This sandwich has all the melted, cheesy flavor of grilled cheese, but with added benefits. Whole wheat bread provides filling fiber, avocado slices add healthy monounsaturated fats and a punch of antioxidants, and tomato adds a dose of lycopene. Extra virgin olive oil replaces butter and incorporates heart-healthy fats into this lunchbox staple.

Tomato and Avocado Grilled Cheese

Photo by Caitlin Covington

Serves 1

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
2 slices whole wheat bread
2 slices sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 an avocado, sliced
1/2 a tomato, sliced

What to Do:

1. Heat a pan over medium-low heat. (Or plug in the Panini press!)
2. Brush olive oil onto one side of a bread slice and lay into a pan, oil side down.
3. Assemble the sandwich. (Bread, cheese, avocado, tomato, cheese, topped with a second slice of bread works best!)
4. Lightly brush the top slice of bread with the remaining oil.
5. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until bread turns golden brown and cheese begins to melt.
6. Flip, and cook on the other side until bread is browned and cheese is completely melted.