The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Guide

The secret to Chris Kronner's delectable sandwiches is the jam spiked with Pinot Noir. Kronner got the idea when he was helping Elisabeth Prueitt test jam recipes while they drank wine.

Add these flavorful grilled eggplants to make a great vegetarian grilled cheese sandwich. Slideshow: Fantastic Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Call it an adult version of the grilled-cheese sandwich—slices of country bread layered with mozzarella, goat cheese, and tomato-sauced spinach and toasted to a golden brown.

Chef Chris Cosentino proves here that you can elevate the humble grilled cheese sandwich into something magical with just a few tweaks. His buttery, crisp version is filled with luscious Taleggio cheese.

Spicy, savoury Spanish sausage is the perfect complement to the pickled jalapeños, Pepper Jack, and Havarti in this toasted sandwich.

This grilled cheese crossed with chile-cheese gets a flavor boost from mango chutney spiced with fresh ginger, which lends both floral and peppery notes.

Seamus Mullen's gooey Spanish version of a grilled cheese contains Mahón, Manchego and Idiazábal, as well as tomatoes that are roasted slowly overnight.

Cheese curds are small chunks of just-made cheese that haven't been pressed into a shape. They're milky and delicious in a grilled cheese sandwich like this one.

Pork, three cheeses—blue, cheddar, and Parmesan—and tart spiced apple chutney make up this delicious grilled sandwich from Santa Monica chef Raphael Lunetta. 

A super-easy sandwich, this grilled cheese calls for a mix of Gruyère, fontina and mozzarella.

The best way to improve on a great grilled cheese is to sprinkle some cheese on the outside of the bread. It creates a super-crisp, cheesy crust.

The best grilled cheese is the gooiest grilled cheese, says author Laura Werlin: "After you bite into it, the cheese should stretch out past your face as far as your arm will reach."