Our 30 Best Meltworthy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

October 25, 2018
Photo: Tina Cornett; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr
These cheesy sandwiches bring big smiles, no matter the age. Whether paired with soups, salads, or kicking it solo, the comforting grilled cheese is a beaming icon in the foodie world. Ooey, gooey, and cheesy on buttery bread — what more is there to love?
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Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese  

Time Inc. Video Studio 
Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese   Recipe

This incredible sweet-meets-savory sandwich is buttery and beautiful way to celebrate apple season.  

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Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches Recipe

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Classic cordon bleu translates delectably as a raveworthy grilled cheese. The sour cream and Dijon spread give this cheesy sandwich that crisp factor we all know and love.
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Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Time Inc. Video Studio
Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

This simple sheet pan technique allows you to make five grilled cheese sandwiches with at the same time (meaning everyone around the table gets an equally gooey and warm sandwich at the same time), and with not much more effort than it takes to prep one. We went with 4 type of cheese—goat, white cheddar, provolone, and Swiss—for these buttery, rich sheet pan grilled cheese sandwiches, but feel free to change the cheeses up depending on what you like or what you have in your fridge. You could also dress these up with a few added toppings, like spinach, basil leaves, and tomato slices—or allow folks to customize their own sandwich. Your grilled cheese, your choice. 

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Kimchi Grilled Cheese

Jennifer Causey
Kimchi Grilled Cheese Recipe

Tangy-spicy kimchi brightens the taste of a rich, toasty grilled cheese sandwich. We use a combination of two cheeses for the best flavor and texture. Fresh mozzarella is creamy, slightly firm when melted, and mild enough to allow the kimchi to shine; Monterey Jack is ultra creamy when melted and slightly tangy, which echoes the taste of the kimchi. The kimchi retains some crunch in the sandwich, creating a great textural contrast to the soft cheese.

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Kicky Grilled Cheeses

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Hadduck Hillegas
Kicky Grilled Cheeses Recipe

Liven up a simple grilled cheese with Sambal Oelek, a spicy chili paste that delivers Asian-inspired heat. Trade out your heavy cheeses for a reduced fat sharp cheddar and low fat cream cheese. Topped with wilted kale, this is a sandwich that is packed with greens and protein, yet still tastes like an indulgent, grown-up take on a kids' classic.

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Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese

Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese Recipe

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Eat Grilled Cheese for Breakfast, Live Your Best Life

Photo by Jiselle Basile
Eat Grilled Cheese for Breakfast, Live Your Best Life Recipe
We’re waffle-y proud of this trick for perfectly toasting this sandwich, every time

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Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Recipe
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Brie, Fig, and Arugula Grilled Cheese

Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Brie, Fig, and Arugula Grilled Cheese Recipe

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Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Crack Bread

Time Inc. Video Studio
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Crack Bread Recipe

The ultimate soup and sandwich combo—creamy tomato soup and a gooey grilled cheese—come together as one in this recipe for an incredible, snackable pull-apart bread. Starting with an already-made loaf of crusty Italian bread, this creative take on a classic food pairing is super easy to pull together and makes for a rave-worthy appetizer for anything from tailgates to holiday gatherings. Such loaded loafs of pull-apart bread have affectionately earned the name "crack bread" because of how absurdly addictive they are. Not gonna lie, we legitimately cannot get enough of this one, loaded with tomato soup and plenty of cheddar cheese.

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Grilled Cheese Skillet "Panini"

Photo: Iain Bagwell Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas 
Grilled Cheese Skillet "Panini" Recipe
A gooey, golden-crisp grilled cheese sandwich is the perfect partner to Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup.
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The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe

With only 3 simple ingredients, this truly is the ultimate grilled cheese. Perfect for a tight budget or someone who's short on time, this uncomplicated comfort food sandwich is the perfect any-time meal. Use mayonnaise instead of butter for added flavor and to keep the bread from burning.

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Tomatillo Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwiches  

Photo: Alex Farnum; Styling: Randy Mon
Tomatillo Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwiches   Recipe
Tart tomatillo, also known as the Mexican husk tomato, adds major flair to this bacon grilled cheese sandwich.

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Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower 
Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Soft, buttery avocado amps up the irresistible gooeyness of this grilled cheese. Tomato brings a bright, acidic contrast to the richness of cheese and avocado.
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Grilled Margherita Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Grilled Margherita Sandwiches Recipe
This quick five-ingredient entrée transforms a favorite pizza combo into a melty grilled sandwich.

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Grilled Apple and Cheddar Sandwiches

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Grilled Apple and Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe
Step up your grilled cheese sandwich game by adding a Dijon mustard spread and sliced tart apples.

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Toasted Turkey, Brie, and Apple Sandwiches

Photo: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Karen Shinto
Toasted Turkey, Brie, and Apple Sandwiches Recipe
This apple butter spread makes these cheesy, grilled turkey sandwiches stand out from the rest. Add apple slices for an added touch of crispness.
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Golden Gate Grilled Cheese

Photo: Annabelle Breakey
Golden Gate Grilled Cheese Recipe
You don't have to be in San Francisco to enjoy this inside-out grilled cheese sandwich. Double the cheese, double the goodness.

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Grilled Cheese with Roasted Tomato Spread

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Claire Spollen 
Grilled Cheese with Roasted Tomato Spread Recipe

We love the combo of grilled cheese sandwiches and roasted tomato soup--so why not combine the two in each ooey-gooey bite?

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"Some Like It Hot" Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell
"Some Like It Hot" Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Made with pimiento cheese, bacon, and strawberry preserves, "Some Like It Hot" Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwich is the mother of all pimiento cheese sandwiches.
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Kale and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr
Kale and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Recipe

Veggies get in on the grilled cheese action with this gooey Kale and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese sandwich.

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Grilled Fresh Mozzarella and Apricot on Sourdough

Photo: Annabelle Breakey
Grilled Fresh Mozzarella and Apricot on Sourdough Recipe
Creamy mozzarella and tangy-sweet apricot are a match made in sandwich heaven. Can we get an amen for this silky grilled cheese?

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Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower 
Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe

For the Ultimate Grilled Cheese, we slather reduced-fat cheddar cheese that's combined with light cream cheese and canola mayo on whole-grain bread; then sauteed in olive oil. This mixture melts into a gloriously silk, ultracheesy filling.

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Cheryl's Grilled Cheese with Asian Pear

Photo: Thomas J. Story 
Cheryl's Grilled Cheese with Asian Pear Recipe
Sink your teeth into this melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese sandwich for a sweet surprise inside. Asian pear and sweet onions bring major flavor factor to this gooey stack. Could it be love at first bite? We think, yes.

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Simple, Classic Grilled Cheese

Photo: Thomas J. Story 
Simple, Classic Grilled Cheese Recipe
You can't go wrong with a classic, especially when it's a grilled cheese. Add finely chopped herbs for a fresh take on this family favorite.

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Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Photo: Oxmoor House
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Recipe
Just like Mom used to make, only better. Keep this sandwich old-school with sliced American cheese.
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The New American Grilled Cheese

Photo: Quentin Bacon
The New American Grilled Cheese Recipe

The best grilled cheese is the gooiest grilled cheese, says author Laura Werlin: "After you bite into it, the cheese should stretch out past your face as far as your arm will reach. Otherwise, it's just not right."

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Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Grilled cheese sandwiches aren't just for the kiddos. A new take on a familiar favorite pairs grilled cheese with a BLT for a luscious veggie-packed sandwich that feels like an indulgence.

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Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches

Photo: Tina Cornett; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr
Grilled Chicken 'N' Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Take a normal grilled cheese from everyday to extraordinary by adding delicious chicken salad to the mix.
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