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.

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

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!

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

Recipe

Butternut Squash and Sage Grilled Cheese

This grilled cheese is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings:

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.