51 Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are More Than Just Cheddar And Bread (2024)

51 Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are More Than Just Cheddar And Bread (1)

What makes a great grilled cheese? Is it just two pieces of bread, filled with melty, gooey cheese? Does it count if it’s stuffed with a TON of other ingredients (you know how we do)? Does a panini count? What if there’s no bread? Can you switch up the cheese (mm, brie)? Whatever they are, we’re in LOVE. Grilled cheeses are so versatile, and we’re always making them as anytime snacks, quick dinners, or even as simple party appetizers. Don’t even get us started on the classic combination of tomato soup + grilled cheese (or Bloody Marys 😈). Check out our best grilled cheese recipes for ideas—trust us, they're SO much more than just cheese and bread.

We can’t imagine you’re unfamiliar with the concept, but just in case, we’ve made a guide for how to make the best grilled cheese. Top tips: Shred your own cheese (it melts better!) and use a good amount of butter or mayo to get your bread perfectly toasty. Once you’ve got that down, change it up. Check out our Greek grilled cheese, our antipasto grilled cheese, our bacon apple cheddar grilled cheese, or our pizza grilled cheese for ideas, but really, the sky’s the limit. We love a mashup, like our grilled cheese burgers (with grilled cheeses as the buns), our sloppy joe grilled cheese, our grilled cheese hot dogs, or our chicken Parm grilled cheese. American or cheddar are classic, but feel free to switch it up, like in our , our jalapeño popper grilled cheese (cream cheese), or our Caprese grilled cheese (mozzarella). You could even make them for breakfast with our grilled cheese pancakes or our waffle iron grilled cheese. Want all that cheesy goodness, without the carbs? Veggies to the rescue: try our cauliflower grilled cheese or our zucchini grilled cheese—they’ve got the cheese pull you desire, without the bread.

Want more sandwich inspiration? Check out our favorite easy lunch and dinner sandwiches too.

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1

Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese

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The convection provided by an air fryer displaces the heat throughout the entire sandwich, creating a crispy exterior and a perfectly gooey interior. Other than knowing the ideal grilled cheese is air fried for 8 minutes at 370°, the rest of your sandwich creation is in your hands, so get creative with your fillings if you like!

Get the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese recipe.

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2

Best Grilled Cheese

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It's all about the crust. Choose a hearty bread, butter it up, and shred your favorite cheddar for the best grilled cheese ever: crispy-crunchy on the outside, melty, cheddar middle, and the world's most impressive cheese pull.

Get the Best Grilled Cheese recipe.

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3

Cauliflower Grilled Cheese

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All you need is cauliflower rice, eggs, Parmesan and oregano to make a low-carb bread fit for even the meltiest of grilled cheeses. Is there anything cauliflower can't do?!

Get the Cauliflower Grilled Cheese recipe.

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4

Grilled Cheese Dogs

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Can't choose between a hot dog and a grilled cheese sandwich? Why not both? 😈 Now you don't have to debate over whether "Is a hot dog a sandwich?", especially when it means perfectly seared hot dogs and melty cheese.

Get the Grilled Cheese Dogs recipe.

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5

Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

We thought sloppy Joes were perfect as is, that is until we added cheese. You might never make them without it again. Bonus: The cheese actually helps hold them together—but don't worry, they're still gloriously messy.

Get the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese recipe.

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6

BLT Grilled Cheese

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Be warned: This recipe might ruin you for the classic BLT.

Get the BLT Grilled Cheese recipe.

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7

Avocado Grilled Cheese

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Who knew guac and grilled cheese were meant to be together? We call for one avocado, but if yours are extra large, serve chips on the side of this sandwich and dip them in any leftover mashed avo.

Get the Avocado Grilled Cheese recipe.

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8

Pizza Grilled Cheese

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Craving pizza, but can't be bothered with all that work (or heating your oven to 500°?!)? This saucy sandwich is for you.

Get the Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe.

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9

"Grilled Cheese" Burgers

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You already know the standard cheeseburger, you might have seen cheese-stuffed patties, but have you ever added cheese to the bun? This recipe does just that by combining our two favorite comfort foods: burgers and grilled cheese.

Get the "Grilled Cheese" Burgers recipe.

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10

Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese

If you love the crispy cheesy bits of grilled cheeses (and who doesn't?!) you gotta try this genius waffle iron hack.

Get the Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese recipe.

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11

S'mores Grilled Cheese

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When crushing your graham crackers, don’t go too crazy. Some bigger bits will provide a nice crunch to this whole deliciously melty, messy situation. (P.S. If you're really into this sandwich, you need to try our s'mores quesadilla next.)

Get the S'mores Grilled Cheese recipe.

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12

Hawaiian Grilled Cheese

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Consider this a grilled cheese straight from paradise. It might seem crazy, but the sharpness of white cheddar pairs perfectly with the bite of soy sauce and pineapple.

Get the Hawaiian Grilled Cheese recipe.

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13

Parmesan Crusted Kale Grilled Cheese

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There's an ENTIRE bunch of leafy green kale in this grilled cheese. Thanks to a quick braise in sweet and spicy apple cider vinegar, it reduces considerably, transforming into dark lacquered greens with just the right amount of tang.

Get the Parmesan Crusted Kale Grilled Cheese recipe.

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14

Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese

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This is basically a buttery, extra cheesy pressed Philly cheesesteak, and WE. ARE. HERE. FOR. IT.

Get the Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese recipe.

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15

Grilled Cheese Pancakes

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We love pancakes and we love grilled cheese, so it was only a matter of time before we put the two together for the ultimate food mash-up. We proudly present to you the grilled cheese pancake, complete with three of our most humble household cheeses: Cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Get the Grilled Cheese Pancakes recipe.

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16

Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese

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We LOVE a mashup, and this might be one of our favorites ever—chicken Parm, which is already deliciously cheesy on its own, paired with a melty grilled cheese? This sandwich haunts our dreams in the best way possible.

Get the Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese recipe.

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17

Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese

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This IS a little over the top, we admit, but sometimes you just need a heavy does of carbs—THIS is the recipe for those times.

Get the .

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18

Greek Grilled Cheese

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Want a little more oomph in your grilled cheese? Take inspiration from all your favorite Greek flavors (like in our Greek salmon or our Greek pasta), and add in your favorites. We like kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and feta, but you do you.

Get the Greek Grilled Cheese recipe.

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19

Grilled Cheese Bombs

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These are wonderful paired with everything from tomato soup to chili, or taken as a snack on the go. They have the perfect cheese to bread ratio.

Get the Grilled Cheese Bombs recipe.

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20

Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese

51 Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are More Than Just Cheddar And Bread (41)

You only need 5 ingredients to make these super flavorful grilled cheeses—mayo (for the crispiest crust), sourdough bread (or use whatever you got!), Cheddar, bacon, and, of course, a few dill pickles. We can't believe we never thought of this before.

Get the Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese recipe.

51 Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are More Than Just Cheddar And Bread (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best grilled cheese? ›

Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks

His secret? Griddle the bread on both sides. That's right. Cook two slices of bread in butter, flip 'em over so that the browned sides are facing up, add your cheese, and close your sandwich so that the cheese is sandwiched between the browned surfaces.

What else can you put in a grilled cheese? ›

Tuck in a little sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes. Add fruit. For really gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, use a mix of Gruyere and brie cheese along with thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam. Pickles, please!

What cheese melts the best for grilled cheese? ›

The best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich that is as close to your childhood delight as it gets is cheddar. It's perfect for melting, and you can find it in mild or moderately sharp variations. Pair it up with a simple sliced white bread properly coated in butter, and you're just a few minutes away from perfection.

What to add to grilled cheese to make it better? ›

Garlic bread will take your grilled cheese to the next level as its buttery, garlicky flavor brings out the warm melty goodness of the cheese inside. A combination of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella cheeses is the perfect pairing to complement your tasty garlic bread slices.

What cheese do most restaurants use for grilled cheese? ›

Chefs have a huge choice of cheeses that melt well. These include provolone, a tangy cheddar, nutty Swiss cheese, and soft cheeses. Fontina melts well, and so does raclette and the stronger-tasting taleggio. Gouda is ideal too, and asiago, but cheese that doesn't melt well can also be added in with a good melting one.

Should you use mayo or butter for grilled cheese? ›

This often means going low and slow with the heat, and mayonnaise can quicken this process. Unlike butter, which burns quickly, mayonnaise is an oil-based fat with a higher smoke point. In other words, you can turn up the heat and the mayo won't burn your bread, allowing you to achieve a photo-worthy, golden exterior.

How to jazz up a grilled cheese? ›

Out-of-the-box kitchen staples like peanut butter can easily elevate your grilled cheese sandwiches. Avocado, tomatoes, pickles, and bacon also make delicious additions.

What sauce is good on grilled cheese? ›

Salad dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette, dijon vinaigrette, or ranch salad dressings can complement melted cheese and bread. Sauces: When making a grilled sandwich out of Italian breads and cheeses, serve it alongside marinara sauce for a pizza-like rendition. Condiments: Condiments like ketchup and mustard never hurt.

What's the best bread for grilled cheese? ›

For the ideal grilled cheese, look for bread with a soft-but-hearty texture with even slices of medium thickness (about 1/4 inch). Hearty sandwich bread, sourdough, brioche, and rye all work very well. Avoid rolls and loaves with large holes in the interior.

What is a fancy name for grilled cheese? ›

Familiar names are: toastie (UK), grilled cheese sandwich (US), jaffle (Australia), panini (Italy), and croque monsieur (France). The toasted sandwich is not limited to these countries, however. You will find this popular snack, lunch, or dinner in every corner of our planet.

What vegetables go with grilled cheese? ›

"Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient-density of the meal," she says.

What can I use if I don't have butter for a grilled cheese? ›

Mayonnaise. Probably the most popular substitute for butter on a grilled cheese sandwich is mayonnaise. This is actually one of my preferred substitutes, and even what I reach for more often over butter. The mayonnaise version is a delicious option and produces a crisp crust and a wonderful, slightly tangy flavor.

What is the most popular grilled cheese cheese? ›

Sharp cheddar, Gouda, Fontina, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and brie are all good options. The amount of cheese you use will depend on the size of your bread. You can do a mix of cheeses. I love sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda together.

What are the top 3 cheeses? ›

  • Brie.
  • Camembert.
  • Cheddar.
  • Gouda.

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