Caprese Salad Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden sourdough with melted mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and tangy balsamic glaze.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or Italian bread
02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
05 - 8–10 fresh basil leaves

→ Condiments & Garnish

06 - 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
02 - Place two bread slices butter-side down. Layer mozzarella, tomato slices, and fresh basil leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Drizzle balsamic glaze over tomato and basil layers.
04 - Top with remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
05 - Preheat a large nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently until bread is golden and cheese melts.
07 - Remove sandwiches from pan, let rest for 1 minute, slice in half, drizzle with extra balsamic glaze if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like an upscale restaurant dish but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The warm cheese perfectly softens the acidity of the tomato in a way that feels almost luxurious for a grilled cheese.
  • You get that crispy golden bread and melted interior without any of the heaviness of a traditional grilled cheese.
02 -
  • Slice your tomato thin enough that it can actually nestle against the cheese; thick slices will create pockets of steam and make everything soggy.
  • Don't skip the resting step—those two minutes make the difference between a sandwich that holds together and one that falls apart when you bite it.
03 -
  • Slice your tomato right before you assemble the sandwich so it's at peak freshness and hasn't started releasing water.
  • If your mozzarella is cold from the fridge, it'll take longer to melt; letting it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes actually speeds up the whole cooking process.
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