Caprese Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Melted mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze layered on toasted sourdough for an Italian twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

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

→ Vegetables & Herbs

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

→ Condiments & Garnish

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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It bridges two worlds—the coziness of grilled cheese with the bright, fresh feeling of a Caprese salad.
  • Everything comes together in 20 minutes, no stress, no fussing.
  • The balsamic glaze adds this gentle sweet-tart complexity that makes it feel fancier than it actually is.
02 -
  • If you don't slice your tomato thin enough, it won't cook through and will slide around; aim for about a quarter-inch thickness so it softens and melds with everything else.
  • Medium heat is your friend here—high heat will burn the bread before the cheese inside finishes melting, and then you're left with a crunchy outside and cold cheese, which defeats the whole purpose.
  • Tear the basil by hand instead of cutting it; a knife bruises the leaves and they'll oxidize and turn dark and sad-tasting.
03 -
  • Slice your tomato just before assembly to avoid watery bread by the time you cook it—moisture is the enemy of the perfect crust.
  • If the sandwich threatens to fall apart, you can secure it with a toothpick while it cooks, then remove it before serving.
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