Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Fresh basil, ripe tomato, and creamy mozzarella on buttery sourdough bread, toasted until golden and crispy.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices rustic or sourdough bread
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
05 - 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves
06 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Lay out bread slices and evenly spread softened butter on one side of each slice.
02 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface.
03 - Layer mozzarella slices evenly over the bread, followed by tomato slices and basil leaves. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
04 - Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted. Press gently with a spatula for an even, crisp exterior.
07 - Remove from pan, cool for 1 minute, then slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less than twenty minutes from start to finish, which means you can make it even when you're tired and hungry.
  • The combination of creamy mozzarella, sweet tomato, and fragrant basil tastes like summer no matter what season it is.
  • You probably already have most of these ingredients sitting in your kitchen right now.
  • It's one of those rare recipes that feels indulgent but is actually just vegetables, bread, and cheese done right.
02 -
  • If your tomato slices are too thick or too wet, they'll make the bread soggy and prevent the cheese from melting properly, so pat them dry with a paper towel and slice them no thicker than a quarter inch.
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable because high heat will burn the outside before the cheese has a chance to melt, and low heat won't give you that crispy, golden crust.
  • Softening the butter before spreading it makes all the difference because cold butter tears the bread and leaves uneven patches that won't brown.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with your spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact between the bread and the pan for a more even crust.
  • If the cheese isn't melting fast enough, cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of cooking to trap the heat and speed things up without burning the bread.
  • Always taste your tomato before you add it because if it's bland, a pinch of salt will wake it up, but if it's already sweet and flavorful, you won't need much seasoning at all.
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