This ooey-gooey Broccoli Rabe and Provolone Grilled Cheese makes the perfect dinner ... try it tonight!
Sometimes, my husband goes out to pick up dinner, and I tell him to get whatever looks good.
I never really know what he'll bring back, but he knows my taste pretty well and about 95% of the time it's something really delicious. The other 5% of the time, I eat it and cross my fingers he won't get that again!
A couple weeks ago, he came home with the best grilled cheese that I'd had in a long time. I immediately knew that I'd be recreating it, and that's how this Broccoli Rabe and Provolone Grilled Cheese Sandwich came about.
Broccoli Rabe and Provolone Grilled Cheese
You are going to love this grilled cheese! It does take a little more effort than the standard American cheese and white bread variety, but not a lot, and it's definitely worth it.
If you've never cooked with broccoli rabe (sometimes called rapini), this recipe is a good place to start.
Broccoli rabe has a bitter taste if not cooked properly, so don't skip the blanching step. It makes all the difference.
Choose a bread with a firm texture and crunchy crust (I used a round Italian loaf) that will stand up to the garlicky broccoli rabe and smoky provolone.
Together, these simple ingredients make one great sandwich!
Broccoli Rabe and Provolone Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 bunch broccoli rabe
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus extra for sandwich assembly
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt
- 8 slices good-quality bread
- 16 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil, then drop in broccoli rabe and cook for one minute.
- Drain broccoli rabe in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool. Using your hands, squeeze as much water out of the broccoli as possible.
- Roughly chop the broccoli, removing large stems.
- Heat olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat.
- Saute garlic and crushed red pepper flakes in oil until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add broccoli rabe to pan and heat through. Then remove pan from heat and season to taste with salt.
Assemble sandwiches:
- Place 1 slice of cheese on a piece of bread.
- Top cheese with a ¼ of the broccoli rabe and then another slice of cheese.
- Cover cheese with another slice of bread. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Brush outside of sandwiches with a little olive oil.
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Place sandwiches in pan and cook on one side until golden brown. Flip and cook on other side until golden.
- Remove from pan and serve. Enjoy!
When was the last time you had grilled cheese?
These look absolutely wonderful
Thank you so much, Magny!
Oh Ginnie, this looks amazing! I can't wait to try it!
What a healthy sandwich! Thanks for sharing this at my fabulous friday Party
Maria
Stopping by from Strut Your Stuff link party. What a great way to make it healthier. Going to try this and see if I can sneak it past the kids. Thanks for sharing!
Oh dear. These look absolutely delightful; I love reinventing classic recipes! :] // itsCarmen.com ☼
Yum! Like broccoli cheese soup and grilled cheese, all rolled into one! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Absolutely love broccoli rabe and this looks fantastic! Pinned! Thanks so much for sharing at The Wednesday Roundup! Hope to see you again next week! ~Angela @ LeMoine Family Kitchen
We really love broccoli and this is a GREAT sandwich
I'd eat it any time 🙂
Oh boy, this grilled cheese looks incredible Ginnie! Love broccoli rabe and can't wait to try this - pinning 🙂
Thanks for the recipe for this sandwich! My family loves broccoli rabe! I pinned and will try sometime!
Julie
This looks like such a yummy sandwich~now I am hungry. Have a great day!