Did you know that April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day? I don’t really need an excuse to eat a grilled cheese, but this sounds like the perfect occasion to cook up a plate of toasty, melty goodness!
Grilled cheese sandwiches are great for families because you almost always have the ingredients on hand, they’re easy to make, and your children will never complain about eating them. There’s also something really cozy and nostalgic about biting into a grilled cheese. You instantly feel like a kid again!
If you’ve managed to make it this far in life without mastering the grilled cheese sandwich, I’m happy to share a few of my favorite tips. It doesn’t take much to make them delicious, but my goal is crispy, golden bread on the outside and gooey cheese inside.
Here are some tips to help you create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich!
First, butter your bread.
To achieve perfectly browned bread, I spread room temperature butter on the outside of my sandwich before grilling it. This, of course, gives it a buttery taste, but it also helps the bread get that beautiful, even toasty texture. I have also heard valid arguments for using mayo or oil, and those work too.
Low and slow.
The biggest mistake you can make when grilling your sandwich is turning the heat too high because it will cook your bread before your cheese has a chance to melt. We definitely don’t want burnt bread! Find a nice medium-low heat and be patient so your sandwich has ample time to do its thing.
Experiment with ingredients.
There’s nothing wrong with just bread and cheese, but there are plenty of ways to elevate your sandwich and mix up the flavors.
Here are a few of my family’s favorite grilled cheese sandwich recipes:
Breakfast Grilled Cheese
Who wouldn’t want to start their day with a grilled cheese? Our breakfast version has cheddar, eggs, and bacon on sourdough bread. You get all of your favorite breakfast foods packed into one satisfying sandwich!
Pizza Grilled Cheese
If you’re a pizza fan, you’ll love this simple idea! Just use slices of mozzarella cheese and a dollop of pizza sauce on slices of wheat or Italian bread. You can even add your favorite toppings, like pepperoni or olives.
Hawaiian Grilled Cheese
This sweet, spicy grilled cheese is my personal favorite. The key is to use Hawaiian bread and then fill it with pineapples, jack cheese, and barbecue sauce. The flavor contrast is mind-blowing!
Avocado and Tomato Grilled Cheese
I don’t think there’s a “light” version of a grilled cheese sandwich, but the avocado and tomatoes make this sandwich quite refreshing!
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese
If you want a bit more sophistication, try this one! It has leaves of fresh spinach, artichokes (from a jar is perfect), red pesto, and mozzarella cheese on wheat bread. Although my kids happily gobble it up, the flavors add a grown-up touch!
With all of these options, we are definitely prepared to celebrate National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day!
