Pesto Grilled Cheese (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe is free from dairy, gluten, and nuts, but packed with flavor using Bread SRSLY Classic Gluten-Free Sourdough. The trick to café-worthy sandwiches is to cut the bread diagonally to maximize surface area for a gooey grilled cheese that pairs perfectly with a bowl of soup. 

 

Why Pesto is Your Favorite New Grilled Cheese Addition

Pesto brings out an earthy and bright flavor to a classic grilled cheese. This zesty addition balances the hearty and fatty cheese while providing extra moisture, similar to mayo in most grilled cheeses recipes.

Pesto is incredibly easy to make. Plus, we make this nut-free by substituting pine nuts for hemp hearts. All you'll need to do is blend basil, hemp hearts, nutritional yeast (for cheesy umami flavor), olive oil, and lemon juice. 

 

Swap Hemp Hearts For Pine Nuts in a Nut-Free Pesto

If you or the person you are making this for are allergic to nuts, hemp hearts are a perfect nut-free substitution. Hemp hearts are heart healthy and packed with protein, omega-3s,  omega-6s, and magnesium. 


This Recipe Is Allergen Friendly

This pesto grilled cheese is very allergen friendly. Here's why: 

  • Gluten-free sourdough: Not only does Bread SRSLY's sourdough pack flavor and create a crispy toasted exterior, but it's gluten-free, vegan, and free from the top-9 allergens. This is a bread everyone will enjoy. We recommend cutting Bread SRSLY's loaf on the diagonal for larger slices.
  • Dairy-free cheese: Make any grilled cheese recipe vegan by using a good dairy free cheese (we noted our favorites below!)
  • Easy nut-free pesto: Follow this ten minute pesto recipe for the perfect pine-nut free version of a classic.

 

Recipe created by Micah Silva // @noshwithmicah
Gluten-Free,Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
Serves: 4

 

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Estimates for one sandwich:

Calories: 360 kcal
Fat: 26 g
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 7 g

 

INGREDIENTS

Pesto

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
  • ¼ cup hemp hearts (or sunflower seeds)
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste

To assemble (per sandwich)

  

DIRECTIONS

  1. Make the pesto: Combine basil, hemp hearts, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Pulse until it begins to form a paste. With the motor running, slowly stream in the olive oil, adding water, if necessary, to combine. Season to taste.
  2. Heat oil in a nonstick fry pan over medium-low heat. Spread 1 tbsp pesto on one slice of bread. Top with cheese, and the remaining slice.
  3. Transfer sandwich to the pan, cook over low heat until the bread begins to crisp, and the cheese begins to melt, about 5-7 minutes on each side.
  4. Enjoy!

 


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