Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach, and Ricotta Grilled Cheese Recipe
A delicious and creamy grilled cheese sandwich featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and ricotta cheese paired with mozzarella or provolone for a perfect melt. This recipe offers a flavorful twist on the classic grilled cheese, combining fresh and savory ingredients toasted to golden perfection in a skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Courses
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich Ingredients
- 4 slices bread (sourdough, whole grain, or artisan loaf)
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or rehydrated), chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 tsp garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or fresh basil
For Toasting
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with salt, black pepper, and any optional seasonings such as garlic powder or red pepper flakes to taste, creating a flavorful spread.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous layer of the ricotta mixture onto one side of each bread slice. On two of the slices, layer the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and mozzarella or provolone cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, ricotta side down, to form the sandwiches.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and melt the butter or drizzle olive oil evenly across the surface to prepare for grilling.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Place the assembled sandwiches in the heated skillet. Grill them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve Warm: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half if desired, and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- Use thick artisan bread for better structure and crispness when grilling.
- Ricotta cheese adds creaminess but does not melt as well, so pairing it with mozzarella or provolone provides the desired melt factor.
- Fresh spinach does not need to be pre-cooked; it wilts nicely during the grilling process.
- A panini press works very well as an alternative to skillet grilling for even grilling and optimal melting.
- Leftover sandwiches can be stored wrapped in foil and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: grilled cheese, sun-dried tomato, spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, sandwich, easy recipe, skillet grilled cheese, vegetarian
