The classic grilled cheese has to be the simplest form of comfort food in my opinion. This one is FAR from the “original” that most of us remember from our childhood. My “Fancy” Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is taking it up a notch, and it couldn’t be easier. I wouldn’t even call this a recipe, it’s more of a guideline. And as if melty cheese wasn’t a good enough reason to motivate you to get out that cheese grater & your griddle, it’s too good to be this easy!
This is also makes a fantastic meal prep! Make this cheesy filling for the week and you will have a hot sandwich to serve with your favorite soup, salad, or even just a piece of fruit. This pairs well with my Fresh Dill Tomato Cucumber Salad. Want to add protein? Add a slice or two of ham in the middle before grilling.
Whether it’s for my kids or my husband, I haven’t met anyone that didn’t love this sandwich. This is a perfect for those summer vacations, holiday breaks, or long weekends. You can either divide the recipe in half or double it if you have a crowd to feed. Whether you homeschool, work from home or have access to warm up your lunch on the go… just whip up the cheese filling and store it in the fridge for up to one week.
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What You’ll Need:
Bread- The sky is the limit here. Use what you love, however, I do not recommend the cheaper sliced sandwich bread. Go for something a little more hearty that can stand up to all of the melted goodness. Maybe try Texas Toast, Country White, Multigrain or even a nice Gluten Free bread. Do you make your own bread? Try my Butter, Potato or French Bread using the dough cycle of a bread machine.
Cheese- Grate your own cheese, this is probably the most effort that this recipe will require. In my experience, the pre-grated stuff does not melt the same. I usually go for a combination of Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella & Cream Cheese. The cream cheese is the only one that is a MUST, but you can customize the rest with your own favorites. Try Monterrey Jack, Jalapeno Jack, Colby Jack, Swiss, White Cheddar or go fancier with a little Gruyère.
Butter & Mayo- Mayo is another must for the filling. Along with the cream cheese, it helps to bind the shredded cheeses together to make a spread. You can either butter the bread or spread on more mayo before cooking. Both work great to give the bread that golden crispiness.
Electric Griddle, Cast Iron Skillet, or Large Pan- I love to use my electric griddle to make these. I generally make the filling and cook 3 sandwiches at a time for my family. The large cooking space allows me to be done in the kitchen much faster. If you don’t have one, you can use a large skillet or pan.
Looking for more lunch ideas?
Healthy Lemon Herb Salmon Salad
If you try my “Fancy” Grilled Cheese Sandwiches or any of my other recipes tag me on Instagram @joymakersandco, I’d love to see what you make!
“Fancy” Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
- 10 thick slices of your favorite bread
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl combine all cheese, mayo, garlic powder, and salt to taste. Mix by hand until well combined or with a electric hand mixer on low.
- Pre-heat an electric griddle to 325 F or a large skillet to medium-heat.
- Butter two slices of bread, both sides. Spread a good layer of the cheese mixture onto one slice of bread. Top with the other slice and cook until golden brown on one side and the cheese starts to melt, flip the sandwich and cook the other side.
- Plate your sandwich and cut in half. Serve alone or with a side of soup, salad, or fruit.
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