13 Grilled Cheese Recipe Ideas from Classic to Super Creative
Find your favorite new grilled cheese sandwich from this list of delicious combinations.
Whether you like your grilled cheese paired with soup or on its own, stuffed with a single cheese or several, one of these grilled cheese recipe ideas is going to fulfill your craving for oozing cheesy goodness. Loaded with vegetables, meat, or fruit, these easy recipes put flavorful spins on this classic, crowd-pleasing sandwich.
Related: 17 Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Make Lunch a Meal to Anticipate
Turkey-Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Inspired by fall but a delicious treat any time of year, this gourmet grilled cheese recipe idea packs loads of complexity into each bite—and all in less than 30 minutes. Slightly caramelize onions, then mix with apple jelly. For your foundation of buttered whole grain bread, you have some choices: stack Gouda or white cheddar, deli chicken or turkey, Granny Smith apple slices, those apple-infused onions, and more cheese. Griddle until they're golden brown.
Make-Ahead Smoked Turkey and Grilled Onion Panini
Build, then freeze, these Italian-inspired turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches, and you'll never be more than minutes away from melty mozzarella bliss. Try the filling combination inside a thin sandwich roll, bagel halves, two slices of bread, or even a pita.
Test Kitchen Tip
No panini press? Make your own. Place your sandwiches in a greased skillet (cast-iron works wonderfully) over medium heat. Place another large skillet on top of the sandwiches, weighted by a couple of cans of beans or veggies, and allow two minutes per side.
Related: The 9 Best Cast Iron Skillets of 2023
Bacon-Cheddar-Chipotle Chicken Panini
Stacked with bacon, ranch dressing, cheddar, and more, this BLT upgrade might surprise you. You'd never expect it to be as well-balanced as it is (about 400 calories and a whopping 32 grams of protein). Our little secret that makes this grilled cheese recipe idea hearty yet healthy is to load it with plenty of nutritious vegetables. We also make high-impact, barely noticeable swaps, like using light ranch dressing, reduced-fat cheddar, and light sour cream.
Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho with Pepperoni-Cheese Toast
Picky eaters will love this pizza grilled cheese recipe idea. In a play on two classics, we separate the sauce (here, pepper-tomato soup) and the crust, toppings, and cheese (in the sandwich). Combine your ideal ratios by dunking, scooping, or indulging in one at a time.
Related: Global Tomato Soup Recipes to Warm You Up This Season
Bresaola-Gorgonzola Panini
Tangy, crumbly blue cheese joins forces with melted provolone on this grilled cheese with mayo beefed up with savory slices of bresaola (cured meat). A zippy red onion relish is the perfect condiment to cut through all the richness.
Test Kitchen tip
If you can't find bresaola, try speck, prosciutto, or ham instead.
Smashed Peach and Poblano Grilled Cheese
This gourmet grilled cheese recipe idea checks all the boxes: sweet, savory, smoky, and spicy. Layer roasted peppers, fresh peach slices, white cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon between buttered sourdough slices. This is a grownup grilled cheese at its best.
Related: These Are the 4 Steps to Making Sourdough Bread Everyone Will Love
Grilled Cheese and Fruit Sandwich
Craving a fancy sandwich that's worthy of a dinner party? Grilled cheese shows off its sweeter side in this quick, fruity Havarti version reminiscent of a charcuterie board—only it's between bread. It also features pear slices, fig jam, and crunchy almonds.
Tomato-Avocado Grilled Cheese
This 25-minute avocado grilled cheese recipe idea offers everything you adore about creamy guacamole in a convenient handheld package. Parsley and lemon juice combine with buttery avocado to make a luscious spread. The result: grilled cheese and tomato with a refreshing flavor boost and plenty of heart-healthy fat.
Related: Here's Why Washing Avocados Before You Eat Them Is Essential
Farmers Market Grilled Cheese
Tomatoes fresh from the farmers market, spinach, and zucchini stack up in one scrumptious grilled cheese sandwich idea. Layer all that between two slices of crisp sourdough spread with herbed goat cheese, and you'll have a super-satisfying taste of summer.
Breakfast Grilled Cheese
You'll jump out of bed when you have this easy, cheesy recipe waiting for you. Start your day with all your a.m. favorites—bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles—by way of this faster-than-fast-food option. Add a couple of slices of cheese, such as American or cheddar, to hold everything together.
Related: The 8 Best Waffle Makers of 2023 for a Fluffy Breakfast Treat, According to Testing
Garden Turkey Melt
With a simple homemade spread that tastes just like spinach-artichoke dip, you need just a hint of meat for this grilled cheese recipe to satisfy. We call for turkey, but ham or roast beef would also taste incredible. Since this dish is sheet pan-style rather than seared in a skillet, it's easy to double or triple and feed a crowd—without having to play short-order cook all afternoon.
Muenster, Cabbage, and Apple Sandwiches
To give this grilled Muenster cheese sandwich more substance, pack it with sweet slices of your favorite apple variety and coarsely shredded cabbage. Enhance the mellow flavor of Muenster, our cheese of choice for this recipe, with stone-ground mustard and caraway rye bread.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
We love a good 30-minute meal. But even better is a 15-minute one like this, our Dijon and cheddar twist on the classic grilled cheese recipe, and it offers a couple of delectable variations. For vegetarians, adorn it with cucumber, tomato, and onion. For meat eaters, pile it high with salami, pepperoni, and roast beef.
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