Back

Lunch

Vegetarian

281kcal

35m

Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Oct 2, 2026

Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich: a USDA child-care recipe for preschool menu planning. Original yield: 6 servings.

Preschool

11 g

Fat

30 g

Carbs

5 g

Sugar

526 mg

Sodium

16 g

Protein

281 kcal

Calories

Instructions

Total Time

35 min

STEP 01

Preheat oven:Conventional oven: 400 °FConvection oven: 350 °F

STEP 02

Melt margarine in a large saucepan.

STEP 03

Add garlic, basil, and oregano. Stir well. Set aside for step 10.

STEP 04

To prevent sticking, evenly coat a baking sheet (18” x 13” x 1”) with butter flavored pan release spray.

STEP 05

Place 12 bread slices on baking sheet.

STEP 06

Place 1 cheese slice (about 1 oz) on top of each slice of bread.

STEP 07

Place ²⁄3 cup spinach (about 10 leaves) on top of cheese.

STEP 08

Place 2 slices of tomatoes ¼” each on top of spinach.

STEP 09

Place 1 slice of bread on top of each sandwich.

STEP 10

Brush the top of each sandwich with margarine mixture.

STEP 11

Bake until lightly browned: Conventional oven: 400 °F for 15–20 minutes. Convection oven: 350 °F for 10–15 minutes.

STEP 12

Critical Control Point: Heat to 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.

STEP 13

Critical Control Point: Hold at 140 °F or higher until served.

STEP 14

Serve 1 sandwich.

Share This

Ingredient (6 servings)

Ingredients (original recipe yield)

Margarine, trans-fat free

1 oz

Garlic powder

¼ tsp

Dried basil

¼ tsp

Dried oregano

¼ tsp

Whole-grain bread, sliced

12 slices

Low fat mozzarella cheese

7 oz or 7 of 1 oz slices

Fresh baby spinach, leaves, divided evenly into 6 servings 10 leaves each

8 oz or ½ small bag

Fresh tomatoes, ¼” sliced evenly

12 oz or about 4 medium

Allergy Notice

Potential allergens to check: Milk, Wheat, Soy. Ingredient-based screening, not a certified allergen analysis. Check every packaged ingredient, substitution and cross-contact risk against the child's allergy plan.