Cheddar & Pear Panini

Name: Cheddar & Pear Panini
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons mango chutney; 1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayonnaise; 4 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread; 3 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese thinly sliced, divided; ¼ of pear or apple, thinly sliced; Cooking spray

Servings

2 sandwiches

With a crispy crust and melted cheese filling, this cheddar and pear panini recipe makes a perfect lunch or light supper. If you’re not 100% sure how to make a panini, you’ll be a pro in no time with our easy to follow directions below! This panini recipe can be made using a skillet, however, if you own a panini press or contact grill (aka George Foreman Grill), grilling the sandwiches will be even more of a breeze. Share the recipe with friends and family on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

If using a panini press or contact grill, preheat it to low.

Mix chutney and mayonnaise and spread over 4 slices of bread. Place half of the Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar cheese slices on 2 slices of bread, top with pear slices, remaining cheese and bread slices, chutney-side down. Spritz both sides of sandwiches with cooking spray.

Place sandwiches in panini press or contact grill, if using, and cook 4 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and cheese has melted.

Alternatively, heat a skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in skillet, set a piece of foil on top, then weigh with a heavy saucepan or smaller skillet. Add a few unopened food cans for extra weight, if needed. (Note: Pressing the sandwiches with a weight makes them extra crispy!) Cook 2 to 4 minutes, or until underside has browned. Turn and cook 2 to 4 minutes more. Once ready, cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

Be sure to try our delicious panini recipe variations below!

Looking for another tasty, cheesy sandwich? Try this yummy Cheesy Turkey and Cranberry Melts. Cabot is owned by New York and New England farm families who work hard to ensure that all our products are made using only the finest ingredients. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please rate and review this cheddar pear panini recipe after making it.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons mango chutney
1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayonnaise
4 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
3 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese thinly sliced, divided
¼ of pear or apple, thinly sliced
Cooking spray

Directions

PREHEAT a panini press or contact grill to low, if using.
MIX chutney and mayonnaise; spread over 4 slices bread. Place half the cheese on 2 slices bread. Top with pear slices, remaining cheese and bread slices, chutney-side down. Spritz both sides of sandwiches with cooking spray.
PLACE sandwiches in panini press or contact grill. Cook 4 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and cheese has melted. Alternatively, heat a skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in skillet. Set a piece of foil on top, then weigh with a heavy saucepan or smaller skillet. Add a few unopened food cans for extra weight, if needed.
COOK 2 to 4 minutes, or until underside has browned. Turn and cook 2 to 4 minutes more. Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

Try these other variations on melted cheese paninis.

Cheese and Roasted Peppers Panini

For filling, use 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, 3 ounces Cabot Pepper Jack (thinly sliced), ¼ cup sliced bottled roasted red peppers and 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped cilantro. Mix mayonnaise and chili powder; spread over 4 slices bread. Place half of cheese on 2 slices bread. Top with peppers, cilantro, remaining cheese slices and remaining bread slices, mayonnaise-side down. Spritz sandwiches with cooking spray and grill as directed in Step 3 of master recipe.

Cheese and Avocado Panini

For filling, use 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, 3 ounces Cabot Pepper Jack (thinly sliced), ½ ripe but firm avocado (peeled and thinly sliced) and 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped cilantro. Mix mayonnaise and chili powder; spread over 4 slices bread. Place half of cheese on 2 slices bread. Top with avocado slices, cilantro, remaining cheese slices and remaining bread slices, mayonnaise-side down. Spritz sandwiches with cooking spray as directed in Step 3 of master recipe.