Recipe(s): Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

Forget what you know about grilled cheese sandwiches– they’re not only for children.  These grilled cheese sandwich recipes add a grown-up flair to a classic comfort food.  Grilled cheese sandwiches are fast and easy to make. A hearty grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect meal after a long day of work.

There are many ways to make a grilled cheese sandwich: in the oven, in a frying pan, on a grill, on a griddle, etc.

Suggested Types of Bread

Ciabatta- Italian white bread

Sweet Bread- (King’s Hawaiian)

Whole Grain Wheat

Rye

Classic White (If you must)

Focaccia- A  thick, dense flavorful Italian bread

Sourdough

 Recipes

Southwest

Ingredients: 

Sliced Jalapeño (I use the ones in the jar)

Pepper Jack Cheese

Bacon (Cooked)

Bread Recommendation: If you can find jalapeño Focaccia bread, that would be best.  If not, use whole grain bread.

Directions:

I very lightly butter both sides of the bread (only one side if using Focaccia bread).  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of Pepper Jack cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add bacon to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced jalapeños to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Roasted red pepper and tomato soup.

Carnivore 

Bacon

Cheddar cheese

Bread Recommendation: Classic White

Directions:

I very lightly butter both sides of the bread. Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of cheddar cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add bacon to both slices of bread (on top of the cheese).  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Classic tomato soup

Mediterranean 

Thinly Sliced Tomato

Basil

Mozzarella

Optional:

Feta

Black Olives

Olive Oil Butter Spread (Land O’ Lakes makes a fantastic olive oil butter)

Bread Recommendation: Ciabatta

Directions:

I very lightly butter both sides of the bread (only one side if using Ciabatta bread).  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of mozzarella cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add tomato to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced basil to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Minestrone Soup

California Cobb

Bleu Cheese

Thinly Sliced Avocado

Bacon

Bread Recommendation: Whole Wheat

Directions:

Lightly butter both sides of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one blue cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add bacon to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced avocados to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: French Onion Soup

Buffalo:

Franks Hot Sauce

Monterey Jack Cheese

Sliced, Deli Chicken

Dip: Ranch or Blue Cheese

Bread Recommendation: Whole Wheat or White

Directions:

Lightly butter ONE sides of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and spread a thin layer of Franks hot sauce one each slice.  Add of Monterey Jack cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add deli chicken to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) .  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Dip your sandwich in ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Breakfast:

Egg

Canadian Bacon

Cheddar Cheese

Bread Recommendation: Ciabatta, Whole Wheat or White Bread

Directions:

First, fry the egg.

Very lightly butter both sides of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of  cheddar cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add Canadian bacon to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) .  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, place egg on top or inside of the sandwich, and it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Hash browns

Refreshing:

Cream cheese or Laughing Cow Swiss cheese spread

Thinly-sliced cucumbers

Dill

Bread Recommendation: Ciabatta, Whole Wheat or White

Directions:

This sandwich should not be cooked long, just enough to toast the bun.

Very lightly butter one sides of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Remove from heat. Flip over the bread and add a think layer of cream cheese or Laughing Cow cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add cucumbers to both slices of bread and sprinkle dill on both sides (on top of the cheese).  Close sandwich and, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Tomato bisque

Pizza:

Pepperoni, Sausage or Canadian Bacon

Mozzarella Cheese

Pizza Sauce

Optional Garnish: Mushrooms, Garlic, Onion, Peppers

Bread Recommendation: Ciabatta or Focaccia

Directions:

I very lightly butter one side of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and spread a thin layer of pizza sauce, then add mozzarella cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add desired meat to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add mushrooms, onions or your desired garnish to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Roasted red pepper and tomato soup.

Tucson:

Mushroom

Poblano Peppers

Roasted Red Pepper

Pepper Jack Cheese

Bread Recommendation: If you can find jalapeño Focaccia bread, that would be best.  If not, use ciabatta or whole grain bread.

Directions:

I very lightly butter both sides of the bread (only one side if using Focaccia bread).  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of Pepper Jack cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add peppers to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced mushrooms to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Roasted red pepper and tomato soup.

Portobello:

Portobello Mushrooms

Sliced Tomato

Thinly-Sliced Red Onion

Mozzarella

Basil

Bread Recommendation: Ciabatta or Whole Wheat

Directions:

First, lightly grill portobello mushrooms.

I very lightly butter both sides of the bread (only one side if using Ciabatta bread).  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of mozzarella cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add mushroom to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced tomato onion and basil to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Roasted red pepper and tomato soup

Hawaiian 

Canadian Bacon

Thinly Sliced Pineapple

Monterrey Jack Cheese

Bread Recommendation: Sweet bread

Directions:

I very lightly butter one side of the bread.  Place bread in a heated surface.  Brown one side of the bread.  Flip over the bread and add one slice of Monterrey Jack cheese to each slice of bread.  Next, add canadian bacon to one slice of bread (on top of the cheese) and add sliced pineapple to the other side.  Close sandwich and brown the sandwich on both sides.  Keep the heat on low and put a lid over your pan, if possible.  Once the bread has browned and all the ingredients are melted together, it’s ready to eat!

Suggested side: Pineapple and cottage cheese