20 Melty Grilled Cheeses You Need to Try

By Food & Wine
Updated April 12, 2019
Crisp bread that shatters with each bite; savory, melty cheese that stretches as you pull it apart. Sometimes, nothing beats a good grilled cheese, and the fact that there’s a national holiday dedicated to it even further cements our belief that this is the king of all sandwiches. But you don’t just have to limit yourself to plain cheese and bread—try adding honey (trust us on this one), slapping on tomato and prosciutto, or mixing Fontina with mushroom and sage. We’ve gathered all of our favorite recipes to celebrate the humble grilled cheese—all you have to do is pick which one to make first.
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Époisses Grilled Cheese and Pepper Jelly Sandwiches

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This indulgent sandwich from chef Vivian Howard is a fun combination of Époisses, the pungent French cow-milk cheese, and sweet and spicy pepper jelly.

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Inside-Out Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches

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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.

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Grilled Gruyère and Sweet Onion Sandwiches

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F&W’s Grace Parisi reinvents the classic grilled cheese.

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Three-Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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For these toasty, cheesy sandwiches, look for a rich, low-tannin Syrah.

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Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches with Tapenade

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To make a gooey grilled cheese sandwich, you need a good melting cheese like Mahòn; be sure to choose a young semi-soft variety rather than a hard aged one.

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The New American Grilled Cheese

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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. Otherwise, it’s just not right.”

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Multigrain Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Seamus Mullen’s gooey Spanish version of a grilled cheese contains Mahón, Manchego and Idiazàbal, as well as tomatoes that are roasted slowly overnight. To simplify, opt for more accessible cheeses and quick-cook the tomatoes in high heat.

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Grilled Cheese-and-Bacon Sandwiches with Cheese Curds

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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.

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Grilled Ham and Cheese with Strawberry-Red-Wine Jam

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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.

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Tomato, Prosciutto and Gruyère Sandwiches

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Daniel Humm’s broiled open-face cheese sandwiches make a terrific snack or a decadent lunch. They evoke classic Swiss fondue because they combine bubbling hot Gruyère with white wine and kirsch, a cherry-flavored spirit.

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Knife-and-Fork Grilled Cheese with Honey

Credit: © Con Poulos
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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, then drizzled with honey and sprinkled with flaky salt and coarsely ground black pepper. It’s so simple, but also jaw-droppingly good

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Grilled Fontina and Vegetable Antipasti

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For an extra-savory sandwich, add a touch of grated Parmesan cheese.

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Triple-Decker Baked Italian Cheese Sandwiches

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We were already sold at triple-decker—three kinds of cheese, plum tomatoes, and thyme sealed the deal.

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Ham and Gruyère French Toast Sandwiches

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Chef Jesse Cool likes to tuck maple apples in with his ham and cheese, but the fruit can be served on the side, along with a spicy mustard or horseradish sauce.

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Grilled Cheddar and Ham with Apple and Chutney Sandwiches

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F&W’s Grace Parisi likes the sweetness of the mango chutney in this sandwich.

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Grilled Fontina, Mushroom, and Sage Sandwiches

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The grilled cheese sandwich grows up in our sophisticated version that starts with nutty, smooth-melting fontina cheese and adds a layer of sage-accented sautéed mushrooms.

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Grilled Cheese with Spinach-and-Tomato Sauce

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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.

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Chile Grilled Cheese Sandwiches


Credit: John Kernick
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Gail Simmons' grilled cheese crossed with chile-cheese gets a flavor boost from mango chutney spiced with fresh ginger, which lends both floral and peppery notes.

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Grilled Cheese and Chorizo Sandwiches

Credit: © PERNILLE PEDERSEN
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Jalapeños, chorizo, and Pepper Jack come together to give this grilled cheese a nice kick.

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Eggplant Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Add these flavorful grilled eggplants to make a great vegetarian grilled cheese sandwich.

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