Have you ever wondered about the secret to achieving the perfect grilled cheese sandwich? Is it the type of cheese you use? Or maybe there’s a special recipe? Find out in this article and take your grilled cheese game to the next level.
The Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese
It wouldn’t be a grilled cheese sandwich without cheese, and it must be perfectly melted. Whichever type you choose, make sure it’s soft and gooey. Our tip? The more moisture and fat it contains, the better it melts. If you decide to use shredded cheese, it’s always better to shred it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese doesn’t give that “cheesy pull” when cooked.
Some Bonus Tips
While cheese is the main character, bread and toppings are essential. Use thick white bread that will support flavor-packed ingredients. For the toppings, you may go for mashed avocado that blends perfectly with the melted cheese and crunchy bread.
You can also try bacon, brie and jam, or goat cheese and pesto. Spread the outside of the bread slices with mayonnaise to help them cook crispy and not soggy. Don’t use too much heat, and if you use a frying pan, keep the lid over before flipping the sandwich.
Johnny Apple Cheese
The combination of sweet apples and salty bacon will amaze you. Expect a well-rounded flavor with a bit of added crunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices whole-grain bread
- Butter or mayonnaise
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
- 3 strips, cooked bacon
Directions Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter or mayonnaise and place the greased side down in a pan on medium heat. Add enough cheddar and apple slices to cover the bread. Add some bacon to the other slice. Once the cheese has melted, put the slices together and enjoy.
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
This one is for all the spice lovers out there! The blue cheese will mellow out the heat and add flavor and creaminess.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup blue cheese
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- ¼ cup blue cheese salad dressing
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
- 4 oz. deli-sliced roast chicken breast
- 1 cup packed baby spinach leaves
- 8 teaspoons butter at room temperature
Directions: Mix blue cheese salad dressing and hot pepper sauce, and spread it over four bread slices. Then add cheese, chicken, and spinach on top. Top with the remaining bread and spread butter over the outsides. Let cook for 5-7 minutes on each side. Voilá!
Bacon and Egg Grilled Cheese
A British classic, bacon and eggs are a major part of the famous ‘full English’ breakfast. If you want to take this sandwich to the next level, we recommend using cinnamon-raisin bread to add a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 8 American cheese slices
- 8 slices tomato
- 8 slices cinnamon-raisin bread
- 4 scrambled eggs
- 8 slices, cooked bacon
- 8 teaspoons butter, room temperature
Directions: Put cheese, tomato, eggs, and bacon on 4 of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread and spread butter over the outsides. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Four Cheese Bonanza
While pizza lovers may already be familiar with the idea of a four-cheese pizza, this iteration of the grilled cheese takes cheese-ception to a whole other level with its own four-cheese combo: cheddar, mozzarella, pepper-Jack, provolone
Ingredients:
- 3 slices sourdough bread
- Butter or mayonnaise
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 slice mozzarella cheese
- 1 slice pepper-Jack cheese
- 1 slice provolone cheese
- ¼ avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
Directions: You know the drill—spread one side of each slice with butter or mayonnaise and place in the pan on medium heat. Cover all 3 slices with cheese, and once it has all melted, put avocado on 2 of the slices and put the sandwich together.