10 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches You Must Try Today
Nothing beats the comfort of melted cheese between crispy bread, but these elevated grilled cheese recipes take this classic to amazing new heights.
From sweet apple combinations to savory herb blends, these gourmet twists will transform your regular lunch into something truly special.
01. Smoky Ham and Havarti Melt
Rich Havarti cheese melts beautifully with smoky ham and fresh spinach. This sophisticated sandwich delivers incredible flavor in every single bite.
Ingredients: 8 slices potato bread, 8 oz Havarti cheese (sliced), 8 slices smoked honey ham, 1 cup frozen spinach (thawed and drained), 4 tablespoons butter (softened), salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Smoky Ham and Havarti Melt
1. Squeeze thawed spinach completely dry using paper towels or clean kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season the spinach lightly with salt and pepper, then set aside until ready to assemble your sandwiches.
2. Butter one side of each bread slice generously, ensuring coverage reaches all edges. This creates the perfect golden crust and prevents sticking during cooking.
3. Layer Havarti cheese, seasoned spinach, and folded ham slices on the unbuttered side of four bread pieces. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese melts completely. Press gently with spatula for even browning and perfect melting throughout.
02. Italian-Style Grilled Cheese
This grandma-inspired creation combines Italian flavors with classic comfort food. Rich cheeses and herbs make this sandwich absolutely irresistible every time.
Ingredients: 8 slices Italian bread, 6 oz mozzarella cheese (sliced), 4 oz provolone cheese (sliced), 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped), 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 1 clove garlic (minced).
How To Make Italian-Style Grilled Cheese
1. Mix softened butter with minced garlic and fresh basil, creating a flavorful spread that infuses every bite with aromatic Italian herbs and rich garlic taste.
2. Spread the herbed butter mixture on one side of each bread slice, making sure to cover completely for maximum flavor and perfect browning during cooking.
3. On the unbuttered side of four slices, layer mozzarella, provolone, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. The tomatoes add wonderful tangy sweetness that complements the creamy cheeses perfectly.
4. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side out, and cook in a preheated skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Cook until both sides turn deep golden brown and cheese melts completely, creating that perfect stretchy pull when you cut the sandwich in half.
03. Apple Thyme Gruyère Sandwich
Sweet cinnamon raisin bread creates magic with nutty Gruyère and crisp apples. Fresh thyme adds an unexpected herbal note that elevates this sandwich completely.
Ingredients: 8 slices cinnamon raisin bread, 6 oz Gruyère cheese (thinly sliced), 1 large Honeycrisp apple (thinly sliced), 4 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon honey.
How To Make Apple Thyme Gruyère Sandwich
1. Core and slice apple into thin, even pieces, leaving skin on for extra texture and color. Toss apple slices with honey and fresh thyme leaves, coating evenly.
2. Butter one side of each cinnamon raisin bread slice thoroughly. The natural sweetness of this bread pairs beautifully with the nutty Gruyère cheese and creates amazing flavor depth.
3. Layer Gruyère cheese and honeyed apple mixture on unbuttered side of four bread slices. Make sure apple slices lay flat for even cooking and perfect melting.
4. Top with remaining bread and cook in medium-heat skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cheese bubbles around edges.
5. Let sandwiches rest for 2 minutes before cutting, allowing cheese to set slightly while maintaining that perfect gooey texture inside.
04. Ultimate Cinnamon Bun Grilled Cheese
Buttery cinnamon buns replace traditional bread in this decadent creation. Brie, cheddar, ham, and apples make this the most indulgent sandwich ever.
Ingredients: 4 large cinnamon buns (day-old preferred), 4 oz Brie cheese (rind removed, sliced), 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese (sliced), 6 slices deli ham, 1 Granny Smith apple (thinly sliced), 3 tablespoons butter.
How To Make Ultimate Cinnamon Bun Grilled Cheese
1. Slice cinnamon buns in half horizontally, creating top and bottom pieces for your sandwich base. Day-old buns work best because they’re slightly firmer and won’t fall apart during cooking.
2. Remove rind from Brie and slice into thin pieces for easy melting. Layer Brie, cheddar, folded ham slices, and apple pieces on bottom half of each cinnamon bun.
3. Top with remaining cinnamon bun halves and butter the outside surfaces generously. The butter helps create that perfect golden crust against the sweet cinnamon bread.
4. Cook in a large skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes per side, pressing gently with spatula to help everything meld together beautifully.
5. Watch carefully to prevent burning since the cinnamon buns brown faster than regular bread. Cook until cheese melts completely and outside develops gorgeous golden color.
6. Cool for 3 minutes before serving, allowing the rich cheese mixture to set while maintaining that perfect creamy texture throughout.
05. Brie and Pear Grilled Sandwich
Creamy Brie melts perfectly with sweet, juicy pear slices in this elegant sandwich. This gourmet combination feels fancy but comes together surprisingly easily.
Ingredients: 8 slices sourdough bread, 6 oz Brie cheese (rind removed), 2 ripe pears (thinly sliced), 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped).
How To Make Brie and Pear Grilled Sandwich
1. Core and slice pears into thin, even pieces, keeping slices uniform for consistent cooking. Drizzle pear slices with honey and sprinkle with fresh rosemary for added flavor complexity.
2. Remove rind from Brie cheese and slice into manageable pieces that will melt evenly. Room temperature Brie spreads and melts much better than cold cheese.
3. Butter one side of each sourdough slice completely. Sourdough’s tangy flavor complements the creamy Brie and sweet pears absolutely perfectly in this combination.
4. Spread Brie on unbuttered side of four bread slices, then layer with honeyed pear slices. Top with remaining bread, buttered side facing outward.
5. Cook in preheated skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and Brie melts into creamy perfection throughout the sandwich.
06. Ratatouille Grilled Cheese
Roasted Mediterranean vegetables meet melted Gouda in this colorful masterpiece. Zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant create the most beautiful and delicious grilled cheese ever.
Ingredients: 8 slices crusty bread, 6 oz Gouda cheese (sliced), 1 small zucchini (sliced), 1 small eggplant (sliced), 2 Roma tomatoes (sliced), 4 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons butter, salt, pepper, dried herbs.
How To Make Ratatouille Grilled Cheese
1. Preheat oven to 425°F and slice zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes into quarter-inch thick rounds. Arrange on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
2. Roast vegetables for 20-25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized around edges. This roasting process concentrates flavors and removes excess moisture that could make sandwiches soggy.
3. Let roasted vegetables cool slightly, then layer with Gouda cheese on four bread slices. The nutty Gouda pairs beautifully with the sweet, caramelized vegetables.
4. Butter outside of bread slices and cook sandwiches in large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Press gently with spatula during cooking to help cheese melt completely and vegetables stay in place. Cook until cheese bubbles and bread reaches perfect golden color.
6. Rest sandwiches for 2 minutes before cutting to allow cheese to set slightly while maintaining that gorgeous melted texture inside.
07. Goat Cheese Mango Chutney Melt
Tangy goat cheese pairs beautifully with sweet-spicy mango chutney on sourdough bread. This unique combination creates incredible flavor balance in every bite.
Ingredients: 8 slices sourdough bread, 6 oz goat cheese (softened), 4 tablespoons mango chutney, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped), 1 tablespoon lime juice.
How To Make Goat Cheese Mango Chutney Melt
1. Mix softened goat cheese with fresh cilantro and lime juice, creating a bright, herbed spread that complements the sweet mango chutney perfectly in this unique sandwich.
2. Spread the herbed goat cheese mixture evenly on four slices of sourdough bread. The tangy sourdough enhances both the creamy cheese and fruity chutney flavors beautifully.
3. Top each cheese-covered slice with a generous tablespoon of mango chutney, spreading it evenly but leaving small chunks for texture and bursts of flavor.
4. Butter the outside surfaces of all bread slices thoroughly, ensuring even coverage for perfect browning and preventing any sticking during the cooking process.
5. Cook in medium-heat skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and goat cheese warms through, becoming creamy and delicious throughout the sandwich.
08. Triple Cheese Garlic Bread Sandwich
Three white cheeses melt together with garlic butter in this indulgent creation. Pecorino Romano, mozzarella, and provolone create the ultimate cheesy experience.
Ingredients: 8 slices Italian bread, 3 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded), 3 oz provolone cheese (sliced), 2 oz Pecorino Romano (grated), 4 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped).
How To Make Triple Cheese Garlic Bread Sandwich
1. Create garlic butter by mixing softened butter with minced garlic and fresh parsley. This aromatic mixture infuses every bite with incredible flavor and creates the perfect golden crust.
2. Spread garlic butter generously on one side of each Italian bread slice. Make sure to cover completely, reaching all edges for consistent browning and maximum flavor.
3. Combine all three cheeses in a bowl, mixing mozzarella, provolone, and Pecorino Romano together. This blend creates amazing flavor depth and perfect melting texture.
4. Divide cheese mixture evenly among four bread slices on the unbuttered side. Layer generously because these cheeses melt down significantly during cooking.
5. Top with remaining bread slices, garlic butter side facing out, and cook in preheated skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
6. Cook until both sides turn golden brown and all three cheeses melt together into one incredibly creamy, stretchy mixture that pulls beautifully when cut.
09. Pesto Grilled Cheese Delight
Restaurant-quality flavor comes together with just a few simple ingredients in this pesto masterpiece. Fresh basil pesto transforms ordinary grilled cheese into something extraordinary.
Ingredients: 8 slices sourdough bread, 6 oz mozzarella cheese (sliced), 4 tablespoons basil pesto, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 oz Parmesan cheese (grated), 2 Roma tomatoes (sliced thin).
How To Make Pesto Grilled Cheese Delight
1. Spread basil pesto evenly on the inside of four sourdough bread slices, creating a flavorful base that infuses the entire sandwich with fresh herb goodness.
2. Layer mozzarella cheese slices over the pesto, followed by thin tomato slices that add freshness and prevent the sandwich from being too rich or heavy.
3. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the tomatoes, adding extra flavor depth and helping bind all ingredients together during the melting process for perfect results.
4. Top with remaining bread slices and butter the outside surfaces completely. Use room temperature butter for easier spreading and more even coverage.
5. Cook in medium-heat skillet for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and mozzarella melts completely, creating that perfect cheese pull when sliced.
Final Thoughts
These gourmet grilled cheese recipes prove that simple comfort food can become something truly spectacular with creative ingredients and thoughtful combinations.
Each sandwich offers unique flavors that will inspire your cooking and bring restaurant-quality meals right to your own kitchen table.
