9 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes You Need to Try - Fed & Fit (2024)

There is nothing more American than a grilled cheese sandwich. Gooey, melted cheese in between two perfectly toasted pieces of bread — you really can’t go wrong! We’re sharing our 9 favorite gourmet grilled cheese recipes below.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Making a grilled cheese sandwich is really easy. The fillings and bread are interchangeable, but the process stays the same.

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Layer your cheese (and optional fillings) on the bread, then place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top of the cheese.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

9 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes

Here are 9 of our favorite grilled cheese combinations. We crafted each of these recipes on gluten-free bread, which is generally smaller in size, so bear in mind that if you use a different or larger piece of bread, your amounts may vary.

Grilled Triple Cheese

This triple cheese grilled cheese sandwich puts a twist on the original by adding in a combination of three delicious cheeses and a crispy cheese crunch on the outside of the sandwich that forms by toasting the bread with butter AND a layer of cheese in the pan. Yum!

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 3 tablespoons of cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons of Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons of Swiss cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – sprinkle ½ tablespoon of cheddar cheese in the pan, then place one slice of bread, butter side down, on top of the cheese in the skillet. Layer the remaining cheese (reserving a ½ tablespoon of the cheddar cheese for the other side of the bread) on the bread, then place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top of the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining ½ tablespoon of cheddar cheese on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Green Apple, Brie, and Fig Jam

The tangy green apple, creamy brie, and sweet fig jam make for a perfectly balanced bite of sweet and savory with a crunch!

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 3 ounces of brie cheese
• 1 tablespoon of fig jam
• ¼ of a green apple, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Using a spoon or spatula, spread the fig jam on top of the bread. Layer your green apple, top with brie cheese, and place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top of the cheese.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Pesto, Turkey, and Provolone

This savory sandwich is super satisfying with garlicky pesto, turkey, and mildly tangy provolone.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 ounces of deli turkey
• 1 slice of provolone cheese or 2 ounces of shredded provolone
• 1 tablespoon of pesto

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Using a spoon or spatula, spread the pesto on top of the bread. Layer your turkey and provolone, then place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Prosciutto, Pickle, and Cream Cheese

Stay with us! I know this combination is unconventional, but it is SO delicious. The creaminess from the cream cheese pairs perfectly with the briny pickle and salty prosciutto. We hope you’ll give it a try!

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1-2 tablespoons of butter
• ¼ cup of cream cheese
• 2 slices of prosciutto
• 1 dill pickle slice or 4-5 dill pickle coins

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat the skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, in the skillet. Using a spoon or spatula, spread half of the cream cheese on the bread. Layer the dill pickle and prosciutto, then spread the remaining cream cheese on the unbuttered side of the second piece of bread. Place the second slice of bread on top of the prosciutto and pickle with the buttered side up.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Gruyere, Caramelized Onions, Sage, and Ham

This sandwich is salty, sweet, tangy, and herbaceous all in one delicious bite.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 ounces of deli ham
• 2 ounces of gruyere
• 2 tablespoons of caramelized onions
• 1 tablespoon of fresh sage

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Add a sprinkle of cheese on top of the bread, then layer the ham, caramelized onions, and sage, and top with the remaining cheese. Place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

To caramelize your onions: Heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat. Cut a yellow or sweet onion in half, then slice thinly. Add the onions to a skillet with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir to combine. Add 1 teaspoon of salt after 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the onions reach a deep brown, caramel color, approximately 30 minutes.

Caprese-Style

We took the classic Caprese salad and turned it into a grilled cheese for the meltiest, stringiest, freshest result. The cheese pull on this one is a grilled cheese lover’s dream!

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 slices fresh mozzarella or 2 ounces shredded mozzarella
• 1 slice of tomato
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Layer a slice of mozzarella, tomato, and basil leaves, then top with another slice of mozzarella. Place the second slice of bread buttered side up on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Bleu Cheese Bacon Jam

This sandwich really speaks for itself. It’s sharp, sweet, salty, and 100% delicious! It very well may be our favorite of the bunch.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of bacon jam
• ¼ cup of bleu cheese crumbles
• 2 tablespoons of gruyere cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the bacon jam over the bread, then top with the bleu cheese crumbles and gruyere cheese. Top with the second slice of bread buttered side up on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

To make your own bacon jam, add 1 pack of cooked bacon, 5 pitted dates, 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and ¼ teaspoon of salt into a food processor and process until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-4 weeks.

Reuben-Inspired

We love a good Reuben, and what better way to elevate this favorite than by making it a hot sandwich with melty cheese?! Try it with a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for some extra tang.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 ounces of sliced corned beef
• 1 tablespoon of sauerkraut
• ¼ cup of shredded Swiss cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Butter the bread – take two slices of bread and butter one side of each slice of bread.
3. Assemble – place one slice of bread, butter side down, into the skillet on the stove. Layer the shredded Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut, then top with the second slice of bread buttered side up on top.
4. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Egg-in-a-Hole, Bacon, and Cheese

This is a fun spin on the classic breakfast sandwich that can be enjoyed by all!

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your bread of choice
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 2 slices of cooked bacon
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Heat the pan – heat a skillet on the stove over medium to medium-low heat.
2. Prep the bread – cut a hole in one slice of the bread and butter one side of the second slice of bread.
3. Cook the egg – add one tablespoon of butter to the skillet, then place the slice of bread with the hole cut in it into the skillet. Carefully crack the egg inside of the hole and let it cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the bottom of the egg has set.
4. Assemble – flip the bread with the egg over in the skillet, then top with the shredded cheese and bacon. Place the second slice of bread on top with the buttered side up.
5. Cook – cook your sandwich for 5-7 minutes, or until it is golden brown and toasted, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 minutes on the other side.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient Modifications for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

There are endless options for changing up your grilled cheese sandwiches. In addition to the 9 ways we shared, here are some other ideas of how you can fancy up your own grilled cheese:

• Add protein – anything from deli meats (turkey, ham, pastrami, prosciutto, salami) to grilled or shredded meats (steak, chicken, pork) add additional protein to your sandwich.
• Add a spread – from sweet (jam, ketchup, and honey) to savory (mustard, thousand island dressing, pesto), you have so many options for additional flavor. A chutney, pepper jelly, or bacon jam are fun ways to combine the sweet and savory aspects.
• Use mayonnaise – replace the butter with mayonnaise. There are some grilled cheese purists who believe this is the only way to grilled cheese!
• Add a pickled component – pickles, sauerkraut, jalapeños, and coleslaw are great ways to add acidity to a rich sandwich.
• Use a different cheese – while an American cheese single is as classic as it gets for a grilled cheese sandwich, there are so many delicious cheeses just waiting for their time to shine melted between two toasty pieces of bread. Swiss and gruyere give a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Provolone and mozzarella are super stringy and milder in taste. Bleu cheese will add a sharp and salty note, while brie is rich and buttery in flavor. Then you also have Havarti, Monterey Jack, and all of the other cheddars. The options are endless, and you really can’t go wrong!

Tips & Tricks for the Best Grilled Cheese

• Shred your cheese – buy a block of cheese and shred it so that it melts easier when cooking. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in an anti-caking agent, so we recommend starting with a block of cheese for the meltiest, stringiest result.
• Cook over medium-low heat – this ensures that your bread has the time it needs to toast and the cheese has the time it needs to melt without overcooking the bread.
• Press down – for a panini-style sandwich and the most even cook, use a sturdy lid or another heavy object to press down on the sandwich while cooking.
• Make them in the oven – cooking for a crowd? Oven-bake your grilled cheese sandwiches on a sheet pan at 350°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Pair with Grilled Cheese

There is no more classic combination than a traditional grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of creamy tomato soup. Some of our other favorite soup combos to enjoy alongside include minestrone, Thai-inspired carrot soup, and creamy chicken tortilla soup. If you like a sandwich and salad combo, this spinach salad with spicy lemon dressing or Brussel sprouts salad with apple cider vinaigrette adds some extra brightness.