Caprese Grilled Cheese
This Caprese Grilled Cheese is filled with fresh basil, creamy mozzarella cheese, and juicy tomatoes. It’s a unique twist on a classic sandwich that is packed with flavor and easy to prepare!
It’s grilled cheese season!
Well, any season is grilled cheese season. Am I right?
I crave it in the winter, when the weather gets cold, and I can devour it with a bowl of soup. I also crave it in the summer for a simple lunch. Then comes spring and fall…and grilled cheese is definitely welcome in those cooler months, too.
So, yes, it is grilled cheese season. Which means that it’s the perfect time to showcase my latest (and greatest) caprese recipe.
Just in case you didn’t know by now, caprese and I go way back. I’ve always loved the trifecta of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella, especially when topped with a balsamic glaze. I’ll eat it in these burgers, I devour it in quinoa, I can grab it in these cups, and I love it on garlic bread.
Needless to say, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate caprese-anything into my diet. And this tomato and mozzarella grilled cheese definitely does not disappoint.
Ingredients for Caprese Grilled Cheese
This Caprese Grilled Cheese is filled with fresh basil, creamy mozzarella cheese, and juicy tomatoes. It’s a unique twist on a classic sandwich that is packed with flavor and easy to prepare!
Here’s everything you’ll need for this cheesy grilled caprese sandwich recipe:
- Bread
- Fresh basil
- Tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Unsalted butter
How to Make a Caprese Grilled Cheese
This unique basil mozzarella grilled cheese with tomato fancifies a regular ‘ole grilled cheese. And, yes, “fancifies” is my new word. Instead of using American cheese between two slices of bread, we’re fancying things up with this oh-so delicious sandwich.
Here’s how the recipe comes together:
- Place two pieces of bread onto a plate.
- Place 2 basil leaves on one slice of bread, followed by mozzarella and tomato slices. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top, if desired. Add 2 basil leaves on top of tomato slices.
- Place second slice of bread on top of mozzarella layer. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter evenly over the top of bread, coating to the edges.
- Place the sandwich, buttered side down, on a medium griddle pan or skillet.
- Cook sandwich over medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side, or until crust is golden and cheese starts to melt.
The buttery, toasted bread, combined with the melty cheese and fresh flavors creates a taste that is out-of-this-world delicious. And if you’re a caprese lover like I am, then this grilled cheese was made for you!
What Are the Best Tomatoes for Caprese Grilled Cheese?
I prefer using a Roma tomato, or something similar. Larger, juicier tomatoes work well in grilled cheese sandwiches because they can be sliced thinly and stacked between the bread.
What’s the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese?
You want to use a thick-cut bread to make this tomato and mozzarella grilled cheese. Texas Toast or something similar is perfect. A thick-cut sourdough would be great, too!
Tips for Making the Best Grilled Cheese
- Use fresh mozzarella. Look for the kind that’s packed in water rather than the pre-shredded kind in a bag.
- Use ripe tomatoes. If your tomatoes aren’t ripe, the grilled cheese won’t taste very good. You want juicy, slightly soft tomatoes.
- Use butter. Real butter will deliver the best flavor, but a substitute like margarine may also be used.
Easy to prepare and even better to eat, this Caprese Grilled Cheese is what dreams are made of. Or at least mine are. So grab those ingredients and whip up this savory, cheesy, melty, and zesty sandwich today!
Looking for grilled sandwich recipes? I’ve got you covered!
- Turkey Bacon and Guacamole Panini
- Tomato, Avocado and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese
- Prosciutto, Raspberry and Brie Grilled Cheese
- Grilled Ham and Swiss Sandwich
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Panini
Caprese Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Texas toast
- 4 fresh basil leaves, divided
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Place two pieces of bread onto a plate or other flat surface.
- Place 2 basil leaves on one slice of bread, followed by mozzarella and tomato slices. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top, if desired.Add 2 basil leaves on top of tomato slices.
- Place second slice of bread on top of mozzarella layer. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter evenly over the top of bread, coating to the edges.
- Place the sandwich, buttered side down, on a medium griddle pan or skillet. Cook sandwich over medium heat, 3-4 minutes per side, or until crust is golden and cheese starts to melt.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Oh so good. It’s like a cross between grilled cheese and a margherita pizza. I’m down with that! In fact, that could be dinner later. I was out of ideas until now!
This makes the perfect dinner, especially if soup is involved! 🙂
Well, you’ve definitely succeeded in making me crave grilled cheese before even 7am, Gayle!! I seriously cannot even handle how good that cheese looks—NEED this in my life and I don’t think I’ll be able to wait all the way ’til lunch either! 😉
I pretty much crave mozzarella 24/7, so I think this is acceptable for breakfast! 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!
Yay for another one of your delicious caprese recipes! You come up with the BEST creations! I can’t wait for summer and vine-ripened tomatoes. Nevermind the fact that we have sleet in the weather forecast this week…
Thank you, Blair! I can’t wait for vine-ripened and cherry tomatoes either…so good in the summer! And yes, let’s just forget about this unspring-like weather we’re having this week! 🙂
I think every season should be grilled cheese season – I love them! I was thinking about a grilled cheese sandwich yesterday, and this has made me want to make one even more now.
Thanks, Dannii! Aren’t grilled cheese sandwiches the best? I think I could eat them just about every week!
OK, you said my favorite word in all the land…CAPRESE. Pinning this one for basil season…it will come one of these days if we wish hard enough!
Yes! Caprese and basil is my absolute favorite too…and one day, we will hopefully get warmer weather for that to happen! 🙂
I agree, Gayle; you absolutely can’t wrong with basil, mozza and tomatoes, especially between crispy buttery bread! I could eat a good sandwich every single day and this on looks delicious! I wouldn’t even mind eating this sandwich for breakfast with a big cup of coffee 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Dawn! I’m the exact same way, I could eat a sandwich every day too, if I let myself! And I love your idea of having this for breakfast! 🙂
This is one of my son’s favorites! Classic in every sense of the word! Love your Caprese creations, Gayle!
Thank you, Annie!
Gayle, this is SO my kind of grilled cheese sandwich! I love caprese anything!!! looks absolutely delicious!
Thanks for the caprese love, Alice!
haha I’m with you – I’m all about incorporating caprese anything into meals!! This grilled cheese sounds fantastic! Have a great rest of the week Gayle!!
Hooray for caprese anything! Thanks for the kind words, Ashley! Hope you have a great rest of the week, too!
Every season is grilled cheese season FOR SURE!! I have loved all your spins on caprese, Gayle and this one looks over the top delicious!! Oozey, cheesy, carbalicious caprese? Sign me up! I haven’t had breakfast yet, and now I’m thinking one of these bad boys is the perfect way to start the day! Pinnned! Cheers, lovely!
Thanks, friend! I’m kind of craving this for breakfast, too…I think it will make Thursday just a little bit better! 🙂
So, I totally want this caprese grilled cheese for breakfast! I love eating an adult version of grilled cheese sandwiches.
Me too, Jen! Thanks!
Gayle, I’ve been drooling over these since I saw them at 7am this morning. Yep, 7am is when the Pumpkin n Spice appetite-stimulator began. Haha. I so agree with you on the delicious trifecta, btw. Such a good combo in everything! Btw, hope you’re enjoying your barre classes. 🙂 Okay, I’m off to just daydream about these. Have a great weekend, Gayle. 🙂 Pinning!
Haha thank you, Demeter! And I have started those barre classes yet! I hope to in the next few weeks though, so I’ll let you know how it goes! 🙂
The best salad AND the best sandwich combined into one??? Yessss!
Definitely my favorite combo! 🙂
Yes, every season is grilled cheese season, but caprese grilled cheese is perfect for spring and summer! I love caprese everything so this would be a favorite for me!
Thanks, Marcie!
Total comfort food, I love this! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Kelly!
Three cheers for grilled cheese! I make a grilled cheese similar to this alllll the time but with pesto instead of basil because let’s be real….I never have fresh basil on hand. Yum!
Oh I’m going to have to try this with pesto next time! I actually just made my own pesto and I’m hooked. I’ve been putting it on EVERYTHING! 🙂
I love anything caprese and this sandwich looks so simple and delicious! I’d gladly eat this for dinner (or lunch) any day!
Thanks for the caprese love, Kristine!
Grilled cheese is a BIG deal around here! Lol. My girls just love it, and I love that I can make my own more grown-up version just for me! Though they both LOVE tomatoes so I’m sure they would love this version too!
That’s great that you girls love tomatoes! I could eat cherry tomatoes like popcorn, they’re just SO good! Thanks for the grilled cheese love, Ashley!
I’ve been obsessed with sandwiches lately! This is such a great combination! Love it! Pinned to try it!
Thanks for the kind words and pin, Mira!
Caprese ingredients AND a grilled cheese sandwich. Well, this is basically my new favorite thing. And perfect for National Grilled Cheese Month. Yahoo!
Haha yes! I didn’t even know that until I saw your post this morning! Thanks, Liz!
I love caprese everything and marrying it into a grilled cheese sandwich is such a great idea! 🙂 Looks like the perfect lunch and easy weeknight dinner!!
Thanks, Kelly! Caprese anything steal my heart! 🙂
I have been having a lot of paninis and hot melty sandwiches lately, so this is looking really good. This is definitely my kind of grilled cheese!
Melty cheese gets me every time! Thanks, Amanda!
Girl I have been dreaming about having caprese baked chicken for lunch today but now I see this and PLANS changed!!This grilled cheese is so happening!!
Thanks, Ami! Hope you love this if you try it!
love caprese and I love grilled cheese, so this sandwich is the speedy dinner of my dreams! Seriously obsessed- we have a late night grilled cheese food truck at my school and their caprese is to die for, but yours looks even better 🙂
I’m so jealous of your grilled cheese truck! There is one that comes around my area every once in a while and I always flock to it! 🙂
Grilled cheese is the best!! I practically lived off of it when I was a kid! I love the caprese twist!
Thank you, Izzy!
I was out of idea for evening snack for my kids. Thanks for this post. Caprese Grilled cheese sounds great. i too would gulp two of these for dinner
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Smitha!
It’s grilled cheese season all year long at my house! I love your spin on the caprese in this one!
Thanks, Rachelle!
You always come up with the most creative caprese recipes, Gayle! I love grilled cheeses, so this wouldn’t last long around me 🙂
Thank you, Danielle!
can’t go wrong with the classic!! love this grilled cheese Gayle, looks amazing!
Thanks, Manali!
YES! I love caprese flavors together so much, and this looks like such a simple and tasty way to elevate a grilled cheese sandwich! Love it, Gayle!
Thanks for the grilled cheese love, Denise!
Amazing flavour combination 😀 great comforting lunch idea 🙂
Thanks, Nadia!
Yum – caprese is one of my favourite flavours too. It’s so good on anything and everything! This sandwich looks fantastic, definitely need to try that soon!
Thank you, Stacey!
Yum!! Grilled cheese is the best isn’t it? This one is definitely on another level with that crunch factor!!
It sure is the best! Thanks, Jessica!
Oh my Gayle you had me at grilled cheese, then add in caprese and I’m sold. Plus it’s a 30 minute meal. Yes, it’s a win win! Can’t wait to try this.
Thank you, Cyndi! It’s such a delicious way to enjoy caprese flavors!
Love this! We added thinly sliced chicken breast that we had fried on the stove . We Also drizzled a bit of balsamic glaze, and used Mayo to toast it rather than butter. Heaven!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed, David!