Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese

Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese is stuffed with delicious smoked gouda cheese, spinach, and a homemade spinach pesto - it's to die for!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love me some cheese.  Grilled cheese, cubed cheese, blue cheese, herbed cheese, fried cheese, straight up cheese from the package..... I have never met a cheese that I didn't like, ever.   I often think about how I could spice up my grilled cheese aka the perfect sandwich.  Often I use pesto on my sandwiches, but since I didn't have any basil, I thought maybe I could make a spinach pesto.  Turns out I was right and pretty much hit the jackpot with this winning combination.  You have to try this Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese, it's to die for!

So, if you are a big fan of grilled cheeses, like I am, then you are going to need to try this one. I have posted a lot of grilled cheeses on Domestic Superhero - Caprese Grilled Cheese, Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese, Gluten Free Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese, BBQ Chicken & Pineapple Grilled Cheese...and the list goes on...I am telling you, I love grilled cheese!  

For this Spinach Pesto grilled cheese, it's actually really simple and you only need a few things. Get together some spinach, crusty bread, olive oil, nuts, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and delicious smoked gouda cheese. Oh, and butter...you can't forget the butter! Butter is essential when making grilled cheese; you HAVE to slather the bread with butter in order to get a nice crispy brown outside. Don't skip this step!!!

Serve this sandwich alongside a delicious bowl of soup! These are my favorites:

• Hamburger soup 
• Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup (low carb)
• Instant Pot Thai Coconut Soup
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Instant Pot Roasted Red Pepper Soup

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Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: spinach pesto grilled cheese

Servings: 2 sandwiches

Author: Allyson

Ingredients

Ingredients for Spinach Pesto:

• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 1 TBS olive oil
• 2 TBS walnuts pine nuts, almonds would also work
• 2 TBS freshly grated parmesan Cheese
• pinch of Salt and Pepper

Ingredients for sandwiches:

• 4 pieces of crusty bread I like sourdough
• butter
• 6 slices smoked gouda could do a mix of gouda and mozzarella too
• ½ cup baby spinach
• prepared spinach pesto

Instructions

Directions for pesto:

1. Add all ingredient for pesto (abovin a food processor or blender, blend until smooth, scraping sides down if needed. Set aside.

Directions for sandwiches:

1. Set out 4 slices of bread and butter the outside facing sides. On the inside of the 4 slices, slather spinach pesto (about 2 TBS per side), then top with 2 slices of gouda on half. Add ¼ cup baby spinach leaves, then place 1 piece of gouda on top, and place the remaining slice of bread on top (spinach pesto side down, butter side up). Repeat for second sandwich.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, place sandwiches and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until bottom is browned. Watch closely as you don't want to burn them, but you want the cheese to start melting. Do not turn the heat to high! Flip sandwiches and cook for 1-2 minutes on opposite side (will cook faster), remove, cut in half and serve immediately!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

**See 1 minute how-to video for a visual explanation of making the sandwiches!

Makes 2 sandwiches. If you have leftover pesto, use for chicken, pasta, fish...it's delicious!