Grilled Cheese with Tomato & Basil
Golden, crispy whole-grain bread with melty sharp cheddar and juicy tomato slices. A grown-up twist on the lunchbox classic that kids still love.
Diet swaps
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread, wraps or buns.
- Dairy-free: Leave off the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese. Use olive oil or dairy-free butter instead of butter.
Check labels on packaged foods if you have an allergy or celiac disease.
Ingredients
- 8 slices Whole-grain bread
- 4 oz Sharp cheddar, thinly sliced
- 2 Tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp Butter, softened
- 1 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Directions
- Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Mix the soft butter and olive oil and spread thinly on one side of each bread slice.
- Build sandwiches with the buttered side out: cheese, tomato, basil, then more cheese.
- Cook in a skillet over medium-low heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden and the cheese melts.
Calorie breakdown
Bread 180 · cheddar 115 · butter + olive oil 55 · tomato 8 · basil 1
💡 Lighter tip: Cook low and slow. Medium-low heat melts the cheese before the bread burns. Serve with carrot sticks or a cup of tomato soup.
Helpful for this recipe
Cast iron skilletShop on Amazon →Grill pressShop on Amazon →How to choose real extra virgin olive oilRead the guide →Our guide to safe, non-toxic cookwareSee picks →