Caprese Grilled Cheese Dippers (Printable)

Crispy mozzarella and tomato grilled strips perfect for dipping in warm marinara sauce.

# What you'll need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 8 slices sourdough or country white bread
02 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

→ Sauce

06 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

→ Seasonings

07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing bread)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
02 - Lay out all bread slices. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice.
03 - On the unbuttered side of half the slices, layer mozzarella slices, tomato slices, and fresh basil leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
04 - For extra crispness, lightly brush a small amount of olive oil on the exterior of each sandwich.
05 - Place sandwiches in the preheated skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Slice each sandwich into 3 or 4 strips.
07 - Arrange strips on a serving plate alongside a bowl of warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of warm melted mozzarella and bright fresh basil creates that perfect bite of comfort meets freshness
  • Dipping crispy sandwich strips into warm marinara feels like playing with your food but in the most sophisticated way possible
  • These come together in just 20 minutes but look like you put way more thought into them
02 -
  • Never skip the resting time after grilling, cutting immediately causes the cheese to escape and leaves you with empty bread strips
  • Pat your tomato slices dry with paper towels before layering, this prevents the bottom slice of bread from getting soggy while grilling
  • Medium low heat is better than medium high, slower cooking gives the cheese time to melt completely before the bread burns
03 -
  • Use a bread knife and a gentle sawing motion to cut the strips, pressing down too hard squishes out all that beautiful melted cheese
  • Preheat your oven to warm and keep the first batch hot while you finish grilling the rest
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