The classic bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich gets a bright, savory upgrade with a generous spread of basil pesto in this quick and flavorful recipe.
Most mornings I open the fridge and build a breakfast around whatever looks good with eggs—typically a scramble, sandwich, or burrito. One morning I spotted a jar of basil pesto and decided to spoon some onto my scrambled eggs. The combination was instant: the herbaceous pesto cut through the richness of egg and bacon and quickly became a favorite breakfast pairing.
Pesto + eggs = an unexpectedly delicious combo that transforms a simple sandwich into something special.
This pesto bacon and egg breakfast sandwich is ideal for busy mornings because it comes together in about 15–20 minutes, yet delivers satisfying flavor and protein to fuel your day.
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 slices bread (your choice: white, whole wheat, sourdough, or an English muffin)
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping once, until it reaches your preferred level of crispness.
- Remove bacon from the skillet and transfer it to paper towels to drain excess grease.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, pour in the egg mixture and scramble until cooked through but still moist. Remove from heat.
- Toast the bread slices. Spread 1 tablespoon of pesto on one side of each slice of toast.
- Break the bacon slices in half and stack them on top of the pesto on one slice of bread. Add the scrambled eggs over the bacon, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the eggs.
- Finish by placing the remaining slice of toast, pesto-side down, on top of the sandwich. Serve immediately while warm.
Pesto Egg and Bacon Breakfast Sandwich
The classic bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is given a fresh twist with the bold flavor of basil pesto. The pesto adds herbaceous brightness and a slight nuttiness that complements salty bacon and creamy mozzarella. This sandwich is quick to make and easy to customize.
Servings: 1 breakfast sandwich
Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Why this sandwich works
Basil pesto brings concentrated flavor from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts (or other nuts), Parmesan, olive oil, and salt. Spread on toasted bread, pesto provides moisture and a fragrant contrast to the crispy bacon and soft scrambled eggs. Mozzarella melts gently, adding a mild, creamy layer without overpowering the pesto.
Tips and variations
- Use homemade pesto for the brightest flavor, or choose a high-quality store-bought basil pesto for convenience.
- Swap mozzarella for provolone, fontina, or cheddar if you prefer a sharper cheese.
- For a lighter version, use center-cut bacon or turkey bacon, or replace bacon with thinly sliced avocado for a vegetarian twist.
- Turn this into a portable meal by wrapping the assembled sandwich in foil to keep it warm for commuting or picnics.
- Add fresh tomato slices or baby spinach for extra texture and freshness.
Make-ahead and storage
Cook the bacon ahead of time and refrigerate for up to three days. Scramble eggs just before assembling for the best texture, or cook and refrigerate the eggs for up to a day and reheat gently. Store leftover assembled sandwiches in the refrigerator and reheat in a skillet or oven to keep the bread crisp. Avoid freezing a fully assembled sandwich with pesto, as the texture changes when thawed.
Nutrition snapshot
Estimated nutrition for one sandwich (values approximate):
- Calories: 773 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Fat: 54 g (Saturated fat: 18 g)
- Cholesterol: 398 mg
- Sodium: 1903 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
Voila — a quick, flavorful breakfast sandwich that balances savory bacon, soft eggs, melty cheese, and the bright herbal kick of pesto. It’s perfect for a weekday breakfast, a weekend treat, or making a few sandwiches to feed the family before school or work.
Do you have a go-to breakfast sandwich? Share your favorite variations and tips in the comments below.