Caprese Grilled Cheese Dippers (Print)

Golden, melty sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil. Sliced into strips and served with marinara for dipping.

# Ingredients:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 8 slices sourdough or country white bread
02 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
05 - 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves

→ Sauce

06 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

→ Seasonings

07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil, optional for brushing bread

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
02 - Lay out bread slices and spread softened butter on one side of each slice.
03 - On the unbuttered side of half the slices, layer mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
04 - Lightly brush olive oil on the outside of each sandwich for enhanced crispness if desired.
05 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Slice each sandwich into 3 to 4 strips.
07 - Arrange warm strips on a serving plate with warmed marinara sauce in a bowl for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes the comfort of grilled cheese and turns it into something you can share around the table without any fuss.
  • The fresh mozzarella melts into the tomatoes and basil in a way that feels lighter and brighter than your typical sandwich.
  • Slicing them into strips makes every bite feel like a treat, especially when theres warm marinara waiting.
02 -
  • Dont rush the heat, medium is the sweet spot where the bread toasts evenly and the cheese has time to melt without burning the outside.
  • Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel before layering them in, or the moisture can make the bread soggy and the sandwich harder to flip.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with the back of your spatula while they cook, it helps the cheese melt evenly and the layers stick together without squishing out the filling.
  • Use a sharp bread knife to slice the sandwiches cleanly into strips, a dull knife will compress the bread and make the cheese ooze out before you can plate them.
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