Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe (2024)

This is the ultimate recipe for the grilled cheese lovers. Crispy crust and warm melted cheese oozing in every bite. This recipe takes a classic grilled cheese to the next level. Ourgourmet grilled cheeseis perfect for when you’re craving a grilled cheese but want something more filling.

No sandwich is complete without a delicious and creamy soup to compliment it! A broccoli cheddar soup pairs beautifully with the cheesy sandwich, resulting in the ultimate comfort meal!

There is nothing wrong with a classic grilled cheese sandwich, but sometimes you want something a little elevated.

What makes this gourmet grilled cheese so remarkable is how many layers of flavor. This gourmet grilled cheese has everything from the garlic butter spread to the slight fire from the chipotle sauce!

The turkey and bacon offer additional protein while providing outstanding flavor. The pickle adds a slight acidity you never knew your sandwich was missing. All that together makes for an unforgettable sandwich you will surely crave.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple. This sandwich is incredibly easy to make and takes little prep time. It’s perfect for teaching your children how to make themselves a quick lunch.
Customizable. All ingredients are interchangeable, making this the perfect recipe to customize to your preferences.
Affordable.You can make this sandwich at a very low cost, making it a great option for sticking to a budget.
A classic. A good classic grilled sandwich is a must-have in a personal recipe book, just like our tuna sandwich and egg sandwich.

Ingredients for Grilled Cheese

The ingredients for this grilled cheese are very simple and entirely customizable. You can choose what ingredients you would like to include to make this sandwich your own.

Bread –we recommend using high-quality white bread. You can buy it sliced, or buy a loaf of bread and slice it at home like our no-knead bread.
Turkey –sliced turkey makes for a great deli meat option while also being low in fat and high in protein.
Bacon – cooked bacon strips add a slight crunch and a rich, salty flavor.
Tomato –the large tomato slices add a juicy component to the sandwich.
Cheese –the cheese you use is up to you, but we recommend using a combination of sliced and shredded cheese. Choose a cheese that melts well, like American cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or Havarti.
Spicy sauce –made with a mix of mayo and your favorite hot sauce, this sandwich spread gives this sandwich just the right amount of heat.

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this sandwich is that you can easily customize it to your personal preferences or dietary needs.

Bread:Use whole-wheat bread for a healthier sandwich. Sourdough bread, ciabatta, and Italian bread are all delicious options and are great once grilled.
Meat:Use whatever deli meat you prefer. This can be sliced chicken, ham, or even sandwich pepperoni. You can even opt out of any meat and make a vegetarian sandwich.
Sauce:The spicy sauce is optional, and plain mayo may be used in its place. Adjust the heat level by adding less or more hot sauce.
Cheese:Any cheese or a combination of cheeses will work. Pick a cheese that melts well and that you enjoy the flavor. Other options include white cheddar cheese, gouda, gruyere cheese, and even brie!
Veggies:The vegetables may be to personal taste. Tomatoes and pickles add a refreshing acidity to the sandwich. If they aren’t your favorites, the sandwich will still be delicious without them. You can also add caramelized onion, red peppers, lettuce, kale, jalapenos, or banana peppers.
Gourmet: Level up your grilled cheese by adding fresh thyme or basil, and drizzle with honey for an extra refined taste.

How to Make a Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Spread sauce onto sliced bread, and layer cheese.

2. Add shredded cheese to the bread slices.

3. Finish assembling a sandwich with pickles, tomatoes, turkey, and bacon. Close up the sandwich, and spread garlic butter on the outside of the bread.

4. In a large skillet, cook the sandwich on medium-low heat until the bottom gets golden brown. Flip, and allow the other side to cook until the cheese fully melts.

Serving Suggestions

This grilled cheese works great as an easy lunch and can be served by itself or accompanied by a side.

Sandwich & soup combo:Serve this sandwich as a classicsoupand sandwich combo! Choose from acreamy tomato soup,or the chicken and gnocchi soup, or aclassic chicken noodle soup.
Sandwich & salad:For a lighter lunch or dinner, serve the sandwich with asalad. Acaesar saladpairs wonderfully with this grilled cheese, or try aspinach avocado or chicken salad for a more filling option.
Something sweet:Serve your gourmet grilled cheese with a side of your favorite berry jam and some sliced apples for a sweet juxtaposition to your sandwich.

Recipe FAQs

Why does my cheese not melt?

If your cheese isn’t melting by the time your bread starts to darken, you want to lower your heat. Turning the heat to medium-low will give the cheese more time to melt before the crust begins to burn.

Can I add more cheese?

You can add as much cheese as your heart desires!

Can I make this sandwich on the grill?

You can absolutely make this sandwich on the grill. Wrap the sandwich in foil before placing it on your grill.

Can I use leftover meat?

Yes, you can use your favorite chicken that you have left over and slice it thinly. Our pan-seared chicken or leftover air fryer chicken breast would work great in this sandwich.

Store & Reheat

Storage.A grilled cheese is best served when it is freshly made. Otherwise, the cheese hardens, and the bread can get soggy inside. Place leftovers in an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat.Warm your refrigerated grilled cheese on a skillet over low-medium heat so the bread doesn’t burn.
Freeze.If you would like to freeze a few grilled cheese sandwiches for later, we recommend not cooking them before you assemble. Make your sandwiches as you would, but don’t butter the outside. Wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap and stack them in the freezer.Reheat:Once you are ready to reheat your sandwich, remove the plastic wrap and spread garlic butter on the outside of the bread. Warm the oven to 350° F until cooked through, flipping halfway.

More Sandwich Recipes

If you enjoyed this sandwich recipe, be sure to try our other popularsandwich recipes; here are some reader favorites:

Italian Sub-Sandwich
Chicken Cutlet Sandwich
Rueben Sandwich Recipe
Chicken Philly Sandwich
Grinder Sandwich Recipe

If you tried this Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave astar rating and feedback in thecomments below – we really appreciate it!