Easy and delicious grilled cheese!! With skillet roasted potatoes, basil pesto and pepper jack cheese!
Bringing yet another lunch box favorite.
A huge hit at school lunch table...
Kids love it!
It is bread, cheese and potato after all.
Don't own a waffle maker? Cook sandwiches in a regular skillet, just like any grilled cheese.
This recipe is a simpler and a kid friendly version of that.
More recipes with jarred pesto:
Skill level - Easy
Potato Pesto Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
2 Yukon gold or yellow potatoes (medium- large), about 1 pound or 450 grams, peeled, halved and cut into ¼-inch thick slices (may substitute russet potatoes)
¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper powder
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 slices buttermilk bread (may use any white/ wheat bread)
4 teaspoons mayonnaise
½ cup basil pesto
4 slices pepper jack cheese (may substitute monterey jack)
Preparation:
1. Toss together sliced potatoes, salt, pepper and garlic powder together.
2. Heat a 9-inch non-stick saute pan over medium heat. Add oil and as soon as the oil gets moderately hot, add potatoes, stir well. Cover pan with a lid, cook (stirring every 2-3 minutes), until potatoes are tender, about 9-12 minutes (a knife inserted into one or two pieces should go in without any resistance). Don't worry if any of the potatoes break apart while stirring. It's all going to be covered any way. Take pan off heat and continue making sandwiches (Potatoes can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days)
3. Preheat a waffle iron.
4. Spread some mayo one side of each bread slices. Place 4 slices (mayo side down) on a plate. Spread 2 tablespoons basil pesto on each slice, top with ¼th cooked potatoes, a slice of cheese and top with remaining bread (mayo side up).
5. Cook sandwiches, one at a time, close waffle iron and cook until deep golden and crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Repeat with remaining sandwiches, serve immediately (if not, refer notes)
Makes 4 sandwiches
Notes:
- If not eating immediately, then place cooked sandwiches on a wire rack to cool. This helps in not making the bottoms soggy.
- Sandwiches can be cooked in a skillet instead of a waffle iron, just as any grilled cheese - Wipe the same skillet clean with a paper towel, place a sandwich, cook until the bottom is golden (pressing sandwich with a flat spatula, this helps in the sandwiches cooking faster/ crispier ) gently turn sandwich over, cook until the other side is golden as well (pressing again).
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
I make a similar sandwich for my sister..And she loves waffles.. Thanks to this recipe.. I am going to make this the next time..I am sure she will love it! Thanks Maria 🙂
Maria Doss
Thanks dear, she'll totally love it:)
Karly
Helloooo deliciousness! These look so divine, and I seriously love the waffle iron idea. Definitely putting these on the dinner menu soon!
Maria Doss
Thank you very much Karly:)
Karl @ Healthy Kreation
Wow, this is such a great idea for a school lunch. Been on the lookout for these types of recipes. Thanks for sharing this.
Maria Doss
Thanks Karl:)
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Just FYI that I'm coming over for lunch today. This looks unbelievably good!
Maria Doss
I have my skillet going already, so I can have it hot when you come over. Thanks dear:)
Ashika @ Gardening Foodie
This is pure torture, Maria....I am looking at this gorgeously delicious grilled cheese with pesto and potatoes and trying not to eat my computer screen. I love this recipe. Definitely making this for lunch( not just for the kids... but for me too!!!!)
Maria Doss
Thank you dear, we love it and you will too:)
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
I want to eat this so bad right now!!!! Yum!!!!!
Maria Doss
Aww...thanks dear:)
Katherine | Love In My Oven
How have I never thought of a potato in a sandwich!? This is pure genius. What a great idea!! My husband always wants me to make him a fancy sandwich when he's at home on the weekend and he would LOVE this!
Maria Doss
Thanks to the humble, versatile potatoes:)
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
ahhh so golden!! and this actually sounds like a good waffling idea. i've done cornbread and brownies in a waffle maker but find myself missing the thickness and fluffy/fudgy textures. this on the other hand lends itself perfectly to maximum crispiness :3
Maria Doss
You totally got it Heather. It takes a plain old grilled cheese to new heights!!