This 2 ingredient upgrade is what my grilled cheese was missing from the start

Wait until you dunk this next-level sandwich in tomato soup.

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Sometimes simple is best. Bread and butter. Chips and salsa. Peanut butter and chocolate. Corn bread and milk. These dynamic duos require no embellishment to deliver great satisfaction. In fact, any accessory could end up taking over and blurring these satisfyingly streamlined pairings. A classic grilled cheese sandwich is another great example of this concept in play. Essentially, it’s two parts bread to one part cheese, all toasted together to crispy perfection on the outside and gooey on the outside. inside. But it’s a classic combination that opens up a world of possibilities. We will never say “no” to a grilled cheese anyhow, and we have already tested, tasted and loved grilled cheese recipes with different:

• Bread to get the party started. Everything from strong sourdough slabs to hearty, scruffy wheat bread to crispy ciabatta works well.

• Cheeses stuffed in the center. Brie, mozzarella, Gouda, goat, Cheddar, Swiss, pepper, American; just about anything except feta melts like a dream.

• Fats. Brush the outside with the fat of your choice to help achieve a golden crust. Butter, olive oil or mayonnaise, you can’t go wrong.

Even after all that hard “research” on the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich recipe, we hadn’t quite picked our best. That all changed when we came across an easy-to-make, easy-to-love Pesto Butter Grilled Cheese from Joy Wilson (aka Joy the Baker). One fan who tried this sandwich recipe said it was a “staple elevated to gourmet status.” Love it!” Another said it was “my favorite afternoon snack!” And after trying one of his variations on this unique grilled cheese recipe, we totally agree.

Read on to find out the only two ingredients you need to take bread and cheese from awesome to irresistible, then we’ll explain the bonus additions to make Wilson’s masterpiece your own.

Related: How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ever

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How to Make Pesto Butter Grilled Cheese

The idea for this herbal upgrade came from a half-empty pot of sauce taunting her in the fridge. “It turns out that store-bought pesto is a really good way to elevate a grilled cheese situation,” says Wilson.

1. To follow in his sandwich footsteps, in a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of butter with About 2 tablespoons store-bought or homemade pesto. Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread the pesto butter on one side of Two slices of bread. (Wilson uses chunks from a loaf of crisp white bread.) For even more herbal flavor, add an extra thin layer of pesto to the other side of each slice as well.

2. Top one unbuttered side of the bread with your favorite amount of cheese. Melty Muenster is Wilson’s top choice, but she also recommends Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Gouda, Fontina, Old Cheddar, American cheese, or a mix of all or part.

3. Now it’s time to choose your second ingredient of choice to play center stage: a few slices of crispy bacon was our first choice, but Wilson also suggests Caramelized onions (which is next on the must-have list!), or thin slices of ham, apples or pears.

4. Add the other slice of bread on top, buttered side out. In the presence of the heat from the pan, “those pesto flavors will sizzle tons of flavor on the outside of our sandwich,” says Wilson.

5. In a skillet over medium-low heat, grill the sandwich until the underside is lightly browned. Flip and cook until second side is golden brown and cheese is gooey. Use a spatula to transfer the cooked grilled cheese to a cutting board for 3 minutes to let the cheese cool enough so you don’t burn your mouth. Slice, if desired, and enjoy dipped in tomato soup or bisque for the ultimate midday meal that tastes gourmet but takes less than 15 minutes.

If you too are looking for a simple yet restaurant-worthy way to upgrade your grilled cheese, check out the Pesto Butter Grilled Cheese recipe here. This sandwich makes money for the reigning gold medalist: Ina Garten’s “Ultimate” Grilled Cheese. It’s too tasty to skip!

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Read the original article on Southern Living.