Pesto & Gouda Grilled Cheese Recipe

Comforting & Delicious Easy Vegan Recipe for Lunch or Dinner

Prep time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes

The Absolute BEST Vegan Grilled Cheese Recipe

Are you searching for a simple vegetarian dinner option or an easy vegan lunch idea? Give this plant-based basil pesto and gouda grilled cheese sandwich a go!

In this delectable vegan sandwich my basil pesto recipe is partnered with smokey & gooey vegan gouda. Flavorful basil pesto, creamy gouda cheese, and crunchy bread add up to create an irresistible vegan twist on the classic grilled cheese.

This is a great plant-based recipe for families with small kids - the vibrant flavors of this delicious and easy vegan recipe will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

For the Pesto

• 3 cups basil, loosely packed

• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3/4 cup parsley 

• 3 cloves garlic 

• 1/2 cup pine nuts (you can always substitute walnuts)

• 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese (see my recipe, use store bought, or just replace with nutritional yeast)

• 6 to 8 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 to 2 tablespoons plant-based butter

For the Grilled Cheese

• Sourdough bread

• 2 slices of good vegan gouda cheese - I recommend Follow Your Heart brand

• 1 to 2 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter or other vegan butter

• Sliced tomatoes

Instructions

1. Place all of your pesto ingredients (see below) into a food processor:

• 3 cups basil, loosely packed

• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3/4 cup parsley 

• 3 cloves garlic 

• 1/2 cup pine nuts

• 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese (see my recipe, use store bought, or just replace with nutritional yeast)

• 6 to 8 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 to 2 tablespoons plant based butter

2. Use the pulse function about 15 times until a paste begins to form.

3. Scrape down the sides of the food processor to combine the pesto mixture

4. Turn your food processor to the BLEND/ON function and process for 1 to 2 minutes until the pesto is a nice smooth paste, scraping down the sides as needed

To Make the Grilled Cheese

1. Cut one large piece of sourdough bread in half or use two regular-size slices

2. Spread pesto onto one side of one piece of bread, about one tablespoon

3. Add thinly sliced tomato

4. Add 1 to 2 slices of vegan gouda cheese

5. Use vegan butter to butter the outsides of the bread

6. Heat a non-stick pan over medium low heat

7. Add 1 tablespoon of vegan butter to the pan until it melts

8. Place your sandwich in the pan and cover it with a lid, let the sandwich cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, carefully checking to see if the bottom slice has turned golden brown

9. When the bottom is golden brown flip the sandwich carefully (it’s ok to support it with your free (non-spatula) hand. Cook the other side for 2-3 minutes covered

10. You can press down on the sandwich with a spatula to encourage the melting!

11. Enjoy!!

Notes and Adjustments!

This recipe will make a good quantity of pesto. Pesto can be served on anything! Try it on pasta, rice, vegan chicken, or potatoes. Another one of my favorite ways to serve this is to make a plate of rice and vegan chicken strips and then mix well with the pesto. This is a great dish that even kids will enjoy.

I use commercial vegan parmesan (rather than my homemade vegan parmesan) when I make pesto specifically for grilled cheese because it makes it even more melty and gooey!