Garlicky Avocado Grilled Cheese with Tomato Pesto Recipe
This Garlicky Avocado Grilled Cheese with Tomato Pesto is a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, combining creamy mashed avocado, savory sun-dried tomato pesto, and gooey provolone cheese. Enhanced with a flavorful onion garlic butter and toasted to golden perfection on a stovetop pan, it offers a comforting and rich meal that’s perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 1 sandwich
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Butter Mixture
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Sandwich
- 2 slices whole wheat white bread or bread of your choice
- 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato pesto
- ½ avocado, mashed
- 4–5 slices provolone cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the salted butter, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and dried thyme. Mash together thoroughly to blend all the flavors.
- Apply Butter to Bread: Spread the onion-garlic butter mixture evenly on one side of each slice of bread. Then flip the slices over so the buttered side faces down.
- Assemble Sandwich: On the bottom slice of bread (buttered side down), layer a few slices of provolone cheese. Spread the mashed avocado over the cheese, then add the sun-dried tomato pesto on top. Add another layer of provolone slices, and place the second slice of bread on top, buttered side up.
- Heat Pan and Add Oil/Butter: Place a large non-stick pan over low heat. Add the olive oil and a bit of the leftover butter mixture to the pan to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Cook First Side: Carefully place the sandwich in the pan and cover with a lid. Cook for 3-4 minutes, monitoring to ensure the bread is slowly toasted and turns a golden color without burning.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Flip the sandwich carefully to the other side. Cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until the bread is toasty golden and the cheese has melted completely. The second side cooks faster, so watch it closely to prevent over-browning.
- Serve: Remove the sandwich from the pan and enjoy it hot for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Use low heat for cooking to ensure the cheese melts thoroughly without burning the bread.
- You can substitute provolone with mozzarella or cheddar cheese for variation.
- Choose your preferred bread type; a denser bread works best for holding the filling.
- For a vegan option, replace butter and cheese with vegan alternatives.
- Leftover butter mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.
