Gourmet Grilled Cheese - This gourmet grilled cheese sandwich is pure comfort food perfection!
With golden brown, crispy exteriors and gooey cheese melting from every corner, this cheese sandwich recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will elevate your cheese game beyond traditional grilled cheese.
There's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into the best grilled cheese when autumn breezes start calling for comfort food. This isn't your average cheese sandwich - it's a melty cheese masterpiece featuring premium white cheddar cheeses and a crispy parmesan crust that makes every bite absolutely divine. Pair it with a steaming bowl of tomato soup for a great combo that never goes out of style!
Speaking of tomato soup, this sandwich is the ideal companion for our tomato and bacon soup, whether served alongside or used for dipping - which is exactly how we love to enjoy it.
This elevated cheese sandwich recipe transforms simple ingredients into next level comfort food that satisfies every craving. Whether you're upgrading your traditional grilled cheese game or exploring new cheese recipes, this gourmet approach delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.
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What You're Going to Need!
- Mayonnaise - This secret ingredient gives your cheese sandwiches that special "zing" you can't achieve otherwise, plus it helps the shredded cheese adhere to create that perfect crispy crust, (we like Duke's brand best).
- Butter - Always use unsalted for better flavor control.
- Bread - The foundation of any great sandwich! We selected a French whole wheat boule from The French Kitchen locally. Look for thick cut bread slices that are crusty outside but tender inside - artisan quality makes all the difference.
- Cheeses - Choose good melting cheese varieties that create that signature gooey cheese texture. Our selection includes premium options.
See recipe card for quantities.
Recipe
Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the bread into two evenly thick pieces of bread.
- Slice and grate the cheeses before you begin heating the skillet.
- Start heating the skillet over medium heat, (it's important to start with a hot skillet)
- Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise onto one side of each slice of bread.
- Add half of the unsalted butter to the pan, let it melt, turn down the heat so it doesn't scorch.
- Place both slices of bread in the pan with mayonnaise side facing up, and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the mayonnaise (1 Tablespoon per side)
- Flip the bread slices over and arrange the other cheeses evenly across one slice of the bread.
- Place the other slice of bread on top of the slice with the cheese. With the parmesan mayonnaise side up. Add the remaining unsalted butter to the pan.
- After about 2 minutes on low heat flip the sandwich with the spatula being careful to keep both sides together.
- Cook an additional 2 minutes or until all melted cheese is warm and gooey, remove the sandwich from the pan, cut in half if you want! And enjoy!
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Smear one side of each slice of bread with mayonnaise.
2. Melt the butter over medium heat. See the hint and Chef Tip below for more about controlling the heat for golden brown perfection.
3. Once the butter is melted and foaming, place both pieces of bread into the pan, mayo side up.
4. Sprinkle an even layer of the shredded Parmesan cheese on each slice.
5. Flip both slices over and arrange the other cheeses on one of the slices.
6. Flip the other slice on top of the cheese stack. Notice that the Parm crust is melted but not yet golden brown.
7. Turn the whole sandwich over once the crust is set on one side.
8. Once the cheese interior reaches that ideal gooey consistency, , remove, cut, and serve with Tomato and Bacon Soup, (notice the cheese melted out and into the pan, that's a sign of comfort food perfection!).
Chef Tip
Heat control is absolutely essential for this recipe. Pay close attention to temperature instructions in the recipe card. You're working with whole butter, mayonnaise, and cheese in direct pan contact - all ingredients that burn easily with excessive heat or become greasy without adequate heat. Start with medium heat and adjust as needed for that perfect golden brown finish.
Our Premium Cheese Selection
- Gruyere - This legendary French melting cheese offers a sharper Swiss flavor profile, traditionally crowning French onion soup with its incredible melting properties.
- Cotswold - Defined as a double Gloucester with spring onions and chives added. It's flavor is like a slightly more buttery cheddar.
- Gorgonzola -This mild Italian blue cheese melts beautifully and appeals even to those typically avoiding blue cheese varieties.
- Irish Aged White Cheddar - A tangy and salty cheddar, the Irish variety has a tendency to melt well, being a little less dry than the English.
- Quesadilla - This is the traditional Mexican cheese used for melting, especially in, you guessed it, quesadillas! Super mild and stretchy, if you can't find it, low moisture mozzarella is a perfect substitute.
- Parmigiana Reggiano - The king of hard aged cheeses. Get the real deal, with the printing on the rind. It is worth the extra price.
Check out Cheese.com for the best information on all things fromager!
Substitutions & Variations
- Spicy Version- add some roasted green or red chilis to kick it up a bit and take your cheese recipes to exciting new territories.
- Deluxe - as long as what you add isn't too moist, you can add just about anything to this, (caramelized onions, crisp bacon, prosciutto, fresh basil...).
- Kid friendly - this recipe will work beautifully if you switch out all of that "fancy" cheese with good ol' American cheese!
- Gluten Free - Using a gluten free bread product of your choice will still make a delicious sandwich.
Storage & Helpful Hints
While ingredients for this gourmet grilled cheese store well in an airtight container, this sandwich demands immediate consumption. We strongly recommend serving within 10 minutes of completion for optimal texture and temperature.
Consistent, even heat proves vital for achieving the best results. Avoid rapid temperature drops when adding bread or flipping - this creates soggy, greasy outcomes. Heavy-bottomed skillets or cast iron pans maintain steady heat distribution, ensuring your Swiss cheese and other varieties melt to perfection while achieving that coveted golden brown exterior.
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Jason Miller says
gooey goodness