Recipes Appetizers Antipasto Cheese The 6 Best Cheeses for Grilled Cheese By Margaret Eby Updated on August 3, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: © CHRISTINA HOLMES Whether it's a fall snack, an accompaniment to your favorite soup, or a perfect light lunch, it's easy to land on the decision to eat a grilled cheese. Slightly more difficult is choosing which cheese will make for the optimal sandwich. The best grilled cheese is just the right combination of gooey, creamy, and flavorful. Here are our top cheese picks for a top-notch sandwich. 01 of 06 Époisses © CHRISTINA HOLMES This savory grilled cheese sandwich from chef Vivian Howard features pungent Époisses, a soft French cow's milk cheese. It's paired with spicy-sweet pepper jelly and the contrasting crunch of toasted pecans, all nestled between slices of sourdough bread. Get the Recipe 02 of 06 Cheese Curds © FREDRIKA STJÄRNE 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 like this one, which is spread with mildly spiced mayonnaise and topped with bacon and sautéed onions. Get the Recipe 03 of 06 Gruyère © CEDRIC ANGELES Richly flavored and ultra-melty, Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese that's delicious with both salty and sweet flavors. Try it with ham and strawberry–red-wine jam in this recipe. Get the Recipe 04 of 06 Cheddar © QUENTIN BACON According to cheese expert Laura Werlin, after you bite into a grilled cheese, "the cheese should stretch out past your face as far as your arm will reach." Classic, extra-sharp orange cheddar is perfect for that. Try it alongside Monterrey Jack, andouille sausage, crunchy cornichons, and a smear of Dijon mustard in this recipe. Get the Recipe 05 of 06 Taleggio © Con Poulos The fruity tang of Taleggio, a semisoft Italian cheese, provides a luscious foundation for a grilled cheese sandwich. Chef Chris Cosentino's simple version is made extra special with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of flaky salt and coarsely ground pepper. Get the Recipe 06 of 06 Havarti © PERNILLE PEDERSEN Havarti's key descriptor is often "buttery," so it's no wonder it makes such an excellent base for a buttery-crisp grilled cheese sandwich. In this recipe, smooth and creamy Havarti serves as the perfect counterpoint to spicy chorizo and pickled jalapeños, all accented by Pepper Jack. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit