the best ways to make grilled cheese + 7 ways to spice up your grilled cheese | national grilled cheese day

It’s no secret that grilled cheeses are my favorite food. If I had to eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be grilled cheese and tomato soup. It seems only right to me that it gets its own national holiday. When I first moved to Lincoln for college, my mom even bought me a Liddle Griddle to serve my obsession. I still use it to this day.

I think my grandma has made the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had. I’m not sure if I was just really hungry that day, or if she’s just a grilled cheese magician. Somethings up. I have even tried her method and gotten close, but she still wins.

I could have grilled cheese every day, but I’ve been trying to cut back to once a week or so. I also usually have to make them myself because I’m picky about how they’re made and most restaurants don’t put butter on the outside before they “grill” it (mistake). Then it’s just toasted cheese bread. NOT OK. Not right.

Today I’m going to share with you my tried and true, ride or die, Grandma Bon method of making grilled cheese and then a few ways to spice it up.

The Grandma Bon Method

My grandma’s name is Bonnie and my family all calls her Grandma Bon. She even got her license plate to read GMA BON. It’s so cute. Whenever I go over to visit her, she offers to make me food because she’s the sweetest.

My entire life, I was taught to make grilled cheese with Kraft singles (mistake). This is all I knew and I always enjoyed it. Until Grandma Bon made me her grilled cheese. My life was changed.

Step 1 – the bread

A grilled cheese is only as good as the bread {and cheese} you use. It’s the foundation of the sandwich. My all-time favorite bread to use for grilled cheese is the Old Fashioned White Bread from Great Harvest Bread Co. in Omaha {you could probably find similar breads at any local bakery}. This bread is my top choice for classic grilled cheese.

Step 2 – the cheese

Cheese is also very important. Like I said before, Kraft singles do not make the best grilled cheese. Shredded cheese makes the best grilled cheese. For the classic, use sharp cheddar. Shredded cheese melts so much better than a slice of cheese and gives it all the gooey goodness.

Making the grilled cheese

1. heat a griddle to medium high
2. take 2 slices of bread and generously butter one side of each (using real butter, softened)
3. place one slice — butter side down — on the griddle
4. top with shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5. top with other slice of bread — butter side up
6. carefully (without losing all the cheese) flip the sandwich when the first side has browned
7. press sandwich with spatula to flatten and seal the cheese inside
8. *Grandma Bon trick* cover sandwich with a dome pot lid to seal in heat and melt the cheese completely
9. remove from griddle once second side has browned
10. cut in half and ENJOY immediately

I also like to heat up a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup for dipping. Or if you wanna get crazy you could make your own.

Ways to Spice Up Your Grilled Cheese

Now for the fun part! My personal favorite is the {above} classic grilled cheese, but I also switch it up from time to time. Here are a few ways to spice up your grilled cheese!

The Grilled Cheese Donut

A sweet AND savory little miracle. I first had one of these at Tom + Chee and my life was forever changed. We no longer have a Tom + Chee in Nebraska, so I make these with a Krispy Kreme glazed donut and a Kraft single {it’s easier that way, shreds just don’t work on a donut}. These are in no way good for you but they’re oh SO GOOD.

Slice the donut in half, butter the cut sides and prepare as the classic grilled cheese.

The Spicy Grilled Cheese

Another thing that changed my life was the discovery of jalapeño havarti cheese. I love all things jalapeño flavored. I also love cheese.

Havarti cheese melts really well and this cheese just tastes SO GOOD on a grilled cheese {repeat steps from classic grilled cheese with the Old Fashioned White Bread}. Disclaimer: jalapeño havarti is kind of difficult to find, but I can usually find it at Whole Foods or Fresh Thyme. You will need to shred this cheese because it comes in blocks.

The ‘Grown Up’ Grilled Cheese

Sometimes I play a game of whatever’s in the fridge. Usually I come up with tomato, bacon crumbles, onion, avocado and (sometimes) jalapeño. Prepare the classic way and throw in the extra ingredients with the cheese.

There comes a point where you have to ask ‘is this a grilled cheese? or a sandwich with melted cheese on it?’ When it comes to making a grilled cheese, if you add too much {especially adding meat} it’s just not a grilled cheese anymore. I’ve seen short rib grilled cheese — which I don’t consider to be a “grilled cheese.”

A few other ways I like:

Brie, apple butter, apple slices, honey and pecans — I made these little crostinis one night for the most dramatic Bachelor finale ever and decided that it would be a great grilled cheese. It. Is. Amazing. Find the crostini recipe here and just use those same ingredients {with the Old English-style bread}.

Caramelized onions — just sauté the onions in butter and then add to a classic grilled cheese.

Grilled Cheese with Parmesan and Herb Crusted Bread

After step 2 of the classic grilled cheese, sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese and thyme on the griddle and place the first slice of bread on top. The cheese will melt and stick to the bread. Repeat with the other slice. It just adds an extra layer of cheese and a good crunch to the bread.

Strawberry Jelly Dipped Grilled Cheese

Here I go again..shouting out my babe, Patsi. She told me her grandma made her grilled cheese this way and then made me get it for her at Panera. I’ll be honest I thought this one was weird at first. It’s actually really good! You can go about this in a few different ways: 1. spread it on the inside of the bread before grilling 2. spread it on top of the sandwich after grilling 3. dip it. Personally, I like to dip it because I’m just not a fan of hot jelly.

Grilled Cheese Buttered with Mayo

Instead of using butter on the outside, butter the outside generously with mayo. It fries up the bread so nicely and adds a creamy flavor to the bread. Mayo spreads better than butter and doesn’t burn up as quick.

Grilled Cheese Animal Style

Ummm hello Animal Style. Honestly, I spend my days thinking about the next time I’m going to eat In-N-Out {it’s October in Vegassss}. I found this recipe for an Animal Style grilled cheese and I’m OBSESSED. My go-to at In-N-Out is two Double Doubles Animal Style with no tomato or lettuce. I would add pickle slices to this recipe, too.

I told you grilled cheese was my favorite food. I wasn’t even exaggerating. I’m no chef, but I make a mean grilled cheese. I make it so many ways and now you can, too!

Thanks so much for reading babes! Let me know how you make grilled cheese.

xoxo  Jess

photos by Caitlin Manley
IG: @caitlinmanleyphotography