The 5-Ingredient Sandwich Stanley Tucci Swears By

You know when somebody has built a reputation for being so reliable in their food recommendations or recipes that you have no choice but to try anything and everything they say? Stanley Tucci is that person for me. The celebrity home cook has formed a dedicated fan base (myself included) due to his unapologetic love for food—especially pasta. As a home cook—and pasta lover—myself, I can safely say anything that Tucci recommends is an immediate win. 

So, during an exclusive interview with Tucci about his most recent collaboration with S.Pellegrino, I was immediately taken by his unexpected sandwich combo that he absolutely swears by. 

Stanley Tucci's 5-Ingredient Sandwich

Tucci has already told Allrecipes how much he loves a grilled cheese sandwich (who doesn’t), but in his recent interview, he revealed that sometimes he adds a twist for more comfort. 

“I like to make a grilled cheese or a sandwich with ham, tomato, some type of meltable cheese, and maybe a little bit of pesto,” Tucci said in an exclusive interview with Allrecipes. 

You can't go wrong when putting those ingredients together. I tried out Tucci's recommendation, and (like all his other recipes) I was not disappointed. I chose American as my meltable cheese and even with a "basic" cheese like the individually packaged slice, the pairing of ham and pesto was amazing. The herby pesto cut through the heavy ham and cheese and the tomato added a lighter note at the end.

Tucci's ham, tomato, cheese, and pesto sandwich reminds me of his "desert island" meal, which is also a grilled cheese made with sourdough, prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, and basil. Because we know Tucci has a thing for sandwiches—he's a huge stan for the humble peanut butter sandwich, too—it's also no surprise that he included another favorite combo in his new book, "What I Ate in One Year (and related thoughts)", which comes out Oct. 15.

"Got home famished," Tucci wrote. "Made a ham, cheese, mustard, and tomato toastie (known as a grilled sandwich in America). Had it with a beer. F . . . ing great."

While Tucci explained that he doesn’t have a "favorite" cheese to use on his go-to sandwich, he's never been shy about his love for the dairy product. In fact, his latest collaboration with S.Pellegrino is all about cheese.

Stanley Tucci's Limited Edition Cheese "Cake"

Tucci and his wife, Felicity Blunt (Emily Blunt's sister), famously didn't serve traditional cake at their wedding. Instead, they had a wedding "cake" made entirely from cheese.

So, in his third year of partnering with S.Pellegrino for the holidays, the pair is offering a limited edition cheese “cake” that's perfect for festive gatherings—and pays homage to Tucci's cheesy wedding cake.

This savory "dessert" features three tiers of seasonal cheeses, picked out by Tucci and specially curated by Murray's Cheese. The base layer starts with Cave Aged Reserve Cornelia, known for its rich, buttery taste and a hint of roasted peanuts. The middle layer is Mini Brie, a smooth cheese with a subtle earthy mushroom flavor. The top layer features La Tur, a creamy and tangy cheese that’s reminiscent of ice cream. The cake is finished with a star made from Buonatavola Provolone, known for its zesty flavor and savory depth.

When I asked the actor how he managed to narrow down the selection to four cheeses, he explained that he wanted to make sure there was a mix of texture and flavor for this holiday centerpiece. 

“I think these fit the bill,” he explained. “You just want to have a good mix of cheeses—some that are soft and creamy, some that are a little harder than others, and some that are sweeter or tangier.” 

To have a holiday party like the Tuccis, you'll want to snag this limited-edition cheese "cake" while it's still available. Beginning November 11, you can order S.Pellegrino & Stanley Tucci’s Holiday Cheese “Cake,” which also includes a bottle of S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, a star-shaped cutter, and S.Pellegrino cocktail napkins, on Murray's Cheese's site while supplies last. The 2.4 pounds of cheese serves about 12-16 people and costs $85, with expedited shipping included.

If you can't get your hands on the Tucci-exclusive cheese "cake," you can always make one yourself. Just pick up your favorite cheese wheels and build the festive (and delicious) centerpiece fit for any holiday occasion.