Pesto and Cheese Sandwich Recipe - 2 Ways

Grilled, toasted, or warmed in the microwave, this is the most delicious pesto and cheese sandwich recipe. Once you try this quick cheddar pesto sandwich you will be making it on repeat. Don't be surprised if friends and family beg you for the recipe.

You can easily whip up this sandwich in under 30 minutes. A cheddar pesto sandwich is great any time of year, but especially during the hot summer months when you're craving something fresh and light.

Bring a platter of pesto and cheese sandwiches for a crowd-pleasing game day meal, for a casual get-together by the pool, or for a light family weeknight dinner. Whatever the occasion, you can't go wrong with the most delicious pesto and cheese sandwich recipe.

For those of us who love cheese in all its glory, a pesto and cheddar sandwich is one of the best flavor combinations. While mozzarella and pesto is more common, and closer to authentic Italian, we typically have cheddar on hand.

One random Tuesday I was trying to decide what I could quickly make for lunch. I grabbed a few things from the refrigerator to make some sort of sandwich. Warm, gooey, cheesy goodness came together with savory pesto, lettuce and tomato to create this absolutely delicious (and a bit messy) pesto and cheese sandwich.

For the ultimate easy weeknight meal, serve pesto and cheese sandwiches with a hearty quinoa salad, roasted zucchini and squash, or perfectly golden homemade French fries.

Ingredients

This pesto and cheddar cheese sandwich recipe calls for just a handful of fairly simple ingredients. You may have most of the ingredients on hand, except for pesto. Don't skip topping the sandwich with lettuce and tomato, because the toppings are part of what makes it so delicious. You also get the added benefits of fresh vegetables.

• Bread, 2-8 slices, sourdough or similar, fresh - Sourdough, ciabatta, Italian, or French bread will all work well for this recipe. I recommend using fresh bread to make this particular sandwich.
• Cheddar, sliced - It is completely up to your preference how much cheese to use. Keep in mind that cheese is fairly salty and your pesto may be as well, so go lighter on the cheese to start. You can always add more if you want. I purchase 8 ounce blocks of raw grassmilk cheddar cheese and slice it thin enough for sandwiches, at less than ¼ inch thick. 
• Pesto - Find a jarred pesto without parmesan or make your own pesto. I only use Seggiano Fresh Basil Pesto, which I think has the best flavor, does not contain any cheese, and is made in Italy. 
• Lettuce, Butter, hand torn - If you can, use Butter lettuce - also known as Boston lettuce or Bibb lettuce - for this recipe. It is a delicate tasting lettuce that softens nicely when heated. It also won't detract from other flavors in the sandwich.
• Fresh tomatoes, sliced - You will need 2 slices of a medium to large tomato, such as Beefsteak or Hothouse, per sandwich. I usually slice the tomatoes about ¼ inch thick, but you can slice them thinner if you prefer.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar on the inside of the sandwich to add a sweet smoky flavor
• Use mozzarella instead of cheddar for a more authentic Italian sandwich
• Substitute Romaine or Iceberg lettuce if you don't have Butter lettuce

Instructions

There are several ways to make this sandwich. I am providing two ways you can prepare this sandwich, since sometimes I want it grilled in a pan on the stove and sometimes I feel like microwaving it. I highly recommend trying it both ways to see which you prefer.

First Method: Pesto and Cheese Sandwich Microwaved Directions

1. Slice the fresh bread into appropriately sized sandwich slices; about ¼ to ½ inch thick. Spread the pesto on one slice of the bread per sandwich.

2. Arrange 3-5 slices of cheddar cheese in a single layer on top of the pesto. I slice the cheese fairly thin at no more than ¼ inch thick, but you can cut them thicker if you prefer.

3. Arrange the tomato slice(s) on top of the lettuce.

4. Place the lettuce on top of the cheese.

5. Place the other slice of bread on top of the sandwich. Microwave the assembled sandwich until the cheese just barely begins to melt. For our 1000 watt microwave I set the time to 40 seconds.

6. Remove from the microwave and allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying. Caution as cheese and other ingredients may be very hot.

Second Method: Grilled Pesto and Cheese Sandwich Directions

1. Slice the fresh bread into appropriately sized sandwich slices; about ¼ to ½ inch thick.

2. Spread butter on one side of all slices of bread. The butter will grill up nicely and keep the bread from sticking to the pan.

3. Turn the slices of bread over and, on only one slice of bread per sandwich, spread the pesto so it covers the bread. Note: You can put pesto on both slices of one sandwich, but I find it to be overly salty, especially combined with the cheese which tends to have quite a bit of sodium on its own.

4. Arrange 3-5 slices of cheddar cheese in a single layer on top of the pesto. I slice the cheese fairly thin at no more than ¼ inch thick, but you can cut them thicker if you prefer.

5. Arrange the tomato slice(s) on top of the lettuce.

6. Place the lettuce on top of the tomatoes.

7. With the butter side up, place the other slice of bread on top of the sandwich. Add olive oil to a frying pan and turn the heat to medium/low. Once the oil has warmed up, place the sandwich butter side down in the pan.

8. After a few minutes, use a turner spatula to check the underside. You want a nice golden brown. Flip the sandwich when it's golden brown. Check this side more frequently, as it will brown faster.

9. Once it's browned, plate the sandwich and allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying. Caution as cheese and other ingredients may be very hot.

Serving Suggestions

Savory and filling, this delicious pesto and cheese sandwich can stand on its own as the whole meal. Prepare a crowd-pleasing platter for a get-together or make this sandwich as a quick weeknight meal.

• Entree - Crunched for time during a busy week? You easily make pesto and cheese sandwiches the whole family will love in about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with a side of chips, roasted veggies, quinoa salad, or perfectly golden home fries.
• Appetizer - Make mini pesto cheddar sandwiches for your next pool party.
• Snack - Balanced with carbs, protein, and veggies, use small slices of bread to make a quick sandwich snack on a busy day.