Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It's been really cold lately and nothing can warm me up like a yummy hot sandwich. This is also a great comfort food dish. It's similar to a grilled cheese sandwich, but I use pesto in it, as well. Pesto can be really fattening but I found a skinny pesto reciepe that I absolutely love and use it on anything I can.

First I'm going to share with you my skinny pesto recipe--

Skinny Pesto 

Ingredients: 

1 cup basil 
1 clove garlic 
1/4 cup grated parmesan 
salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil  
2 tbsp water

Directions:
In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil and water while pulsing. Store in a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to use or you can freeze this in ziplocks bags to use at a later date.


Now for the sandwich recipe--

Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich 
 

Ingredients:

2 slices ciabatta or French bread (you can also use the 60 calorie Sara Lee white bread)
Spray butter
2 slices mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons skinny pesto
1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese 

Directions:

1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.

2. Spray the outside of each slice of bread with the spray butter. Spread basil pesto on the inside of each slice of bread. Place the mozzarella cheese slices on top of one piece of bread. Top with the other slice of bread. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on the outside of one side of the sandwich.

3. Place the sandwich, cheese side down, on the hot pan. Grill for 2 minutes or until Parmesan cheese is crusted and golden brown. Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on the outside of the other side of the sandwich. Cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.

This sandwich is also great with tomato soup. Enjoy!