Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese (Print)

Savor toasted bread layered with gooey mozzarella, fresh tomato, and aromatic basil leaves for a simple meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or country-style bread
02 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

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

→ Seasonings

06 - Salt, to taste
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Spread the softened butter evenly over one side of each bread slice.
02 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on a cutting board. Layer each with half the mozzarella, tomato slices, basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing up.
04 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
05 - Place the sandwiches on the heated skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
06 - Remove from heat and let rest for one minute. Slice and serve warm.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in twenty minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • Fresh basil and tomato turn a childhood favorite into something grown-up and craveable.
  • When butter hits the pan and the bread starts toasting, your kitchen smells absolutely irresistible.
02 -
  • Slice your tomato thin enough to cook through in those few minutes in the pan, otherwise you'll get raw tomato against melted cheese, which sounds good until you bite it.
  • Never skip the rest—I learned this the hard way when I cut into a sandwich while the cheese was still volcanic and it all ran onto my plate.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently while it cooks—this helps the bread make even contact with the heat and melts the cheese faster from the outside in.
  • If your cheese isn't melting fast enough, cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of cooking to trap the heat and steam.
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