- Prepare the garlic butter:
- Mix room temperature butter with finely minced fresh garlic and chopped basil until completely incorporated. This aromatic spread is what transforms ordinary bread into extraordinary garlic bread. The butter needs to be perfectly soft for even distribution without tearing the bread.
- Cook the pasta:
- Boil angel hair pasta in generously salted water until just al dente about 2 minutes less than package directions. The pasta will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce and during grilling so slightly undercooked pasta works best. Drain thoroughly to prevent a soggy sandwich.
- Create the filling:
- Toss the hot drained pasta with bolognese sauce ensuring every strand is evenly coated. The heat from the pasta will warm the sauce creating the perfect filling consistency. Mix gently to maintain pasta integrity while distributing sauce evenly.
- Assemble the sandwich:
- Place one garlic buttered bread slice butter side down and layer with mozzarella pasta mixture and more mozzarella before topping with the second buttered bread slice. The cheese placement is strategic with layers both below and above the pasta to create a sealed environment that prevents filling from escaping.
- Grill to perfection:
- Cook the sandwich over medium low heat covered for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is completely melted. The covered cooking creates an oven like environment ensuring the cheese melts thoroughly while the exterior achieves the perfect crispy texture.
The fresh mozzarella is truly the star ingredient in this recipe. I once made this sandwich for my Italian neighbor who declared it better than his grandmother’s grilled cheese. He specifically mentioned how the fresh mozzarella created that authentic stretchy cheese experience that reminded him of his childhood in Naples.
Perfect Pasta Selection
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