Spring Pea Pesto Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Vibrant spring grilled cheese featuring bright pea and basil pesto with melty mozzarella on crispy sourdough.

# What you need:

→ Spring Pea Pesto

01 - 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen peas
02 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
03 - 1 small garlic clove
04 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
06 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Sandwiches

11 - 4 slices sourdough bread
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/4 cup spring pea pesto
15 - Optional: baby arugula or spinach leaves

# How to make it:

01 - In a food processor, combine peas, basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mostly smooth with visible texture remaining. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
02 - Spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each bread slice. Place two slices buttered side down on a work surface. Spread 2 tablespoons of pesto on each slice. Top evenly with mozzarella cheese and optional arugula or spinach. Cover with remaining bread slices with buttered side facing up.
03 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
04 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto brings such incredible brightness and freshness that it transforms an ordinary comfort food into something special
  • These sandwiches come together in under 30 minutes but taste like you put way more thought and effort into them
02 -
  • Dont over-process the pesto or it will become too smooth and lose that lovely rustic texture
  • Low and slow is better than high heat which burns the bread before cheese melts
03 -
  • Room temperature butter spreads more easily and evenly without tearing the bread
  • Letting the assembled sandwiches sit for 5 minutes before grilling helps flavors meld
Return