! My husband and I absolutely loved the sandwich. Thank you for sharing the recipe! 🙂
yay!!
Yes, a little indulgence is good for the soul. Enjoy it!!!
Beautiful grilled cheese! Just shared on my Facebook page 🙂
Thanks Maria…I appreciate it!!!
Love the recipe—love your photography even more. Gorgeous!
Thanks Frances
I made this today, I didn’t make my pesto; I don’t have a food processor. However, it came out wonderful thanks so much for sharing!
Your recipe is looks awsme, you give the easiest way to prepare this recipe, from your recipe tips many people gets advantage. Regards, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Hello amazing. Just pinned it too my sandwich night board. I love caprese and arugula.
That melted cheese looks FANTASTIC! Making this soon.
This looks amazing! Using Arugula in place of Basil for pesto is an interesting idea. I’ll have to give it a try.
This looks so gorgeous and delicious for lunch. Love, love, love.
Oh yum, this looks like the best sandwich! I love the idea of the smoked almonds in the pesto too, will have to try this!
This was a seriously delicious sandwich, thanks for the inspiration! Here in Dublin we’re lucky enough to have the most amazing Irish-made buffalo mozzarella (a local farmer imported the herd from Italy a couple of years ago and it’s been a rip-roaring success). Your recipe idea was just what I needed to make the most of good local ingredients !
That cheese sounds really delicious! I’m jealous!
This is the most delicious looking thing I’ve ever seen! You are combining two of my most favourite things. Caprese salad and sandwiches lol. Just found your site and I’m loving it by the way.
Thanks Kristen!
OOPS, I mis-spelled….I mean Kristin 🙂
This looks amazing. It would be a delicious entry in the Grilled Cheese Academy Recipe Showdown. http://GrilledCheeseAcademy.com
can’t wait trying..thanks for sharing…and great pics
I feel the need to go to the store and make this for my lunch today. Looks amazing! I agree with you about not depriving yourself and moderation. I’ve changed my lifestyle too and live by the vegan before dinner motto. I’ve lost weight, gained energy and am feeling pretty awesome these days. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing Annie!