A simple grilled cheese sandwich is packed with extra flavor from pesto and roasted red pepper inside, giving it a gourmet spin!
I’ve decided if this Mom to Mom Nutrition Blog ever fails that I’ve got a pretty good chance at making it work with a blog or cookbook dedicated to grilled cheese. Specifically, my toddlers love of grilled cheese. From cheddar to provolone to mozzarella, these boys do not discriminate on cheese or flavor! While I’m all for their affinity to simple, nutritious foods like cheese and whole grain bread, this Mom has a little known trick to get them to try foods by adding a few extras— like in this roasted red pepper and pesto grilled cheese!
Jazz-up your grilled cheese routine with this roasted red pepper and pesto grilled cheese! #NationalDairyMonth Share on XNow don’t go all, “wait my toddler wouldn’t eat a grilled cheese like that!” on me. I gave them a few bites of mine [the roasted red pepper and pesto grilled cheese] mixed in with their cheese + bread grilled sandwich. They are grilled cheese purists at heart, and that’s something I’m more than OK with! But this Mom pleases her taste buds too and I just so happened to have some jarred pesto and roasted red peppers on hand to jazz up my sandwich. So I’ll just continue letting the boys think they are getting the better half of the sandwich when really Mom knows what’s up!
Now when it comes to melted cheese between two slices of bread, I have quite a selection of recipes on my blog that fit these criteria. In fact, this is my third grilled cheese recipe I’ve made on behalf of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan—- and I think it’s my best one yet to ring-in celebrate National Dairy Month. I couldn’t think of a better way to acknowledge the hardworking men and women who provide my family and yours with nutritious dairy foods, like milk, cheese, and yogurt. OH and cottage cheese [Joey’s second favorite to grilled cheese]. Dairy foods contain essential nutrients for health, like calcium, potassium, and protein, so really we should celebrate National Dairy Month all year-round… which is essentially what the Serbinski crew does every day. So if your family has a soup and sandwich night OR your toddler requests grilled cheese on the daily like mine, then give this roasted red pepper and pesto grilled cheese a try. It’s a delicious tribute to National Dairy Month— and a fun way to get more veggies into those little tummies.
- 4 slices of French or Italian bread
- 3 tablespoons prepared pesto
- 2 large roasted red peppers
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
- Preheat skillet or grill pan over medium-low heat.
- To assemble the sandwiches, stack ingredients between two slices of bread, spreading the pesto evenly between both sandwiches.
- Spread the outer sides of the bread with softened butter and grill until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes per side.
- Rest one minute before cutting. Enjoy!
If you’re in the mood for more melted cheesy deliciousness, then be sure to check out one or more of these simple grilled cheese recipes!
- Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Fancy BLT Grilled Cheese
- The Michigander Grilled Cheese
- Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Disclaimer: I am proud to partner with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to bring you healthy recipes made with cow’s milk. Because of these great partnerships I am able to share delicious and nutritious family-friendly recipes. As always all opinion and ideas are 100% my own. Find out why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Love adding pesto to grilled cheese sandwiches!
Me too!! It makes a great dipper for soup!