Description

Stanley Tucci’s Favourite Sandwich is a deliciously melty, savory sandwich featuring a combination of fresh mozzarella, grated cheese, basil pesto, and prosciutto layered between crusty sourdough bread. Pan-fried to golden perfection with a buttery, crunchy exterior, this sandwich offers a perfect balance of creamy, salty, and herby flavors making it an irresistible comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

2 slices good sourdough or crusty bread

Cheeses

1/2 ball fresh mozzarella
1 handful grated cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyere

Meat & Herbs

3 slices prosciutto
4–5 fresh basil leaves
2 tbsp fresh basil pesto

Others

Butter, for spreading and frying
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the bread and cheese layers: Heat a pan over low-medium heat. Take the first slice of bread and spread a generous layer of butter on one side. Flip the slice over so the buttered side is down in the pan. Layer grated mozzarella (or your chosen grated cheese) on top of the bread.
Add prosciutto and fresh mozzarella: Next, layer the 3 slices of prosciutto over the grated cheese followed by slices of fresh mozzarella. Then add the fresh basil leaves evenly on top.
Spread pesto and season: Spoon the 2 tablespoons of fresh basil pesto evenly over the top of the assembled ingredients. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.
Top and butter the sandwich: Place the second slice of bread on top of the sandwich, completing the layering. Spread butter generously on the top side of this slice.
Cook the sandwich: Place the sandwich in the preheated pan. Cook for about 5 minutes on one side until the bread is golden brown and crunchy. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another 5 minutes. The cheese inside should be fully melted and gooey.
Serve hot: Once cooked, remove from the pan, slice if desired, and serve immediately while warm and melty.

Notes

You can substitute the grated cheese with any blend of your favorite melty cheeses like gouda or fontina for variation.
Use good quality sourdough or rustic bread for optimal crunch and flavor.
Adjust the amount of pesto and basil to your taste preference for a stronger or milder herb flavor.
Butter the bread generously to ensure a crispy, golden crust.
Cook on low-medium heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts.
For a vegetarian option, omit the prosciutto.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Sandwich
Method: Pan-frying
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 22 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg

Keywords: Stanley Tucci sandwich, mozzarella sandwich, prosciutto sandwich, basil pesto sandwich, melty cheese sandwich, sourdough sandwich