37 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes, Tomato Soup Not Required
A grilled cheese sandwich is a beautiful, simple, perfect thing. But grilled cheese recipes can go beyond the basic concept, dialing the flavors up with sharp cheddar or sourdough bread, or swapping in Havarti, Gruyère, goat cheese, or even Brie. Our favorite recipes skew breakfasty—think eggs-in-a-hole, but as a sandwich—or add ham, tomatoes, or even broccoli rabe for a hearty lunch. Add a little olive oil or butter to your griddle or cast-iron pan, pick a grilled cheese path, and head toward sandwich perfection.
Could you serve these with tomato soup? Sure. But they definitely don’t require it.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton1/37Bombay Masala Chile Cheese Toasties
Melty, cheesy, crunchy, spicy—these sandwiches, a street food favorite in India, check all the boxes. There's a tender potato filling, crisp vegetables, and oozing Monterey Jack or Emmenthal or American cheese tucked between toasty slices of white bread that are spread with an invigorating cilantro chutney. To take this lunch really over the top (and way outside of tradition), Epi contributor Tara O'Brady likes to wedge a few potato chips into the sandwich as she eats. Does this count as a grilled cheese sandwich? We say yes, and beyond.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson2/37
Nutella Grilled Cheese
We'll let you in on a secret: chocolate makes the best grilled cheese sandwich even better. Chocolate-hazelnut spread and cheese melt together into a sandwich that's the ideal sweet-and-savory snack.
- Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell3/37
Chakalaka and Cheddar Braaibroodjies (Grilled Cheese Sandwiches)
The liberal spoonful of spicy vegetable relish makes these crispy sandwiches extra special. If you don’t have a jar of chakalaka in your fridge, you can use any type of relish or chutney. These sandwiches are typically truly grilled, outdoors, but this recipe is adapted for the stovetop.
- Photo by Alex Lau4/37
Breakfast Grilled Cheese With Soft Scrambled Eggs
The best breakfast grilled cheese has a filling of quick scrambled eggs, cooked with two tablespoons butter and enriched with cream cheese so they stay perfectly tender. Each piece of bread gets some cheese, and you fill with the eggs before closing the sandwich. Toast over medium-low heat until it's a perfect golden brown.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin5/37
Monte Cristo With Apple-Hatch Chile Jam
Monte Cristo sandwiches usually have a sweet element, like powdered sugar sifted over the top, or raspberry jam served on the side for dipping. In this version, you’ll cook green apple and canned green chiles down into a sweet and spicy compote to slather on your bread.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Styling by Ali Nardi6/37
Grilled Heirloom Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwiches with Green Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho
It's hard to improve on grilled cheese with tomato soup—but that's exactly what this sandwich does. It lends layers of red heirloom tomatoes and smoked mozzarella. It transforms the soup with green heirlooms, and serves it cold. The mix of flavors, textures, and colors takes this classic to a new level.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone7/37
Gochujang Grilled Cheese
If your vision of the perfect grilled cheese has a little touch of heat, add gochujang for a savory, warming factor that enhances the combo of white cheddar, Gruyère, fontina, pancetta, and tangy pickled okra.
- Photo by Gentl & Hyers8/37
Grilled Cheese With Peak Tomatoes
Progression of a tomato sandwich: On buttered bread with salt; on bread with mayo and cheddar; seasoned and grilled with cheddar and mayo. They’re all pretty perfect, but we’ll take the advanced version, thanks.
- Photo by John Von Pamer9/37
Cauliflower Melts
What better way to eat your vegetables than in a cheesy melt?
- Claire Benoist10/37
Tomato-Prosciutto Grilled Cheese
Take the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo and make it into one sandwich with tomato jam.
- Photo by Peter Frank Edwards.11/37
Fancy Grilled Cheese With A Fried Egg
You need a knife and fork for this over-the-top grilled cheese, but it's secretly one of those easy recipes that just seems fancy.
- Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Alison Attenborough12/37
Spinach and Artichoke Melts
Your favorite creamy dip—but in a form you (and your kids) can happily eat for dinner. Serve with a salad of bitter greens and a bright vinaigrette.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton13/37
Sheet-Pan Grilled Cheese
So delicious. So creamy. This brilliant sheet pan method allows you to make big batches of grilled cheese sandwiches all at once, so you can cut down on the total time it takes to make lunch (or dinner) for the whole family.
- Photo by Elizabeth Cecil14/37
Croque Madame With Cranberry-Mustard Relish
You know how the cheese sometimes oozes out of a grilled cheese while it’s cooking and gets all brown and crunchy when it hits the skillet? Well, this open-face sandwich recipe is dedicated to making that happen on purpose.
- Photo by Maes Studio, Inc.15/37
Waffled Ham and Cheese Melt With Maple Butter
This sandwich is reason enough to finally get a waffle maker for your kitchen. Buttering the bread before you waffle it ensures a crispy, golden brown exterior. Adding the maple butter right as the sandwich comes out of the waffle iron means the sweet, rich mixture soaks into the still-warm bread.
- José Picayo16/37
Grilled Cheese and Fried Egg Sandwiches
This grilled cheese already has trouble containing itself. Add a runny egg, and you're entering some messy territory. Pass the napkins.
- Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott17/37
Best-Ever Grilled Cheese
Diagonal or rectangle cut? It does make a difference.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell18/37
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
A delightfully mustardy version of the battered and fried turkey, ham, and cheese sandwiches.
- José Picayo19/37
Spanish Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Manchego and Jamón Serrano
Salty cured Spanish ham meets its match in this panini with Manchego and chopped dates. Could you sip a glass of sherry or vermouth alongside this grilled sandwich? We won't stop you.
- Jennifer May20/37
Grilled Artisan Cheddar & Fig Jam Sandwich
Just when we had the grilled cheese at its peak, this fig jam and a panini press twist had to happen. And we're reevaluating everything.
- Photo by Naturally Ella21/37
Garlicky Kale Grilled Cheese With Melted Gouda
A grilled cheese sandwich fit for an adult loaded with wilted kale and perfectly melted gouda cheese.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes22/37
Grilled Cheddar and Fennel Sandwiches with Curry Mayo
If you've ever wished for more complex flavor in your grilled cheese, this Gourmet recipe is for you. Curry powder-laced mayo, extra-sharp Cheddar, and a very thinly sliced fennel bulb work together beautifully.
- Maria Robledo23/37
Pressed Turkey and Farmhouse Cheddar on Egg Bread
A little sweet and little savory—this grilled cheese is a viable option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Photo by Nicole Franzen24/37
Egg-in-a-Hole Sandwich With Bacon and Cheddar
Step one: cut holes in two pieces of sourdough. Step two: fry eggs in those holes. Step three: slap them together with crispy bacon, melty cheddar, and plenty of hot sauce.
- Photo by Alex Lau25/37
Salami and Pickle Grilled Cheese
This sandwich can be lunch, a snack, or a late-night thing. Eat it with potato chips and lemonade; it's also great with a simple green salad for dinner.
- Photo by Noel Barnhurst26/37
Grilled Ham and Gouda Sandwiches With Frisée and Caramelized Onions
Your choice of cheese makes all of the difference.
- Ditte Isager27/37
Grilled Ham, Cheese and Pickle Sandwiches
Smear the bread with mayo on both sides and then grill in butter for the ultimate golden-brown crunch.
- Marcus Nilsson28/37
Forager Sandwich
"Acid and texture are the most important things," says chef Eli Kulp. His hearty vegetarian breakfast sandwich—with its mix of marinated mushrooms, soft eggs, melted cheese, and a buttery toasted roll—proves his point.
- Photo by Christopher Testani29/37
Prosciutto, Watercress, and Fontina Toasties
The keys to achieving razor-edged triangles: Let the sandwiches cool slightly, then slice with a serrated knife.
- Miryam Quinn Doblas30/37
Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
These caprese grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious comfort-food classic that the whole family will love.
- Photo by Tara Donne31/37
Grilled Cuban Sandwich (Sandwich Cubano)
Roasted pork, sliced ham, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese, dill pickle chips, buttered bread, all carefully assembled.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes32/37
Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Panini
You know what they say: little fish—big flavor. This panini has the anchovies to prove it.
- Todd Coleman33/37
Tortas de Salchicha (Grilled Hot Dog Tortas)
If you don't eat beef, you can make this torta with turkey hot dogs or plant-based hot dogs, too. The split hot dogs are griddled and tucked inside bread, then dressed with refried black beans, American cheese, crema, mustard, avocado, and more.
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- Photo by Alex Lau34/37
Charred Caprese Sandwich
How do you improve on a classic Caprese? Grill your tomatoes—and then spill them over charred baguette.
- 35/37
Slow-Cooker Cuban Pulled-Pork Panini Sandwiches
Layer on the lechon asado, ham, and Swiss—and don't forget the dill pickles. This hearty sandwich can be prepared in a panini press or hot skillet.
- Hans Gissinger36/37
Chocolate-Raspberry Panini with Mascarpone
Forget S'mores. This summer, we're making these sweet grilled sandwiches.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell37/37
Diner-Style Patty Melt
You don't have to miss on out patty melts (the classic burger and grilled cheese sandwich hybrid) if you're trying to cut down on your beef intake. Just sub in ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based patties in this recipe.
Tara O'Brady
Lisa Elbert