Tuscan Grill Cheese Sandwich USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers

We added tomatoes, spinach and Italian spices to a classic grilled cheese to create our Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Sure to become a favorite!
CACFP CREDITING INFORMATION
1 sandwich provides 0.5 oz equivalent meat alternate, ¹⁄4 cup vegetable, and 2.0 oz equivalent grains.
2 from 2 votes
Add to Cookbook https://theicn.org/cnrb/cnrbstaging2022/pdfs/cacfp/Tuscan-Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich_25-50_center.pdf

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Ingredients
 

25 Servings

    Weight

    • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
    • - - Garlic powder
    • - - Dried basil
    • - - Dried oregano
    • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
    • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
    • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
    • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

    Measure

    • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
    • 1 tsp Garlic powder
    • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
    • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
    • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
    • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
    • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
    • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

    50 Servings

      Weight

      • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
      • - - Garlic powder
      • - - Dried basil
      • - - Dried oregano
      • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
      • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
      • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
      • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

      Measure

      • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
      • 2 tsp Garlic powder
      • 1 tsp Dried basil
      • 1 tsp Dried oregano
      • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
      • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
      • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
      • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

      Quantity
       

      25 Servings

        Weight

        • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
        • - - Garlic powder
        • - - Dried basil
        • - - Dried oregano
        • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
        • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
        • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
        • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

        Measure

        • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
        • 1 tsp Garlic powder
        • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
        • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
        • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
        • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
        • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
        • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

        50 Servings

          Weight

          • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
          • - - Garlic powder
          • - - Dried basil
          • - - Dried oregano
          • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
          • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
          • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
          • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

          Measure

          • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
          • 2 tsp Garlic powder
          • 1 tsp Dried basil
          • 1 tsp Dried oregano
          • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
          • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
          • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
          • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

          Ingredients
           

          25 Servings

            Weight

            • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
            • - - Garlic powder
            • - - Dried basil
            • - - Dried oregano
            • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
            • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
            • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
            • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

            Measure

            • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
            • 1 tsp Garlic powder
            • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
            • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
            • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
            • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
            • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
            • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

            50 Servings

              Weight

              • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
              • - - Garlic powder
              • - - Dried basil
              • - - Dried oregano
              • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
              • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
              • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
              • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

              Measure

              • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
              • 2 tsp Garlic powder
              • 1 tsp Dried basil
              • 1 tsp Dried oregano
              • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
              • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
              • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
              • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

              Quantity
               

              25 Servings

                Weight

                • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                • - - Garlic powder
                • - - Dried basil
                • - - Dried oregano
                • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                Measure

                • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                50 Servings

                  Weight

                  • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                  • - - Garlic powder
                  • - - Dried basil
                  • - - Dried oregano
                  • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                  • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                  • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                  • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                  Measure

                  • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                  • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                  • 1 tsp Dried basil
                  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                  • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                  • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                  • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                  • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced
                  *See Marketing Guide

                  Ingredients
                   

                  25 Servings

                    Weight

                    • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                    • - - Garlic powder
                    • - - Dried basil
                    • - - Dried oregano
                    • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                    • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                    • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                    • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                    Measure

                    • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                    • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                    • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                    • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                    • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                    • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                    • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                    • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                    50 Servings

                      Weight

                      • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                      • - - Garlic powder
                      • - - Dried basil
                      • - - Dried oregano
                      • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                      • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                      • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                      • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                      Measure

                      • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                      • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                      • 1 tsp Dried basil
                      • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                      • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                      • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                      • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                      • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                      Quantity
                       

                      25 Servings

                        Weight

                        • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                        • - - Garlic powder
                        • - - Dried basil
                        • - - Dried oregano
                        • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                        • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                        • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                        • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                        Measure

                        • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                        • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                        • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                        • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                        • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                        • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                        • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                        • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                        50 Servings

                          Weight

                          • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                          • - - Garlic powder
                          • - - Dried basil
                          • - - Dried oregano
                          • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                          • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                          • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                          • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                          Measure

                          • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                          • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                          • 1 tsp Dried basil
                          • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                          • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                          • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                          • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                          • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced
                          *See Marketing Guide

                          Ingredients
                           

                          25 Servings

                            Weight

                            • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                            • - - Garlic powder
                            • - - Dried basil
                            • - - Dried oregano
                            • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                            • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                            • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                            • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                            Measure

                            • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                            • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                            • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                            • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                            • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                            • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                            • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                            • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                            50 Servings

                              Weight

                              • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                              • - - Garlic powder
                              • - - Dried basil
                              • - - Dried oregano
                              • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                              • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                              • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                              • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                              Measure

                              • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                              • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                              • 1 tsp Dried basil
                              • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                              • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                              • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                              • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                              • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                              Quantity
                               

                              25 Servings

                                Weight

                                • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                • - - Garlic powder
                                • - - Dried basil
                                • - - Dried oregano
                                • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                Measure

                                • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                                • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                                • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                                • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                                • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                50 Servings

                                  Weight

                                  • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                  • - - Garlic powder
                                  • - - Dried basil
                                  • - - Dried oregano
                                  • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                  • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                  • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                  • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                  Measure

                                  • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                                  • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                                  • 1 tsp Dried basil
                                  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                                  • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                  • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                  • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                  • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced
                                  *See Marketing Guide

                                  Ingredients
                                   

                                  25 Servings

                                    Weight

                                    • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                    • - - Garlic powder
                                    • - - Dried basil
                                    • - - Dried oregano
                                    • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                    • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                    • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                    • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                    Measure

                                    • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                                    • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                                    • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                                    • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                                    • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                    • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                    • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                    • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                    50 Servings

                                      Weight

                                      • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                      • - - Garlic powder
                                      • - - Dried basil
                                      • - - Dried oregano
                                      • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                      • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                      • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                      • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                      Measure

                                      • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                                      • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                                      • 1 tsp Dried basil
                                      • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                                      • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                      • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                      • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                      • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                      Quantity
                                       

                                      25 Servings

                                        Weight

                                        • 3 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                        • - - Garlic powder
                                        • - - Dried basil
                                        • - - Dried oregano
                                        • 3 lb 2 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                        • 12¹⁄2 oz Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                        • 1 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                        • 1 lb 9 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                        Measure

                                        • ¹⁄4 cup 2 Tbsp Margarine, trans-fat free
                                        • 1 tsp Garlic powder
                                        • ¹⁄2 tsp Dried basil
                                        • 1⁄2 tsp Dried oregano
                                        • 50 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                        • 25 each Low fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                        • 1 qt 2 cups 3 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                        • 25 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                        50 Servings

                                          Weight

                                          • 6 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                          • - - Garlic powder
                                          • - - Dried basil
                                          • - - Dried oregano
                                          • 6 lb 4 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                          • 1 lb 9 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                          • 2 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                          • 3 lb 2 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                          Measure

                                          • ¾ cup Margarine, trans-fat free
                                          • 2 tsp Garlic powder
                                          • 1 tsp Dried basil
                                          • 1 tsp Dried oregano
                                          • 100 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                          • 50 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                          • 3 qt ¼ cup 2 Tbsp *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                          • 50 each *Fresh tomatoes, sliced
                                          *See Marketing Guide

                                          Instructions
                                           

                                          • Melt margarine in a large stock pot.
                                          • Add garlic, basil, and oregano. Stir well. Set aside for step 8.
                                          • Place bread slices on a sheet pan (18′′ x 26′′ x 1′′) heavily coated with butter flavored pan release spray.
                                            For 25 servings, use 2 pans (20 slices on 1 pan and 5 slices on 1 pan).
                                            For 50 servings, use 3 pans (20 slices on 2 pans and 10 slices on 1 pan).
                                          • Place 1 cheese slice (about ¹⁄2 oz) on top of each slice of bread.
                                          • Place ²⁄3 cup spinach (about ³⁄5 oz) on top of cheese.
                                          • Place 1 tomato slice (about 1 oz) on top of spinach.
                                          • Place 1 slice of bread on top of each sandwich.
                                          • Brush the top of each sandwich with margarine mixture.
                                          • Bake until lightly browned:
                                            Conventional oven: 400 °F for 15–20 minutes.
                                            Convection oven: 350 °F for 10–15 minutes.
                                          • Critical Control Point: Heat to 165 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
                                          • Critical Control Point: Hold for hot service at 140 °F or higher.
                                          • Serve 1 sandwich.

                                          Nutrition INFORMATION

                                          Nutrition Facts
                                          Tuscan Grill Cheese Sandwich USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers
                                          Amount Per Serving 1 sandwich
                                          Calories 143 Calories from Fat 45
                                          % Daily Value*
                                          Total Fat 5g8%
                                          Saturated Fat 2g13%
                                          Cholesterol 7mg2%
                                          Sodium 301mg13%
                                          Potassium 69mg2%
                                          Total Carbohydrates 21g7%
                                          Dietary Fiber 6g25%
                                          Total Sugars 3g3%
                                          Protein 9g18%
                                          Vitamin D 15IU100%
                                          Calcium 162mg16%
                                          Iron 1mg6%
                                          *
                                          *Marketing Guide
                                          25 Servings:

                                          Spinach: 1 lb

                                          Tomatoes: 1 lb 14 oz

                                          50 Servings:

                                          Spinach: 2 lb

                                          Tomatoes: 3 lb 12 oz

                                          Notes

                                          *See Marketing Guide for purchasing information on foods that will change during preparation or when a variation of the ingredients is available.
                                          Cooking Process #2: Same Day Service.
                                          Yield / Volume
                                          25 Servings:

                                          About 7 lb 1 oz

                                          About 3 qt 2⅛ cups/25 sandwiches

                                          50 Servings:

                                          About 14 lb 2 oz

                                          About 1 gal 3 qt ¼ cup/50 sandwiches