What's for Dinner Tonight? - Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese

Growing up our mother would make grilled cheese sandwiches and serve them with a hot bowl of soup. Even now as an adult, there is something very comforting about a warm grilled cheese sandwich; almost feels like home and brings back fond memories. I recently found this recipe from Karina at Café Delites, that takes a traditional staple and turns it into something amazing! Once you try this grilled cheese, I'm sure it will added to your recipe collection as it has mine.

Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/3 cup ricotta cheese (regular or reduced fat)

1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

sea salt and cracked pepper, to taste

dried oregano and basil, to taste

1/4 cup grated light mozzarella cheese (or fresh thinly sliced)

4 thick slices sourdough bread

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup of your favorite marinara sauce

1. In a medium sized skillet, sauté the garlic in a small amount of olive oil (or light cooking spray), until just fragrant (about 30-60 seconds) over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat; add the garlic to a small bowl; set skillet aside.

2. Add the ricotta cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese, salt/pepper, oregano and basil to the sautéed garlic and mix until well combined.

3. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Divide ricotta mixture in half and spread it on the unbuttered sides of the two slices of bread; divide the mozzarella cheese in half and add it over the ricotta mixture; top with the remaining two slices of bread - buttered side up to create the sandwiches.

4. Return the skillet to the stove over medium heat and place the sandwiches in the pan. Cook, turning once, until the cheese has melted and both sides are golden brown (about 3-4 minutes per side).

5. Sprinkle with extra oregano and basil if desired and serve with the marinara sauce.