This Bolognese Sandwich is easy, super cheesy, and a great way to use up leftover bolognese when you are tired of pasta. You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this sandwich and it takes less than 10 minutes.
If you stumbled upon this recipe and you do not have leftover bolognese on hand, try my Creamy Bolognese Recipe. It is incredible!
This bolognese grilled cheese sandwich is delicious served for lunch with a side salad like my Kale Crunch Salad or Panera Greek Salad.
If you love sandwich recipes, try my BLT sliders or King's Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This bolognese sandwich recipe is a great way to use up leftover bolognese, especially if it was a large batch and you have already served it with pasta.
- The sourdough bread for this easy bolognese sandwich is buttered generously and grilled to perfection.
- This sandwich is piled high with two different types of cheeses, provolone and mozzarella. It is kind of like a bolognese grilled cheese.
- This bolognese grilled cheese sandwich takes less than 10 minutes to make.
- This meat sauce sandwich recipe is kid friendly and perfect for an easy lunch or dinner with a side of potato chips or french fries.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Sourdough Bread: Sourdough bread is one of my favorites for grilled sandwiches, but you can use whatever you have on hand, even regular white sandwich bread. Thick cut bread holds up better for this hearty sandwich.
- Cheese: I like to use a combination of cheeses, but since this recipe is all about using leftovers, use any white cheese you have in your fridge. Swiss is a great option too!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make a Bolognese Sandwich
Quick Overview
- Warm up the leftover bolognese.
- Butter the bread.
- Assemble the bolognese sandwich.
- Grill on each side like a grilled cheese sandwich.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Warm up the leftover bolognese on the stove over medium low or in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring occasionally. Do not add any liquid to the sauce. It is best if it dries out a little.
Step 2: Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Step 3: Heat a nonstick pan over medium low heat. Place one slice of bread into the pan buttered side down.
The bread should be completely coated with butter.
Step 4: Place 2 slices of cheese on the bread in the pan, breaking if needed to fit. Add the bolognese on top of the cheese.
Step 5: Repeat with the rest of the cheese on top of the bolognese.
Step 6: Finally, place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese. Grill for a few minutes or until golden.
Step 7: Flip the sandwich and grill the other side. Cover with a lid if needed to melt the cheese.
The bread should be golden brown.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Butter the bread generously. This makes the bread super moist and flavorful. It also helps the bread get golden and toasted on the outside.
- The bolognese should dry out a tad. Usually when reheating bolognese, I recommend adding a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce because it can dry out in the refrigerator. You do not want to do this for the bolognese sandwich. A drier sauce prevents the bread from getting soggy.
- Do not use too much bolognese. I found a ½ cup was the perfect amount for the size of bread I used. Too much bolognese will make the sandwich soggy and difficult to eat.
- Go heavy on the cheese. Four slices is the perfect amount of cheese. Don’t skimp.
- Cook the sandwich low and slow. I like to grill sandwiches on low to medium low heat so that the cheese has plenty of time to melt, but the bread does not burn. If the bread has already browned, but the cheese hasn’t melted, turn the heat down as low as possible and cover the pan. The steam that builds up will help melt the cheese faster.
- Add pesto. Spread a little basil pesto on the inside of each slice of bread. This adds so much flavor.
- Try garlic butter. Using a garlic press, press one clove of garlic into the butter. Mash together with a fork and use this on the outside of the bread.
Recipe FAQs
Parmesan, mozzarella, provolone, or ricotta are all cheeses that pair well with bolognese. These cheeses are often used in the sauce or in pasta dishes with bolognese. The mild flavor of these cheeses does not overpower the bolognese.
Bolognese definitely goes with pasta (spaghetti bolognese) and bread. I like to pair it with a simple salad too to add something fresh.
Bolognese is a tomato based sauce with ground meats. It is typically slow cooked so it can develop flavor and finished with cheese and cream.
There is typically ground beef in bolognese. I like to use a mixture of beef, Italian sausage, and pancetta.
More Italian Recipes
Leftover Bolognese Sandwich
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup leftover bolognese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 medium slices thick cut sourdough bread*
- 2 slices provolone cheese
- 2 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Warm up the leftover bolognese on the stove over medium low or in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring occasionally. Do not add any liquid to the sauce. It is best if it dries out a little.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium low heat. Place one slice of bread into the pan buttered side down.
- Place 2 slices of cheese on the bread in the pan, breaking if needed to fit. Add the bolognese on top of the cheese.
- Repeat with the rest of the cheese on top of the bolognese.
- Finally, place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese. Grill for a few minutes or until golden.
- Flip the sandwich and grill the other side. Cover with a lid if needed to melt the cheese.
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