Caprese Grilled Cheese Dippers

Golden, melty sandwiches with mozzarella, tomato, and basil, sliced into strips for dipping in warm marinara.

# What You Need:

01 - 8 slices sourdough or country white bread

02 - 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced

03 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

04 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced

05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

06 - 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed

07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

08 - 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing bread)

01 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.

02 - Lay out bread slices and spread butter on one side of each slice.

03 - On unbuttered side of half the slices, layer mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

04 - Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out. Optionally brush olive oil on outside for extra crispness.

05 - Place sandwiches in skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is melted.

06 - Remove sandwiches and let cool for 1–2 minutes. Slice each into 3–4 strips. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

01 -

The way the warm mozzarella creates those perfect cheese pulls when you dip strips into marinara sauce is absolutely addictive
They come together in under 20 minutes but taste like something from a fancy Italian restaurant

02 -

Medium heat is your friend here because high heat burns the bread before the cheese melts properly
Ideally slice the mozzarella about a quarter inch thick so it melts completely without oozing out the sides

03 -

Patting tomato slices dry with paper towels prevents the bread from getting soggy, a mistake I made my first few times
A light brush of olive oil on the outside creates extra restaurant level crispiness that people will notice