Heart-Healthy Open-Faced Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Elevate your sandwich game with this Heart-Healthy Open-Faced Ham and Cheese Sandwich, a guilt-free twist on a classic favorite! Built on a foundation of lightly toasted whole grain bread, this nutrient-packed delight features layers of creamy avocado mash seasoned with lemon juice and black pepper, low-sodium lean ham, and reduced-fat Swiss cheese melted to perfection. Generous toppings of fresh baby spinach and juicy tomato slices add a vibrant crunch, while a drizzle of tangy Dijon mustard ties it all together. Quick to prepare and loaded with heart-healthy ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and avocado, this recipe is perfect for a wholesome lunch or light dinner. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a delicious way to enjoy comfort food while staying mindful of your health!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 4 slices low-sodium, lean ham
• 2 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese
• 0.5 whole avocado
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 1 medium tomato
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven grill (broiler) to medium-high heat.

Step 2

Lightly brush each slice of whole grain bread with extra virgin olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.

Step 3

Grill the bread slices for 1-2 minutes on each side until they are lightly toasted and golden brown.

Step 4

While the bread is toasting, halve the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash it with a fork.

Step 5

Add the lemon juice and ground black pepper to the mashed avocado and mix well to combine.

Step 6

Thinly slice the tomato.

Step 7

Spread the mashed avocado evenly over each toasted bread slice.

Step 8

Layer 2 slices of low-sodium, lean ham on each piece of bread.

Step 9

Place a slice of reduced-fat Swiss cheese over the ham on each sandwich.

Step 10

Return the sandwiches to the oven grill until the cheese is melted, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the sandwiches from the oven and top each with a generous handful of baby spinach leaves and tomato slices.

Step 12

Drizzle a little Dijon mustard over the vegetables.

Step 13

Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(461.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	729.4

Total Fat 41.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g
Cholesterol 71.4mg	0%
Sodium 2461.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.3g	0%
Total Sugars 14.7g
Protein 43.1g	0%

Vitamin D 8.6IU	0%
Calcium 477.0mg	0%
Iron 4.3mg	0%
Potassium 1165.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.3%

Protein: 23.3%

Carbs: 26.5%