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Green Onion Pesto Ham & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

September 6, 2023

Breakfast sandwiches are the classic way to start your day that usually involve the perfect bread, some sort of meat, toasty cheese, and a killer sauce. And when it comes to a breakfast sandwich that hits all of the marks, this recipe delivers! These Green Onion Pesto Ham & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches are packed with classic ham and cheese and a homemade green onion pesto that will make these sandwiches truly irresistible. Plus, this recipe yields 12 sandwiches, so it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time, so you’ll have the perfect breakfast ready for you in a pinch!

A plate full of the green onion pesto ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches, sitting on a plate on a countertop

One of my favorite things about being a food blogger / recipe developer is getting to support the recipes of some of my amazing friends. And this recipe is truly no exception. This recipe comes from my good friend Laura Lea‘s brand new cookbook, RECIPES FOR AN ACHING HEART, and it truly doesn’t disappoint. Laura is a recipe developer and breakup coach, and her recipes are truly like hugs for your heart. When I was going through the cookbook, I had the hardest time picking out which recipe to make!

But as soon as I got my hands on one of these breakfast sandwiches, I knew that this was the recipe I had to share. There is something about a breakfast sandwich that I just love. It’s classic, it’s nostalgic, it’s predictable, and yet there are so many ways to shake it up. This sandwich is anything but ordinary, on account of the delicious green onion pesto that’s smothered inside of it. It’s made from green onions and pistachios for a salty, nutty, unique flavor profile that I cannot get enough of. And I know you won’t be able to, either!

All of the ingredients needed to make the green onion pesto breakfast sandwiches, laid out on a cutting board on a countertop — To make these breakfast sandwiches, you will need English muffins, ham, cheese, green onions, garlic, pistachios, seasonings, lemon juice, and olive oil.

A food processor, sitting on a countertop, with all of the ingredients needed to make the green onion pesto sitting inside of it — To make these breakfast sandwiches, you will need English muffins, ham, cheese, green onions, garlic, pistachios, seasonings, lemon juice, and olive oil.

What You Need to Make These Healthy & Delicious Breakfast Sandwiches

English Muffins: This recipe yields 12 sandwiches, so you’ll need a whole pack of English muffins in order to make them. If you want to keep these sandwiches gluten-free, you can opt to use gluten-free English muffins!
Nitrate-Free Deli Ham: Ham and cheese breakfast sandwiches are a classic and nostalgic recipe. I recommend using nitrate-free deli ham in order to keep this recipe as healthy as possible!
Cheese: You can use provolone, Swiss, or white cheddar cheese, for these sandwiches. All of the above taste equally as delicious, so pick your favorite and run with it!
Green Onions: Since this is a green onion-based pesto, green onions are essential to this recipe.
Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic whenever possible. It adds the best flavor to this pesto!
Roasted & Salted Pistachios: The key to achieving that perfect pesto flavor is to include nuts. While traditional pesto includes pine nuts, we’ll be using pistachios for a fun and delicious twist.
Seasonings: You will need a combination of garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt in order to season these sandwiches!
Lemon Juice: The juice of one whole lemon will make the pesto bright, vibrant, and refreshing. I always recommend using fresh squeezed lemon juice, whenever possible!
Olive Oil: I love using olive oil because it’s full of healthy fats and has a delicious, distinct flavor that tastes too good in this recipe. Don’t skip it!

A baking sheet, topped with English muffins, with the breakfast sandwiches actively being assembled on top of them — Cut open the English muffins and line them across the two baking sheets. Then, take the pesto and spread it evenly across the bottoms of the English muffins, followed by the ham and the cheese. One side of the English muffins will be plain!

How to Prepare These Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches

To make these breakfast sandwiches, start by preparing the green onion pesto. Add all of the pesto ingredients to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a separate container and set aside. Next, preheat your oven to 425 F. Take two standard-size baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. You may want to lightly spray the trays with oil in order for the parchment paper to stick to them.

Next, cut open the English muffins and line them across the two baking sheets. Then, take the pesto and spread it evenly across the bottoms of the English muffins, followed by the ham and the cheese. One side of the English muffins will be plain!

A baking sheet topped with the finished breakfast sandwiches, with some of the ops removed and more pesto being slathered inside of them — Roast the English muffins, in the oven, for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the English muffins have browned. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and spread more pesto across the plain halves of the English muffins

A tray full of the assembled breakfast sandwiches, sitting on a countertop — Roast the English muffins, in the oven, for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the English muffins have browned. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and spread more pesto across the plain halves of the English muffins

Roast the English muffins, in the oven, for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges of the English muffins have browned. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and spread more pesto across the plain halves of the English muffins.

Finally, assemble the sandwiches, serve, and enjoy! To store any leftovers, wrap them individually in foil and place them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to eat them. When you’re ready to eat them, simply remove them from the foil, pop them into the microwave, and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Refined Sugar Free