45 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ideas

By Schiff's Food Service

The traditional grilled cheese sandwich is a staple of American comfort food. Kids love them and undergrad students live off of them. While traditionally found at home alongside a bowl of tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches have grown up and have left the nest.

It now finds itself in chic bistros and trendy restaurants. With whole grain breads, international cheeses, and extra toppings, the grilled cheese sandwich is no longer boring.

Take advantage of this trend and add some variety to your menu using our list of 45 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ideas as inspiration.

The Big Cheese: Layer 1 slice of Cheddar cheese, Muenster cheese, and Swiss cheese between 2 slices of white bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Mediterranean Grilled Cheese: Spread baba ghanoush on 2 slices of whole-grain bread. Sandwich with 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese, a few thin slices grilled zucchini, 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese and another slice of Monterey Jack cheese. Cook in olive oil.

Spicy Nacho Cheese: Layer 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeño slices, and 1 slice of Cheddar cheese between 2 slices of white bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Roast Beef & Brie Grilled Cheese: Spread Dijon mustard and Brie cheese with the rind removed on 2 slices of sourdough bread. Sandwich with some caramelized onions and 1 slice of roast beef. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Panko Crusted Tomato & Grilled Cheese: Whisk egg, milk, salt, and pepper together. Layer 2 slices of American cheese and 2 slices of tomato between 2 slices of white bread. Dip the sandwich in the egg mixture and coat with panko breadcrumbs. Using olive oil, cook, flipping once, until golden.

Apple Cinnamon Swirl: Sandwich 2 slices of Cheddar cheese and apple slices between 2 slices of cinnamon-swirl bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Goat Cheese–Peppadew Pepper Grilled Cheese: Mix ½ cup cream cheese with ¼ cup goat cheese and 8 chopped Peppadew peppers. Sandwich ¼ of the mixture between 2 slices of multigrain bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Garlic Ham Grilled Cheese: Prepare 2 thick slices of frozen garlic bread as the label directs. Sandwich with 2 slices of Monterey Jack cheese and ham. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Peanut Butter Bacon Grilled Cheese: Spread peanut butter on 1 slice of white bread. Cover with 1 slice of American cheese and 2 slices of bacon; top with the other slice of bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Cheddar and Pickles: Layer 2 slices of aged White Cheddar cheese and sliced pickles between 2 slices of white bread. Spread mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich. Cook, flipping once, until golden. Serve with ketchup.

Havarti and Chicken Salad: Sandwich 2 slices of potato bread with 1 slice havarti, 2 to 3 tablespoons chicken salad and another slice of havarti. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Pesto Grilled Cheese: Spread pesto on 1 slice of white bread. Top with 1 slice each of Provolone and Mozzarella cheese. Top with another slice of bread and cook, flipping once, until golden.

Fig, Olive, & Grilled Cheese: Spread 2 slices of white bread with fig jam before layering with ¼ cup grated Manchego cheese and 1 tablespoon of sliced green olives. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Avocado Grilled Cheese: Toss ¼ sliced avocado with lime juice and lime zest to taste. Sandwich 2 slices of white bread with 2 slices of Pepper Jack cheese and avocado. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Potato Chip & Grilled Cheese: Spread yellow mustard on 1 slice of whole-wheat bread; top with 2 slices of American cheese and 8 potato chips. Top with another slice of bread and cook, flipping once, until golden.

Swiss-Mushroom: Spread 2 slices of rye bread with Thousand Island dressing. Sandwich with 1 slice of Swiss cheese, some sautéed mushrooms and onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Grilled Cheese Bagel: Spread mayonnaise and spicy mustard on a split bagel. Sandwich with 1 slice of Muenster cheese, 2 slices of salami and another slice of Muenster cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden, pressing to flatten.

Muffuletta: Layer 2 slices of Provolone cheese and 1 tablespoon of deli olive salad between 2 slices of white bread. Cook in butter with a pinch of Cajun seasoning.

Crunchy Nacho Grilled Cheese: Layer 1 slice of Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeño slices, 1 tablespoon crushed corn chips, and 1 slice of Cheddar cheese between 2 slices of white bread.   Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Roasted Tomato Grilled Cheese: Toss 4 halved plum tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Roast at 350 degrees F, 1 hour; mash. Spread 2 slices sourdough bread with one-quarter of the tomato mixture and sandwich with 2 slices of Cheddar cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Blue Cheese & Onion: Sandwich 2 slices of marble rye bread with 1 slice each Muenster cheese, Soft Blue cheese, caramelized onions and another slice of Muenster cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Italian Grilled Cheese: Layer 1 slice of Provolone cheese, 1 slice of Mortadella, some chopped pickled vegetables, and another slice of Provolone cheese between 2 slices of sourdough bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Fontina & Sage: Fry 4 sage leaves in a skillet in butter and olive oil until crisp. Sandwich 2 slices of crusty bread with 2 slices of Fontina cheese and fried sage. Cook in the same skillet.

Gruyere & Sauerkraut: Spread Dijon mustard on 1 slice of crusty bread. Top with 2 slices Gruyere cheese, 1 tablespoon sauerkraut and another slice of bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Spicy Diner Grilled Cheese: Stir 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and ¼ teaspoon Sriracha together. Sandwich 2 slices of American cheese between 2 slices of white bread and spread spicy mayonnaise mixture on the outside of the sandwich. Cook, flipping once, until golden. Serve with ketchup.

Big Dog Grilled Cheese: Halve a hot dog lengthwise; brown in a skillet. Spread a hot dog bun with ketchup and mustard, then sandwich with the hot dog and 1 slice of American cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden, pressing to flatten.

Meaty Macaroni: Spread 3 tablespoons of warm macaroni and cheese on 2 slices of potato bread. Drizzle with hot sauce and sandwich with ¼ cup warm pulled pork. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Spanish Olive Grilled Cheese: Layer ¼ cup grated Manchego cheese and 1 tablespoon of sliced green olives between 2 slices of white bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Bacon-Waffle-Cheddar Cheese: Sandwich 2 thawed toaster waffles with 1 slice of Cheddar cheese, 2 slices of crisp bacon and another slice of Cheddar cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Egg in a Hole: Cut out a 2-inch round from the center of 1 slice white bread; place the bread in a hot buttered skillet and crack an egg into the hole. Cook until the white sets, then flip and top with 1 slice of Cheddar cheese. Meanwhile, add another slice of bread to the skillet and top with 1 slice of Cheddar cheese and 3 slices of crisp bacon. Sandwich the two halves and cook until golden.

Pear-Camembert: Spread 2 slices of multigrain bread with Camembert cheese (remove the rind). Sandwich with thin pear slices. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Ham & Apple Butter Grilled Cheese: Spread 1 slice of white bread with apple butter and another with dijon mustard. Layer 1 slice of Swiss cheese, 1 slice of ham and another slice of Swiss cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Hawaiian Grilled Cheese: Spread 2 slices of Hawaiian sweet bread with pineapple preserves. Sandwich with 2 slices of  Monterey Jack cheese and ham. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Taleggio & Broccoli Rabe: Sandwich 2 slices of crusty bread with 2 slices of Taleggio cheese and some sautéed broccoli rabe. Cook in a mixture of butter and olive oil.

Ricotta-Garlic Grilled Cheese: Mix 1 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of Ricotta cheese, cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 small grated garlic clove, and salt to taste. Sandwich 2 slices of sourdough bread with ¼ of the cheese mixture;  cook, flipping once, until golden.

Open-Face Cutout Cheese: Cut shapes out of sliced white bread using a cookie cutter. Cut matching shapes out of sliced cheddar. Broil the bread until lightly toasted, then flip, top each with a piece of cheese and broil until the cheese melts.

Open-Face Caprese: Broil a split ciabatta roll until lightly toasted. Drizzle with olive oil and top each half with 2 slices of tomato and 2 slices of fresh mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts. Top with chopped basil.

Pizza Spread: Sandwich Marinara sauce between 2 slices of Italian bread with 1 slice of Provolone cheese, 2 slices of pepperoni and 1 slice of Mozzarella cheese. Cook in a mixture of butter and olive oil.

Open-Face French Onion: Broil baguette slices until toasted. Top with caramelized onions and shredded Gruyère cheese; broil until the cheese melts. Top with chives.

BBQ Roast Beef & Cheese: Spread 1 slice of white bread with 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce. Top with 2 slices of Cheddar cheese and roast beef, then top with another slice of bread. Brush melted butter on the outside of the sandwich. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Truly Grilled Cheese: Toss 1 thick slice of Haloumi cheese with olive oil and chopped oregano. Rub 1 thick slice of crusty bread with garlic and brush with olive oil. Cook separately on a grill, turning, until marked. Rub the bread with a halved tomato and top with the cheese; sprinkle with salt and lemon juice.

Brie & Marmalade: Spread 2 slices of cinnamon-raisin bread with orange marmalade. Sandwich with 2 slices of Brie cheese with the rind removed. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

Nutella & Banana Grilled Cheese: Spread 1 slice of brioche with Ricotta cheese; spread another with Nutella. Sandwich with sliced bananas; cook, flipping once, until golden.

BBQ Bacon Grilled Cheese: Sandwich 2 slices of Provolone cheese, BBQ sauce, and 2 slices of bacon between 2 slices of white bread. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

New American Grilled Cheese: Stir softened butter and Cheddar cheese together; spread on 2 slices of white bread. On the other side of the bread, spread Dijon mustard and sprinkle with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Layer sliced andouille sausage, halved cornichons, and sliced Cheddar cheese. Cook, flipping once, until golden.

 

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