15 GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE IDEAS: ELEVATING A CLASSIC
A classic grilled cheese sandwich—which is traditionally American or cheddar cheese toasted between slices of white or wheat bread—is a beloved comfort food. There are many ways to enhance and embellish this versatile sandwich for an upgraded take—or gourmet grilled cheese recipe—to please a range of tastes and palates.
FANCY GRILLED CHEESE IDEAS
Every grilled cheese begins with golden, crisp bread and oozy melted cheese. A fancy grilled cheese recipe may include unusual breads and less traditional cheeses with a few unexpected additions. Instead of white bread and cheddar, you might try a creamy Camembert and cranberry relish, grilled between slices of herby artisan bread. Read on for more terrific gourmet grilled cheese ideas, including ingredient inspiration for making your own grilled cheese creations.
1. CINNAMON ROLL GRILLED CHEESE
Decadent cinnamon roll bread, creamy chevre, peppery arugula and earthy figs come together in one big, delicious sweet and savory grilled cheese treat. Use a KitchenAid® Bread Bowl with Baking Lid and your KitchenAid® stand mixer1 to mix, knead, proof and bake all in one bowl.
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2. AVOCADO GRILLED CHEESE
Creamy avocado, goat cheese and fresh herbs are grilled between slices of whole wheat bread for an irresistible sandwich.
3. HONEY CRISP, GRUYERE, MUSTARD, PROSCIUTTO & SPINACH GRILLED CHEESE
Crisped prosciutto and apples make perfect sweet and salty accents to the gooey, melted Gruyere goodness of this grilled cheese sandwich.
4. TOMATO BISQUE WITH MINI GRILLED CHEESE
A few subtle tweaks can take a grilled cheese from pretty good to pretty great. This recipe calls for a crispy baguette instead of ordinary white bread, cheddar cheese and a little fresh basil. Experiment with different cheddars—an aged or smoked white cheddar, one made with truffles or honey. Serve your gourmet grilled cheese with a homemade tomato bisque.
BREAD
Two slices of fresh, flavorful bread are at the heart of every delicious grilled cheese. A simple homemade sandwich bread is a surefire option, but hearty artisan breads studded with nuts, dried fruit and even chocolate will help elevate your grilled cheese. Don’t overlook a crispy baguette, tangy sourdough or good seeded bread either.
5. CHOCOLATE CHERRY RYE BREAD
Sweeter breads are great at helping create more unexpected and complex flavors for your grilled cheese. This chocolate rye bread is made with dried cherries and chocolate chips and is undeniably delicious when paired with a creamy Fontina or Havarti cheese and a drizzle of warm honey. The KitchenAid® Bread Bowl with Baking Lid and your KitchenAid® stand mixer1 will enable you to mix, knead, proof and bake all in one bowl.
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6. SOURDOUGH BREAD
A good homemade sourdough bread has an ideal texture and delicious tang that works well for an elevated grilled cheese. Try a southwest flavor profile, pepper jack or manchego, guacamole and salsa for a zesty sandwich. Use your KitchenAid® stand mixer1 and the KitchenAid® Sifter + Scale Attachment for automatic, hands-free sifting.
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7. CHALLAH BREAD
Challah is made from an enriched dough for a bread that’s soft, pillowy and slightly sweet. Consider grilling it with Gruyere, caramelized onions and your favorite jam or honey for a festive lunch with friends.
8. NO KNEAD ITALIAN SEMOLINA BREAD
A grilled caprese sandwich—lots of stretchy mozzarella, some ripe Roma tomatoes and fresh basil—make for a delicious way to enjoy this tasty bread.
CHEESE
Cheese is the star ingredient of every successful gourmet grilled cheese. It inspires and drives all other component choices. There’s an awesome variety of cheeses to choose from to suit every whim and craving. In addition to semi-hard and hard cheeses, consider creating with cheese spreads as well.
9. PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD
Slather this spicy, southern favorite on a crisp baguette with a little pickled onion and grill it up in a KitchenAid® countertop oven, for an easy warm weather grilled cheese. Replace the hot sauce with homemade sriracha for a little extra something, something.
10. APRICOT CHEESE SPREAD
This simple spread is made with apricot jam and cream cheese. Kick it up a notch by adding a pinch of cayenne and a few fresh herbs. Grill it on a nutty wheat bread, as is, or add a second cheese—Stilton, smoked Gouda, Fontina—and some thinly sliced Serrano ham for a fancy grilled cheese.
GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE EXTRAS
In addition to delicious cheeses and breads, you can upgrade your grilled cheese with special condiments and unexpected ingredients. Caramelized onions, bacon glazed with maple syrup and bourbon or spicy herbed mayos and flavorful chutneys are just the beginning. Fire up your griddle and let your imagination lead you to some new and exciting flavor combinations.
11. SAGE PESTO
Sage, mint and thyme are highlighted by lemon and orange zests in this lively pesto. Make it in a KitchenAid® 3.5 Cup Food Chopper for an easy enhancement to grilled cheese.
12. GUACAMOLE
Whip up a batch of this bold, flavorful guacamole to top off a luscious grilled queso fresco and pepper jack grilled cheese. The KitchenAid® K150 Blender will help bring the guac together in a flash.
13. MINT CILANTRO CHUTNEY
Fresh and bright, chutney makes a harmonious addition to a grilled cheese sandwich. Try making your sandwiches with paneer to complement the bold Indian flavors of the chutney.
14. SPICED PEAR AND CARAMELIZED SHALLOT JAM
Brimming with warm spices, pears, raisins, nuts and shallots, this flavor-packed jam and a handful of greens make a mouthwatering addition to a fancy grilled cheese. Use a KitchenAid® Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender to blend the ingredients in the same pot you cook them in.
15. SPICED GARLIC DILL PICKLES
Not only do they help cut through the richness of the cheese, but these pickles also bring a crunchy, spicy tanginess to grilled cheese. Use a bold Swiss or an extra sharp cheddar—or both—to stand up to the distinctive pickle flavor.
WHAT IS BEST CHEESE FOR GRILLED CHEESE?
Cheese is a versatile ingredient so you can make a wide variety of cheeses work for your sandwiches. Semi-soft and hard cheeses like Fontina, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Havarti, provolone, mozzarella and cheddar melt well for that gooey, stretchy cheese texture and have flavors that combine well with other cheeses and ingredients. Use grated or thin slices of cheese for easier melting. Pre-shredded cheeses may contain additives that prevent them from melting easily,so freshly grated cheese is optimal.
Using two or three cheeses can help create interesting, nuanced gourmet grilled cheese. If you want to use a stronger tasting cheese or a soft cheese, consider combining it with a milder cheese to balance flavors and textures. Have fun and experiment with different cheese combinations to create a delectable grilled cheese customized to your unique tastes.
TIP: MAYO
Instead of spreading butter on your bread before grilling, try mayo instead. Mayo is a little lighter than butter and packs a bit of a tang to help cut through the richness of cheese. Because it’s an oil-based fat with a higher smoke point than butter, it’s easier to toast bread spread with mayo to a crisp golden brown without burning. Cook your grilled cheese slow and low to ensure that the insides are as melty as the outsides are crispy.
WHAT IS BEST BREAD FOR GRILLED CHEESE?
Like cheese, bread is another flexible ingredient, which means many breads can work well for a grilled cheese. Look for breads with interesting flavors—herbs, nuts, seeds and bits of dried fruit can enhance a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s also important to use breads that have a texture that can stand up to multiple ingredients and lend themselves to grilling. Many artisan breads have a good texture for grilling, as do sourdoughs, ryes, brioches and wheat or white breads. Avoid breads that will become too hard or dry when grilled.
WHAT SEASONINGS PAIR WELL WITH GRILLED CHEESE?
Think beyond bacon and tomatoes while considering ingredients, flavorings and seasonings to enhance your grilled cheese sandwiches. Sweet ingredients like honey, fruity jams or spreads, thin slices of apple or pear and caramelized ingredients are excellent additions to a grilled cheese. Kick up the heat with hot sauces and chutneys, and dial down the richness with peppery greens, grated citrus or vinegary pickles.
WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH GRILLED CHEESE?
The hands-down most popular side for grilled cheese is tomato soup. There are almost as many ways to dress up tomato soup as there are grilled cheese. This Roasted Tomato Basil Soup won’t disappoint. For something a little different try a Roasted Red Pepper Soup that blends up easily in a KitchenAid® K400 Blender. Or try a Carrot Ginger Soup and create cheesy croutons by cutting grilled cheese into bite-sized pieces to sprinkle over your soup.
Salads also make excellent accompaniments to grilled cheese. A Simple Spinach Salad with Dijon Lemon Dressing and a glass of crisp white wine are a perfect way to complete an elegant grilled cheese lunch or light dinner.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® GRIDDLES & COUNTERTOP APPLIANCES
KitchenAid has just what you need to make expert grilled cheese. Grill your creations to crispy perfection on a KitchenAid® cooktop. Expertly brown, sear and crisp sandwiches from edge-to-edge on the KitchenAid® 48” Smart Commercial-Style Dual Fuel Range with Griddle featuring quick preheating and precise temperature control. Embrace your creativity and take all your dishes to new heights with the complete collection of KitchenAid® countertop appliances.
