Once you have mastered the basics and you can make a perfect grilled cheese sandwich every time, there is no need to fear getting bored as there are near endless things that you can do with grilled cheese sandwiches. You can start by changing up the basics by trying different breads and cheeses and then you can move on to adding condiments like mustard and meats like ham. From there you can start experimenting and you might be surprised to find that sweet things like jams work very well when combined with melted cheese in a light, buttery and toasty sandwich! Sweet and spicy chutneys are just packed with flavour and they are also really amazing in a grilled cheese sandwich! One of my favourite things to add to grilled cheese sandwiches is pestos and when combined with other ingredients they can become a real treat indeed! Another great way to go is with salads like a chicken salad, an egg salad or a tuna salad which when made in the form of a grilled cheese sandwich is sometimes called a melt.
Before we start you might want to take a look at my tips for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich every time and each of those tips applies to these gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches!
What is your favourite grilled cheese sandwich? Let me know in a comment below!
The Caramelized Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich (photo above) has to be my favorite take on a grilled cheese sandwich so far! Apples and cheddar are a great combo and this grilled cheese sandwich is a perfect example with the sweet and savoury coming together to form something greater than the sum of its parts.
Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich – A close second is this grilled cheese sandwich that includes all of the flavours of jalaeno poppers including roasted jalapeno peppers, cream cheese cheddar cheese and even some crumbled tortilla chips for crunch!
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Like buffalo wings? If so, this is the grilled cheese sandwich for you with its spicy, moist and tender chicken all smothered in melted cheddar cheese including with a hint of blue cheese.
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Another twist on a classic and this time the caprese salad. This grilled cheese sandwich includes ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a healthy dollop or two of basil pesto.
Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Pestos work amazingly well in grilled cheese sandwiches and this one was inspired by the flavours of spanakopita using a spinach pesto and lots of melty cheese.
Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich – This roasted asparagus sandwich is a favourite when asparagus is available! Just look at that melted cheese dripping out!
Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich (aka The Mushroom Melt) – A decadent grilled cheese sandwich filled to the brim with caramelized mushrooms and a sea of ooey gooey melted cheese!
Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich – When you think about a grilled cheese sandwich you think of quick, simple and cheap but there is nothing stopping you from indulging every once in a while and this lobster grilled cheese certainly is decadent.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Mango Chutney – Sweet, and spicy mango chutney is simply amazing when combined with melted cheese and encased in light, toasty and buttery bread!
This Jalapeno Cornbread Grilled Cheese with Chipotle Caramelized Onions, Refried Black Beans and Guacamole is a bit out there as far as grilled cheese sandwiches go but it is truly amazing both with it’s perfect combination of flavour and with the different textures. Definitely a must try!
Still looking for more grilled cheese sandwich recipes
Awesome tribute and recipe collection for a classic sandwich!!
You must have been reading my mind (which I think I left behind somewhere in the cheese department at Fairway this morning)!
These all sound amazing and unique in their own ways. The lobster one especially is making me miss being in New England and having it so closely at my disposal.
I'm drooling! I keep thinking one's my favorite and then I move on the next one…Kelly, I'm with you about the lobster!!
On a day you may be feeling lazy, don't forget apple butter as a filling – already cooked and flavorful!
I would say that Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich looks tops to me!
I love love love turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches – never thought about trying it grilled!!
I am completely speechless, no idea which one to choose.
They all look and sound so delicious.
Do you take away orders?
I would like one of each, please. 🙂
A great collection! They all look delicious!
I'd like the turkey, brie and cranberry thank-you – mouth watering now
I have to say. You make a damn good grilled cheese.
I love all your creative grilled cheese sandwiches 🙂 The furthest thing from boring!
I'm practically drooling… it's really hard to pick which one looks or sounds the best!
Great roundup. The mango & cardamom jam one is my favourite!
I should not have opened this post while I was feeling hungry!
I was a late bloomer on grilled cheese. Couldn't stand them as a kid. Then one day I saw the light! Now there isn't much I wouldn't do for a grilled cheese, particularly one with tomato and bacon! Your collection is making me drool. You have so many good ones on the list I don't know how I'd choose.
Mmmmm grilled cheese. Your recipes are so creative and delicious-looking! I love the concept of lobster grilled cheese :).
Wow! I haven't deviated much from the norm besides adding a slice or two of meat. But, this has definitely inspired me to try some different variations. Great round up!
I would never turn down any of these sandwiches Kevin. There is something so comforting about them.
You have truly elevated the humble cheese sandwich Kevin. I would go for the one with carmelised onions or the one with chutney.
That lobster grilled cheese is calling my name!
Grilled cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods but I have never been this creative! I love all of these ideas. Yum!
Hands down my favorite sandwich, with a side of chips and a pickle! Love all the combos in this post…a classic made even more exciting! Love all your photos!!!
Really awesome sandwiches!!!!!
I have this little grilled cheese skillet that I got from Lodge cast iron and I can't wait to use it. Thanks for all the great ideas
Good to see you're keeping your cholesterol in check =)
Yum! I think my favorites among your grilled cheeses would be the one with caramelized apples or the one with turkey and cranberries. Can you tell I like fruit with cheese?
Is there anything better than a grilled cheese sandwich?? I made one with granny smith slices and white cheddar…divine. Also wanted to say that your blog is awesome; I have it bookmarked (and I am very exclusive hehe).
well this is a droolworthy post!!! unbelievable collection of reciopes!
I love your collection of grilled cheese sandwiches. Have you ever tried a pesto,provolone,and egg grilled cheese? it's delicious
This is no closet cooking. You obviously have a PHD in making grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks for sharing!
Those look simply delicious. Whenever I read your blog I seem to walk away from the computer with a hungry belly…… =P
How about a tuna melt. Tuna (with mayo) and cheese.
Today I made a sauteed garlic mushroom grilled cheese sandwich for my husband.
I don't like mushrooms but he does.
i'm pretty sure you are officially my hero now.
I couldn't ever say no to a lobster grilled cheese! Like I mentioned on Twitter, my absolute favorite is the Middle Eastern-style grilled cheese my dad used to make for me growing up:
Halloumi, fresh mint and a drizzle of olive oil, toasted in Arabic bread hot and crispy. Mmm!
You are a genius.
I'm pretty sure I have EVERY ONE of these bookmarked! Proof that I need to get my grilled cheese on…imminently.
Hi Kevin!
Definitely a couple here I will try.
Have you trie grilled cheese and raisins?
Use raisin bread, then spread soaked raisins over the entire piece of bread. Cover with cheese, butter outsides; fry in frying pan or put under the grill in the oven.
Charlie: The raisin grilled cheese does sound good. The next time I make raisin bread I will try it!
All of these sound amazing! My latest favorite is fontina, roasted red peppers, and bacon on sourdough. delicious!
Ive made the jalapeno popper one before and it is by far the most amazing thing ever.
I love them all!! I'm drooling.
Drool…Kevin you have hit my weakness the Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich is calling out to me 🙂
OMG! Your pic made me so hungry for a grilled cheese. I haven't had one in a while. You can bet that cheese will be on our grocery list this week, and bread…can't wait to eat that oooey gooey grilled cheese 🙂
Gosh, I love grilled cheese sandwiches, but this really takes it to the next level. It is now my new goal to make all of these. 😀
Yum! I don't even eat cheese but these look so so good. You've really mastered the melty-ness, hehe. Here is a vegan version of this classic sandwich:
http://thehungrybirdie.com/2011/04/17/gettin-cheesy/
wow Your recipes are so creative and delicious-looking! I love the concept of lobster grilled cheese :)thanks for sharing this superb.
wow Your recipes are so creative and delicious-looking! I love the concept of lobster grilled cheese :)thanks for sharing this superb.
sherri lynn: What a nice combo for a grilled cheese! I have a freezer full of roasted red peppers just waiting for a home!
This looks deliciously messy!
Kevin: Let me know if you like the raisins with the grilled cheese, please.
WOW! I found you for the first time tonight. I was intrigued because I also cook in a closet! This is one of the best blog posts I've ever seen! Very impressive! Great job!….now got to go make a grilled cheese. Funny, I suddenly have this odd craving……..:)
I made the jalapeno popper grilled cheese for my boyfriend's birthday lunch today – (he loves jalapeno poppers) and it was amazing. What a great, imaginative combo! He loved it so much.
yummy! i wish i could taste the food.
my husband loves anything with chocolate chips. We put them in our grilled cheese sandwich. Yummy. You can substitute a chocolate bar instead.
I was looking for a knockout grilled cheese sandwich recipe to make for dinner tonight (to use up some bread) and I knew EXACTLY what site to come to 🙂 Thanks for all the tasty, melty, cheesy recipes!
I was in Sam's Club the other day, they had grilled cheese using a new Garlic Butter! The best Grilled Cheese EVER!
This is making me so hungry. I love cheese in any form, but sandwich form is way up there. YuM!
They all look exquisite! Personally, I love Muenster on English muffin toasting bread, as well as Cheddar on raisin bread. Yum!
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese sandwich! Love it!!!!