Caprese Grilled Cheese

Crispy, buttery sourdough filled with creamy melted mozzarella, juicy ripe tomato, fragrant fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s a simple comfort-food sandwich with all the flavors of a classic Caprese salad.

🛒 Ingredients

Serves 2

• 4 slices sourdough bread
• 4 oz (115 g) fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
• 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
• 8–10 fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients
Slice the mozzarella and tomato into fairly thin, even slices. If the tomato is very juicy, gently pat the slices dry with paper towels. This helps prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.

2. Butter the bread
Spread the softened butter evenly over one side of each slice of sourdough. Make sure you cover the edges as well, since this helps the bread develop an even golden crust.

3. Build the sandwiches
Place two slices of bread butter-side down. Layer each with:

• Fresh mozzarella
• Tomato slices
• A pinch of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh basil leaves

Drizzle a small amount of balsamic glaze over the filling, being careful not to add too much liquid.

Top with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side facing up.

4. Heat the skillet
Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat. Allow it to warm for a minute or two.

Medium-low heat is important because it gives the mozzarella time to melt before the bread becomes too dark.

5. Grill the first side
Place the sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, gently pressing them with a spatula occasionally.

Cook until the bottom is crisp and golden brown and the mozzarella begins to soften.

6. Flip carefully
Using a wide spatula, carefully flip each sandwich. Cook the second side for another 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.

If the bread is browning too quickly while the cheese isn’t melted, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes.

7. Finish with balsamic glaze
Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for about 1 minute. Drizzle a little additional balsamic glaze over the top if desired.

8. Slice and serve
Cut each sandwich in half and serve warm while the mozzarella is still gooey.

💡 Tips for the Best Caprese Grilled Cheese

• Use thick sourdough: It holds the filling well and becomes wonderfully crisp.
• Dry the tomatoes: This is the easiest way to avoid soggy grilled cheese.
• Don’t use high heat: The bread can burn before the mozzarella melts.
• Fresh mozzarella works beautifully: For a less watery sandwich, use low-moisture fresh mozzarella or pat fresh mozzarella dry before assembling.
• Add basil after grilling: If you prefer a brighter, fresher basil flavor, tuck some fresh leaves into the sandwich immediately after cooking.
• Balsamic glaze: A little goes a long way because it adds concentrated sweetness and acidity.

🥗 Optional Additions

For extra flavor, add:

• A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
• Red pepper flakes
• Pesto
• Thinly sliced avocado
• A few slices of roasted red pepper

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 6–8 minutes
Total time: About 20 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches