Mix These 2 Condiments To Make Basic Grilled Cheese Taste Gourmet

When it comes to an easy and comforting lunch or dinner, not many meals beat a grilled cheese. However, you don't need to order a grilled cheese at a fancy lunch spot to have a special take on the sandwich. Instead, there are two ingredients you can mix together at home to instantly elevate a basic grilled cheese to make it taste gourmet: mayo and pesto. For a pesto mayo that will take your grilled cheese to new levels, you can use jarred pesto from the grocery store or homemade pesto leftover from pasta pesto, then simply whisk it with mayo at a ratio of 1 tablespoon mayo to 1 tablespoon pesto. 

To prepare your sandwich with an easy 2-ingredient pesto mayo, just spread one side of the bread with butter and the other with the pesto. Then, place the buttered side of the bread in the pan, layer on cheese, and place the other slice of bread on top, pesto side down. Adding mayo to grilled cheese makes it extra gooey. Introducing pesto to the condiment results in a pleasant warm and creamy layer to the sandwich with an herby, aromatic twist to the melty cheese and crusty bread. Most popular cheeses will also do the job for a pesto grilled cheese. However, cheeses like cheddar will bring a stronger taste that competes with the pesto, while more subtle white cheeses – like provolone, mozzarella, Swiss, or pepperjack – generally let the pesto shine a bit more.

Adding pesto mayo to your grilled cheese is a simple way to give it an upgrade. While the creamy, herby mix of condiments is a powerful addition on it's own, it also opens the door to further creativity. For example, to further make the classic sandwich taste gourmet, you can also experiment with other ingredients that pair well with pesto sauce. Think, sliced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, peppery arugula, or even fruity additions like slices of sweet, juicy peaches and honey. Other condiments like aged balsamic vinegar go well as an acidic accent to the pesto mayo, as well. 

Play around with different kinds of pesto, from those classically made with basil to those which come with sun-dried tomato blended right in to the jarred condiment. Either way, mix your 2-ingredient pesto mayo with your favorite regular mayo. Or try mixing it with aioli mayo for an extra touch of garlic and savory notes. Beyond the flavor of the mayo and condiments, for some extra heartiness, add sliced smoked turkey, grilled chicken and broccoli, or even bacon to the sandwich before grilling it on the skillet or in a panini press. And for those who like to give their grilled cheese a nice dip, you can even include pesto mayo on the side of the sandwich for an extra flavor boost in every bite.