Skip to main content

Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

The Italian influences of Asiago, prosciutto, and basil dress up this childhood favorite. Take it further by adding thinly sliced red onion or avocado. If you want to omit the prosciutto, add a little salt to the sandwich to really bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2 Sandwiches

Ingredients

Butter
4 slices country white sourdough bread, cut on deep diagonal into 1/3-inch-thick slices (each about 7 by 3 1/2 inches)
4 thin slices prosciutto
8 large fresh basil leaves
8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices Asiago cheese or drained fresh mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 (1/3-inch-thick) slices heirloom tomato (about 1 large)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly butter one side of each bread slice. Place 2 bread slices, buttered side down, on a work surface. Top each with 2 prosciutto slices, then 4 basil leaves, then 4 cheese slices. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Top with the remaining 2 bread slices, buttered side up.

    Step 2

    Heat the olive oil in a heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sandwiches to the skillet and cook until golden on bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn the sandwiches over; transfer the skillet to the oven, and bake until golden and cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

    Step 3

    Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully lift off the top bread slices from the sandwiches and insert 3 tomato slices into each, then cover with bread tops and serve.

The Epicurious Cookbook
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.