Caprese Grilled Cheese Dippers (Printable format)

Golden grilled cheese sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil, sliced into dippable strips and served with marinara.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 - 1/2 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 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.
04 - Top with remaining bread slices with buttered side facing outward.
05 - Lightly brush olive oil on the outside of each sandwich for enhanced crispness if desired.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
07 - Remove sandwiches and let cool 1-2 minutes. Slice each sandwich into 3-4 strips.
08 - Arrange warm strips on a serving plate and provide marinara sauce in a bowl for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of warm melted mozzarella and cool fresh basil creates those perfect temperature contrasts that make your taste buds happy
  • Cutting sandwiches into strips makes them feel playful and portable, like upscale cheese sticks you can actually feel good about serving
02 -
  • Patting tomato slices dry with paper towels is the secret step that separates mushy from magnificent, so do not skip this small but mighty detail
  • Low and slow heat will burn your bread before melting the cheese, while too high heat will scorch the outside before the inside warms through
03 -
  • A light brush of olive oil on the outside buttered side creates this extraordinary shattering crunch that has made these legendary among my dinner guests
  • Adding balsamic glaze as a finishing drizzle over the plated dippers transforms the dish into something restaurant-worthy
Go back