Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

April is National Grilled Cheese Month which makes it pretty much the best month ever. Well, tomorrow is even more special because it is National Grilled Cheese Day. I love a good traditional grilled cheese sandwich, but I also like fancying them up a bit. My all time favorite is my Guacamole Grilled Cheese, but my latest obsession is this Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich. If you are looking for a special sandwich to celebrate this fine day or month, you can count on this grilled cheese. It does not disappoint.

I made this sandwich yesterday for lunch because I was in the mood for comfort food. Caleb came down with a nasty cold on Sunday and we had to take him to the doctor on Monday. Luckily, he is fine and it’s just a bad cold, but I hate that he is sick. He’s fighting a fever, cough, and hoarse voice. The only good part is that he loves snuggling again. I love my Caleb snuggles.
Since I can’t feed Caleb comfort food while he is sick I figured it was ok for mama to indulge. This Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese is just what the doctor ordered. The outside of the sandwich has a salty Parmesan cheese crust, while the inside is filled with mozzarella cheese and basil pesto. I used this pesto recipe, I had some in the freezer, but store-bought pesto is fine too.

A grilled cheese sandwich with cheese in the middle and on the outside is all kinds of awesome! And the basil pesto gives the sandwich loads of flavor. Make this Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day or National Grilled Cheese Month. I might have to have this sandwich every day until May.
Don’t forget to join our Cookie Cravings online chat today at 12:00 MST. Visit Mom It Forward for all the details. I can’t wait to talk cookies with all of you!

Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Yield: 1 sandwich
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
The salty Parmesan crust takes this gourmet pesto grilled cheese sandwich to a whole new level!
Ingredients:
2 slices ciabatta or French bread
1 tablespoon soft butter, for brushing the bread
2 slices mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons basil pesto
1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (I use my Microplane)Directions:
1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
2. Butter the outside of each slice of bread. Spread basil pesto on the inside of each slice of bread. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of one piece of bread. Top with the other slice of bread. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on the outside of one side of the sandwich.
3. Place the sandwich, cheese side down, on the hot pan. Grill for 2 minutes or until Parmesan cheese is crusted and golden brown. Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on the outside of the other side of the sandwich. Cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.
If you like this Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese, you might also like:
- Green Goddess Grilled Cheese from Panini Happy
- Grilled Cheese with Mascarpone, Apricots and Chocolate from Not Without Salt
- Turkey & White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion & Grape Grilled Cheese from Foodie Crush
- The Adult Grilled Cheese from Recipe Girl




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I LOVE this idea, as I adore pesto!
So sorry to hear that poor Caleb is sick, I hope he’s filling a bit better today. This sandwich looks like the ultimate comfort food, love the double cheese!
Um, as usual you’re a genius
It is so hard to see the peanuts get sick
Hope Caleb gets better FAST! Pesto with grilled cheese? What a great idea
Now this is a pretty grilled cheese. Love it!
I had no idea this was grilled cheese month… must start celebrating with your creations stat!
Looks fantastic.. loving pesto!
I love this grilled cheese. One of my favorite ways to make it is this way. Seeing this has me in the mood for it today. This looks sooo good!
Oh my gosh, this is seriously drool worthy this morning! I’m sorry to hear that Caleb is sick. I hope he feels better soon!
Great modification to an American classic.
Sounds wonderful!
Yum! Peso is one of the most perfect foods. I can eat it by the spoonful. Great sandwich!
I want this sandwich in a bad way!
Oooo, love your grilled cheese!! I could eat this right now for breakfast
xoxo
This sandwich just kept getting better and better. Parmesan crusted? I’m in. Pesto? Get me one now. Grilled Cheese? Why oh why do I not have a panini press at work?? I see many of these in my future.
Feel better soon, sweet Caleb!
And, this sandwich looks awesome, Maria!
This looks real yummy, another great recipe added to the list to try, thanks for sharing:)
this looks so mouth-watering delicious!! I loooove pesto! great combination
I am so drooling over this sandwich. It’s wonderful! Yum!!!
This looks yummy! I have recently been enjoying outside-the-box grilled cheese sandwiches with much success! I’ll have to add this one to my list to try! Congratulations on the book as well! It’s exciting to see all the bloggers I have been following for a while have successes like publishing books!!
Glad you posted about Grilled Cheese Month. I’ll have to whip up one of these sandwiches to celebrate. Hope Caleb is better soon.
OK, I just arrive at the office. Mornings are a little bit crazy, you will notice that when Caleb starts going to school, anyway, my breakfast was very fast today. Now, looking at my computer, looking at your picture, my mouth start melting and my stomach is making that terrible sound. I have to try this sandwich at home
Wow that looks beyond good.
I saw the first picture and literally said out loud “whoa”.
I’m salivating! Looks so delicious
Looks delicious Maria! Hope Caleb feels better!
I love comfort foods like this… It fills my belly and my heart. Hope Caleb feels better soon!
This is pure indulgence and perfect for when a little guy is sick. It’s ready in minutes so you can tend to him. I feel so bad for Caleb…I hope he gets better soon! I’m thinking one of these sandwiches is in order today!
This looks divine! I want it. Now!
love the crust!
This looks delicious, anything with pesto is excellent in my books!
One of my favorite sides is essentially this sandwich served as cheesy bread. There is nothing better than fresh pesto.
This sandwich is like the boss of all the other Grilled Cheeses. I LOVE it!!
So sorry to hear about little Caleb…sick babies are truly the worst. Jon David would never let me out of his sight!! Poor Jess would have to sleep on the couch so Jon david could sleep with me. It doesn’t get much better as they get older.
I agree this has got to be one of the best months. I’m all about joining the celebration! This looks perfect for lunch or dinner
Sounds and looks wonderfully delicious!
You always make the best and gooiest sandwiches! Love them all!
LOVE pesto + cheese. Dreamy combo
This looks amazing! I love adding pesto and making a grilled cheese. Yummy…now I’m hungry!
Nothing like a gourmet grilled cheese! This looks fantastic!
This makes me so happy.