Zesty Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

Melted cheese and crispy bacon create a mouthwatering symphony that speaks to comfort food lovers craving sun-dried tomato bacon pesto grilled cheese.

Layers of golden, buttery bread cradle rich, tangy pesto and smoky bacon strips.

Sharp cheeses meld with the intense sun-dried tomato flavors, creating a sandwich that elevates lunch from ordinary to extraordinary.

Crisp edges promise a satisfying crunch with every bite.

Aromatic herbs and salty bacon dance together, promising a gourmet experience in just minutes.

This grilled cheese transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will make you swoon.

One taste, and you’ll be hooked on this irresistible sandwich sensation.

How To Make Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Butter Up Your Bread Grab your favorite bread and give each slice a loving coat of butter. For an irresistible golden crunch, dab a layer of mayonnaise on top of the butter.
• Spread the Green Magic Flip those slices over and lavish them with a generous swirl of pesto, making sure every corner gets some love.
• Layer Your Flavor Dream Start building your sandwich masterpiece by placing crispy bacon strips on one slice of bread. Sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy punch that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Cheese Please Add a generous handful of your favorite melting cheese – think sharp cheddar or creamy mozzarella – covering the bacon and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Grill to Golden Perfection Heat a skillet over medium heat and gently place your loaded sandwich in the pan. Press down lightly with a spatula and cook until the bread turns a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese melts into gooey happiness.
• Slice and Serve Cut your grilled cheese diagonally and watch the cheese stretch dramatically. Serve immediately while it's hot and the cheese is at its melty best.

Simple Tips For Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Crispy Bacon Magic: Cook bacon until extra crispy to add a delightful crunch and intense flavor to your grilled cheese.
• Pesto Power Boost: Use homemade or store-bought pesto, but choose a high-quality version with fresh basil for maximum taste impact.
• Cheese Melt Perfection: Let cheese come to room temperature before grilling to ensure smooth, even melting throughout the sandwich.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular bread with gluten-free bread for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace bacon with grilled portobello mushrooms or smoky tempeh strips to create a meat-free version that still delivers rich, savory notes.

Ways To Serve Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Bread Pairing Paradise: Crusty sourdough or rustic Italian bread elevate this grilled cheese, adding delightful texture and complementing the rich pesto flavors.
• Dipping Delights: Serve alongside a warm tomato soup or marinara sauce for a comforting meal that lets the sandwich's complex flavors shine.
• Side Sensation: Pair with a crisp arugula salad dressed in light lemon vinaigrette to balance the sandwich's hearty and intense taste profile.
• Wine and Dine: Complement the sandwich with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of bacon and cheese.

Store Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe Easily

• Smart Refrigeration Technique: Store leftover pesto grilled cheese wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Optimal Shelf Life: Refrigerate completed sandwiches for up to 2-3 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety standards.
• Quick Reheating Method: Warm stored sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side, restoring crispy exterior and melted cheese texture.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Keep sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, and pesto in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator, allowing flexible sandwich assembly within 5-7 days of preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 5

All You Need For Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Sourdough Bread: Hearty base that provides a crispy exterior and tangy undertone, perfect for holding rich fillings.
• Butter: Creates a golden, crispy crust with rich, savory flavor that elevates the sandwich's texture.
• Mayonnaise: Adds extra browning and crispiness to the bread's surface for a delectable finish.
• Pesto: Infuses the sandwich with vibrant basil, garlic, and nutty notes that complement the other ingredients.

• Bacon: Delivers smoky, salty crunch that adds depth and richness to the grilled cheese.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrate sweet-tangy tomato flavor with chewy texture that intensifies the sandwich's complexity.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides creamy, stretchy texture with mild flavor that melts beautifully.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty punch and enhances the overall umami profile of the sandwich.

Tools That Help With Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Large skillet or griddle: Perfect for grilling the sandwich to golden, crispy perfection.
• Spatula: Essential for flipping the sandwich and checking its golden-brown color.
• Butter knife or spreader: Helps apply butter and pesto evenly on bread slices.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients and assembling the sandwich.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting sun-dried tomatoes and potentially slicing the finished sandwich.

Crispy Sun-Dried Tomato Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Gourmet sun-dried tomato bacon pesto grilled cheese elevates classic comfort food with bold Mediterranean flavors. Melted cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy pesto create an irresistible sandwich you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) shredded provolone or cheddar cheese
• 8 slices of cooked crispy bacon
• ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
• ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 8 slices of thick-cut bread (sourdough, Italian, or ciabatta)
• 4 tbsps butter (softened)
• 2 tbsps mayonnaise (optional for extra crispiness)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lavishly coat bread slices’ exterior with butter, ensuring complete and even coverage for a perfectly crisp golden finish.
2. Flavor Foundation: Spread a vibrant, aromatic pesto across the interior of each bread slice, creating a herbaceous base that enhances the sandwich’s overall taste profile.
3. Protein and Texture Layer: Distribute crumbled bacon evenly over the pesto, followed by strategically placed sun-dried tomato pieces to introduce a tangy, concentrated flavor that complements the smoky meat.
4. Cheese Integration: Carefully layer cheese to completely cover the bacon and tomato, maximizing melting potential and creating a cohesive flavor experience.
5. Grilling Technique: Transfer the assembled sandwich to a preheated medium-low skillet, placing the buttered side down and cooking methodically to achieve an even, rich golden-brown exterior while allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly.
6. Finishing Touch: Intermittently press the sandwich with a spatula to encourage uniform browning, flipping once the first side reaches a deep amber color and continuing until both sides display a perfect golden crispness and the cheese melts completely.
7. Resting and Serving: Allow the grilled cheese to rest briefly, enabling ingredients to settle and cheese to stabilize before slicing and presenting the perfectly crafted sandwich.

Notes

• Butter Precision: Apply butter edge-to-edge on bread for guaranteed crispy, even golden-brown exterior without dry spots.
• Pesto Distribution: Spread pesto generously but thinly to prevent sogginess and maintain balanced flavor profile across sandwich.
• Heat Management: Maintain medium-low temperature to ensure slow, thorough cheese melting without burning bread surface or creating raw interior.
• Cheese Selection: Choose semi-soft cheeses like provolone or mild cheddar that melt smoothly and complement pesto’s herbal notes without overpowering other ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg