Italian Lasagna Grilled Cheese Delight
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food mash-up with this Italian Lasagna Grilled Cheese Delight. This scrumptious sandwich combines layers of rich, savory Italian sausage, bursting cherry tomatoes, and creamy ricotta cheese, all nestled between thick slices of buttery, garlic-infused sourdough bread. Melting mozzarella brings it all together, creating a tantalizing blend of flavors reminiscent of classic lasagna while delivering the crispy, gooey satisfaction of a grilled cheese. Pair it with warm marinara sauce for a delightful dipping experience that will make your taste buds dance!
4
Servings
525
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
hot Italian sausages or sweet Italian sausages
2 (removed from casing)
cherry tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (divided)
black pepper
3/4 teaspoon (divided)
Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon (divided)
part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup (none)
fresh basil
4 tablespoons (chopped)
fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (none)
unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (softened)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
thick slices sourdough bread
8 (none)
shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (none)
store-bought marinara sauce
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon.
2
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil with the halved cherry tomatoes. Season them with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and start to burst.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, chopped basil, fresh lemon juice, and the remaining salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4
In another medium bowl, mix the softened butter and minced garlic until they form a smooth paste.
5
To assemble the sandwiches, lay out 4 slices of sourdough bread on a clean surface. Generously brush each slice with 3 tablespoons of the garlic butter mix on one side. Flip the bread over so the buttered side is down.
6
Layer each slice with 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, followed by a generous spread of the ricotta mixture. Add a layer of the cooked sausage and top it off with the sautéed tomatoes and another 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.
7
Finish by topping each sandwich with another slice of sourdough bread, buttered side up. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
8
Cook the sandwiches in batches, grilling them for about 3 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted. Remove from the skillet and slice in half.
9
Serve the sandwiches warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Nutrition Information
33.8g
Fat
45g
Carbs
21g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Italian Lasagna Grilled Cheese Delight?
It is a comfort food mash-up that combines the savory elements of Italian lasagna, such as sausage and ricotta, within a garlic-infused sourdough grilled cheese sandwich.
What kind of bread is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for thick slices of sourdough bread to provide a sturdy and flavorful base.
Can I use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot?
Yes, the recipe allows for either hot Italian sausages or sweet Italian sausages depending on your spice preference.
How are the cherry tomatoes prepared?
The cherry tomatoes are halved and then sautéed in olive oil with Italian seasoning until they soften and start to burst.
What ingredients are in the ricotta mixture?
The mixture consists of part-skim ricotta cheese, chopped fresh basil, fresh lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
How do I make the garlic butter for the bread?
Mix 6 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves until a smooth paste is formed.
Is there a recommended dipping sauce?
Yes, the sandwiches are intended to be served with warm store-bought marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving of this lasagna grilled cheese contains 525 calories.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
Which cheeses are used in this sandwich?
The recipe uses a combination of shredded mozzarella, part-skim ricotta, and grated parmesan cheese.
How long does it take to cook the Italian sausage?
The sausage should be cooked for 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked through.
Why is lemon juice added to the ricotta?
Fresh lemon juice is added to provide a bright, acidic balance to the creamy ricotta and savory sausage.
How long should each side of the sandwich be grilled?
Each side should be grilled for about 3 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Do I butter the inside or the outside of the bread?
The garlic butter is brushed on one side of each slice, and that buttered side faces outward (down in the pan) to create a crispy crust.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 21 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 33.8 grams per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in one sandwich?
Each serving contains 45 grams of carbohydrates.
What seasonings are used for the tomatoes?
The tomatoes are seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves for the butter mixture.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 15 total ingredients used in this recipe.
How do I layer the sandwich?
Layer mozzarella first, then the ricotta mixture, followed by the cooked sausage, sautéed tomatoes, and a final layer of mozzarella.
What temperature should the skillet be for grilling the sandwiches?
The skillet or griddle should be heated over medium heat for grilling.
How much butter is used per sandwich?
Each of the four sandwiches uses approximately 1.5 tablespoons of garlic butter, divided between the two outer sides of the bread.
Is the sausage cooked with or without the casing?
The sausage should be removed from its casing before cooking so it can be broken apart into crumbles.
What size of sourdough bread slices should I use?
The recipe specifies thick slices of sourdough bread to ensure the sandwich holds the heavy fillings.
Can I use fresh basil?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 4 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil.
How many cherry tomatoes are needed?
You will need 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, which are then halved.
Does the recipe include fiber or sugar data?
No, the fiber and sugar values are listed as null in the provided nutritional information.
How much marinara sauce should be served?
The recipe suggests having 1 cup of store-bought marinara sauce available for dipping across the 4 servings.
Is olive oil used in the bread preparation?
No, olive oil is used for cooking the sausage and tomatoes, while butter is used for grilling the bread.