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This too-good-to-resist Caprese grilled cheese is so simple, but makes lunch feel gourmet! Below, you’ll learn the best packing tips to keep it crispy and cheesy all the way to lunchtime!
Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese for Teens
Mozzarella barely lasts a day in my house-my teens go through it fast! Every time they make this upgraded grilled cheese with tomato and basil, they hover over the cutting board nibbling slices before the sandwich even hits the pan. Hey, I get it!
Something about this simple combo of ingredients makes school lunch instantly feel next-level. And with any leftover cheese (it could happen), prep a Caprese bento lunch and tomato mozzarella skewers snack box for the rest of the week!
What You Need
For this Caprese grilled cheese, you'll need just a handful of fresh ingredients. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below:
- Bread: sourdough or Italian holds up well to grilling and gives an amazing crispy, golden crunch.
- Mozzarella cheese: I recommend fresh mozzarella so you can slice it to the thickness that you love for a perfect melt (yum!), but pre-sliced or even shredded will work too!
- Tomatoes: go for Roma or cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Fresh basil: gives this sandwich that signature Caprese taste!
- Butter or Spray: for grilling.
- Salt and Pepper: for seasoning.
How to Make & Pack a Caprese Grilled Cheese
Follow these simple tips to ensure your grilled sandwich holds up in a lunchbox until it’s time to enjoy:
- Assemble sandwich
Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, layer mozzarella, followed by tomato slices and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add the basil and top with another layer of mozzarella before closing. This layering prevents the bread from soaking up tomato juice and getting soggy, and tucking the basil inside shields it from the heat keeping it fragrant. - Grill it
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and grill sandwich for about 2-3 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip, then grill for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese gets melty and gooey. - Cool it
Let the sandwich cool completely before packing to avoid trapped steam making the bread soft. - Pack it for school
Place your grilled Caprese sandwich in a hard lunch container and keep any healthy lunch sides separate. Then pack everything inside a lunch bag with an ice pack, if needed.
How to Keep a Caprese Grilled Cheese Fresh for Lunch
Can you make a grilled cheese in the morning and keep it crispy until lunch? Yes! Follow these tips to keep it buttery, crunchy and fresh:
Use the right container
A hard-sided lunch container is the best way to prevent sandwiches from getting squished in a lunch bag. Bonus if it has compartments to keep sides like fruits and veggies separate preventing moisture from making the bread soggy.
Keep it chilled
Consider adding an ice pack inside the lunch bag to keep the tomatoes fresh and the basil from wilting.
Boost nutrition
Keep bigger appetites going longer with filling sides like homemade banana chips or an irresistible oatmeal raisin granola bar!
Let it cool
Packing grilled sandwiches while warm traps steam inside the container, making the bread soft. Let it cool completely before packing to keep it crisp.
More Gourmet Grilled Cheese Ideas
This creamy and tart apple grilled cheese and cranberry pear grilled cheese is the ultimate grilled cheese glow-up! And if you’re a fan of heat, a jalapeño grilled cheese is a must-try. It’s just like a cheesy jalapeño popper in sandwich form!
Caprese Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 1 ounce mozzerella cheese, or enough to cover bread
- handful fresh basil leaves
- 2 slices tomato
- salt and pepper, for seasoning
- butter, for grilling
Instructions
Make the sandwich:
- Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, layer mozzarella, followed by tomato slices and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add the basil and top with another layer of mozzarella before closing.
Grill:
- Grill sandwich for about 2 to 3 minutes on medium-high heat until it's golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip the sandwich and grill on the other side for another minute or 2 until it's golden and crispy and the cheese is melted.
Pack for school:
- Wait for the sandwich to cool to room temperature before packing it inside a hard lunch container. Keep fruit and veggies separate and refrigerate everything until ready for school. Then pack it in a lunch bag with an ice pack, if necessary.
Kate says
your sandwich ideas are saving my school lunches!! This caprese sandwich is a keeper!
Marcy says
Absolutely delicious! My kiddos loved this caprese grilled cheese! Thanks for including tips on how to keep it warm!
Cathy says
Showed this Caprese grilled cheese to my teenage daughter and she loved it too!