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Our 30 Best Meltworthy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Our 30 Best Meltworthy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Updated October 25, 2018

Credit: 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

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Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese Recipe

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

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches Recipe

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Credit: 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

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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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: Photo by Jiselle Basile

Eat Grilled Cheese for Breakfast, Live Your Best Life Recipe

Let’s be real, every time you make grilled cheese, you inevitably burn one side after leaving it in the pan for too long while waiting for the cheese to melt. Solution: Cook the classic sandwich in a waffle iron. Heating it simultaneously from both sides guarantees that magical crunch upon your first bite and ensures melted cheese bliss.

Waffled Challah Grilled Cheese

Directions

Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one piece of challah, buttered side down, in the waffle iron. Top with cheese and ham. Cover with second piece of challah, buttered side up. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Done.

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Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

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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"

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

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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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

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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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

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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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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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Our 30 Best Meltworthy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese

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Grilled Ham and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Kimchi Grilled Cheese

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Kicky Grilled Cheeses

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Ham and Dijon Grilled Cheese

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Eat Grilled Cheese for Breakfast, Live Your Best Life

Waffled Challah Grilled Cheese

Directions

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Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

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Brie, Fig, and Arugula Grilled Cheese

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Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Crack Bread

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Grilled Cheese Skillet "Panini"

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The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

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Tomatillo Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwiches

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Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Grilled Margherita Sandwiches

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Grilled Apple and Cheddar Sandwiches

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Toasted Turkey, Brie, and Apple Sandwiches

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Golden Gate Grilled Cheese

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Grilled Cheese with Roasted Tomato Spread

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"Some Like It Hot" Grilled Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches

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Kale and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

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Grilled Fresh Mozzarella and Apricot on Sourdough

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Ultimate Grilled Cheese

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Cheryl's Grilled Cheese with Asian Pear

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