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    Home » Vegetarian Recipes

    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese

    Lindsay Moe

    872 shares

    This Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese is an unusual but delicious twist on a grilled cheese sandwich!

    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese cut in half on a cutting board.
    Jump to Recipe

    I know I teased this recipe weeks ago, but it’s finally here!

    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese cut in half on a cutting board.

    Actually, I’m hitting you with another non-recipe recipe because life is hard and we don’t need to make it harder! You know how to make a sandwich, I’m simply here for inspiration. Obviously you can double, triple, quadruple, or whatever it to feed as many people as necessary.

    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese cut in half on a cutting board with the two halves stacked on top of each other.

    I use my Cuisinart Griddler for all my toasty sandwich needs, but you could use any similar contraption. If you don’t have a panini press feel free to toast it in a skillet on the stovetop or pop the whole thing in the oven for a few minutes on a baking sheet.

    This is the sandwich all my winter dreams are made of. I can never just do a plain old grilled cheese sandwich, I like to jazz it up a little bit. And this butternut squash and sage pesto grilled cheese sandwich is about as jazzy as it comes. It has such a rich, caramelized flavor and is full of healthy, comforting ingredients.

    A hand holding part of a Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese.

    This sandwich is so easy to customize! Here are a few ideas:

    • Toss in some leafy greens like baby spinach or kale
    • Use whatever cheese you have on hand like mozzarella or provolone
    • Drizzle the inside with a balsamic reduction
    • Add any of your favorite roasted veggies to the filling such as carrots, zucchini, or eggplant
    • Swap out the butternut squash and sage pesto for your other favorite pesto (like basil, pistachio, arugula, or spinach)
    • Add crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha to spice it up

    Do you have a signature way to spice up a grilled cheese sandwich? Let me know!

    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese cut in half on a cutting board with the two halves stacked on top of each other.

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese cut in half on a cutting board.

    Butternut Squash and Sage Grilled Cheese

    This grilled cheese is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 626kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 2 slices good quality bread, I like the sourdough from a local bakery, or the Market Pantry bread from Target
    • Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto
    • ½ cup shredded Fontina cheese
    • Caramelized onions, optional
    • Roasted butternut squash or other winter vegetables, optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat a panini press to medium-high heat.
    • Lightly oil one side of a piece of bread and spread the other side with a thin layer of pesto. Place the bread on the hot grill oil side down. Top with half the cheese, a small layer of caramelized onions, and a scoop or roasted squash, if using. Top with the remaining cheese. Spread the remaining slice of bread with another thin layer of pesto and place pesto side down on the sandwich. Lightly oil the top of the sandwich and close the top of the panini press. Allow to cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty, about five minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 1184mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 605IU | Calcium: 419mg | Iron: 4.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!
    Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Grilled Cheese - Woah! This grilled cheese sandwich combines all my comfort food dreams! Full recipe at theliveinkitchen.com

    More Vegetarian Recipes

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    • Instant Pot Wild Rice
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      February 23, 2017 at 9:20 pm

      NICE! Definitely a delicious jazzed up grilled cheese! That pesto!!

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        February 24, 2017 at 3:18 pm

        Thanks Patricia!

        Reply
    2. Maria says

      February 23, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      This grilled cheese looks insanely good.

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        February 24, 2017 at 3:16 pm

        Thanks Maria!

        Reply
    3. David @ Cooking Chat says

      February 24, 2017 at 7:10 am

      5 stars
      Yum! I love grilled cheese and the creative flavors you’ve added to it.

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        February 24, 2017 at 3:17 pm

        Thanks David, grilled cheese is the best, right?!

        Reply
    4. nicole says

      February 27, 2017 at 7:22 am

      sometimes there is nothing better in the world than a grilled cheese sandwich. perfect!

      Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

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    872 shares