Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich USDA Recipe for Schools

Age Group: Ages 6-18
Serving Size: 50-100
We added tomatoes, spinach and Italian spices to a classic grilled cheese to create our Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Sure to become a favorite!
NSLP/SBP CREDITING INFORMATION
1 sandwich provides 0.5 oz equivalent meat alternate, ¹⁄8 cup dark green vegetable, ¹⁄8 cup red/orange vegetable, and 2.0 oz equivalent grains.
2.86 from 7 votes
Add to Cookbook https://theicn.org/cnrb/pdfs/schools/Tuscan-Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich.pdf

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Ingredients
 

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

    100 Servings

      Weight

      • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
      • - - Garlic powder
      • - - Dried basil
      • - - Dried oregano
      • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
      • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
      • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
      • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

      Measure

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

      Quantity
       

      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

        100 Servings

          Weight

          • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
          • - - Garlic powder
          • - - Dried basil
          • - - Dried oregano
          • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
          • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
          • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
          • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

          Measure

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

          Ingredients
           

          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

            100 Servings

              Weight

              • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
              • - - Garlic powder
              • - - Dried basil
              • - - Dried oregano
              • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
              • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
              • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
              • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

              Measure

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

              Quantity
               

              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

                100 Servings

                  Weight

                  • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                  • - - Garlic powder
                  • - - Dried basil
                  • - - Dried oregano
                  • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                  • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                  • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                  • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                  Measure

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

                  Ingredients
                   

                  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

                    100 Servings

                      Weight

                      • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                      • - - Garlic powder
                      • - - Dried basil
                      • - - Dried oregano
                      • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                      • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                      • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                      • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                      Measure

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

                      Quantity
                       

                      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

                        100 Servings

                          Weight

                          • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                          • - - Garlic powder
                          • - - Dried basil
                          • - - Dried oregano
                          • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                          • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                          • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                          • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                          Measure

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

                          Ingredients
                           

                          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

                            100 Servings

                              Weight

                              • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                              • - - Garlic powder
                              • - - Dried basil
                              • - - Dried oregano
                              • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                              • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                              • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                              • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                              Measure

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

                              Quantity
                               

                              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

                                100 Servings

                                  Weight

                                  • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                  • - - Garlic powder
                                  • - - Dried basil
                                  • - - Dried oregano
                                  • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                  • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                  • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                  • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                  Measure

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

                                  Ingredients
                                   

                                  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

                                    100 Servings

                                      Weight

                                      • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                      • - - Garlic powder
                                      • - - Dried basil
                                      • - - Dried oregano
                                      • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                      • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                      • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                      • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                      Measure

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

                                      Quantity
                                       

                                      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

                                        100 Servings

                                          Weight

                                          • 12 oz Margarine, trans-fat free
                                          • - - Garlic powder
                                          • - - Dried basil
                                          • - - Dried oregano
                                          • 12 lb 8 oz Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                          • 3 lb 2 oz Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                          • 4 lb *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                          • 6 lb 4 oz *Fresh tomatoes, sliced

                                          Measure

                                          • 1½ cups Margarine, trans-fat free
                                          • 1 Tbsp 1 tsp Garlic powder
                                          • 2 tsp Dried basil
                                          • 2 tsp Dried oregano
                                          • 200 each Whole-grain bread, sliced
                                          • 100 each Low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced
                                          • 1 gal 2 qt ¾ cup *Fresh baby spinach, leaves
                                          • 100 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 50 servings, use 3 pans (20 slices in 2 pans and 10 slices on 1 pan).
                                            For 100 servings, use 5 pans (20 slices on each 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 135 °F or higher.
                                          • Serve 1 sandwich.

                                          Nutrition INFORMATION

                                          Tuscan Grilled Cheese Sandwich USDA Recipe for Schools
                                          Amount Per Serving
                                           
                                          1 sandwich
                                          Calories
                                          143
                                          Total Fat
                                           
                                          5
                                          g
                                          8
                                          %
                                          Saturated Fat
                                           
                                          2
                                          g
                                          13
                                          %
                                          Cholesterol
                                           
                                          7
                                          mg
                                          2
                                          %
                                          Sodium
                                           
                                          301
                                          mg
                                          13
                                          %
                                          Total Carbohydrate
                                           
                                          21
                                          g
                                          7
                                          %
                                          Dietary Fiber
                                           
                                          6
                                          g
                                          25
                                          %
                                          Total Sugars
                                           
                                          3
                                          g
                                          3
                                          %
                                          Protein
                                           
                                          9
                                          g
                                          18
                                          %
                                          Vitamin D
                                           
                                          15
                                          IU
                                          100
                                          %
                                          Calcium
                                           
                                          162
                                          mg
                                          16
                                          %
                                          Iron
                                           
                                          1
                                          mg
                                          6
                                          %
                                          Potassium
                                           
                                          69
                                          mg
                                          2
                                          %
                                          N/A=data not available
                                          *Marketing Guide
                                          50 Servings:
                                          Spinach: 2 lb
                                          Tomatoes: 3 lb 12 oz
                                          100 Servings:
                                          Spinach: 4 lb
                                          Tomatoes: 7 lb 8 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
                                          50 Servings:
                                          About 14 lb 2 oz
                                          About 1 gal 3 qt ¹⁄4 cup/50 sandwiches
                                          100 Servings:
                                          About 28 lb 4 oz
                                          About 3 gal 2 qt ¹⁄2 cup/100 sandwiches