Are you craving something delicious for lunch that’s also incredibly simple to make? The trusty grilled cheese sandwich is the answer! This traditional comfort food is more than simply a sandwich; it’s quick, simple, and incredibly fulfilling. The possibilities are uncountable with grilled cheese sandwiches as you can change the recipe in many different ways and pair the classic sandwich with different dishes to enhance the flavour.
Let’s dive into a world of cheesy goodness and explore some fantastic lunch ideas:
Classic & Speedy
To begin, let’s start with a time-tested favourite: the straightforward but incredibly tasty grilled cheese sandwich. Take your favourite bread, spread some butter on it, pile on your favourite cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, American, you name it! ), and cook it till it’s golden brown. And voilà! A quick, melty, and comfortable treat ready in less than minutes.
Gourmet Upgrade
Feeling a bit fancy? Elevate your grilled cheese game! For a gourmet twist, place crispy bacon or sliced tomatoes in between the cheesy layers. This basic sandwich is elevated by the crispy bacon bits or the juicy tomatoes, giving it the sensation of a gourmet meal without all the work.
We have some more gourmet recipes for you to try to elevate your grilled cheese game quickly and easily:
Pesto and Tomato Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of bread
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
- 1 ripe tomato (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Spread the pesto sauce on one side of each of the two slices of bread.
- Arrange the mozzarella cheese slices on their non-pesto side.
- Place sliced tomatoes over the cheese, then place the remaining bread slices, pesto side down, on top of each.
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet that has been heated to medium heat.
- Put the sandwiches in the skillet and cook, adding extra butter if necessary, until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove from the slice, and serve hot, soon as the cheese has melted, and the bread has become crispy.
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of bread (sourdough or multigrain)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts (canned or marinated)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Combine the grated Parmesan, chopped artichoke hearts, chopped spinach, and mozzarella cheese in a bowl.
- After spreading the cheese and vegetable mixture over two slices of bread, top each with a second slice of bread.
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet that has been heated to medium heat.
- Put the sandwiches in the skillet and cook, adding extra butter if necessary, until golden brown on both sides.
- When the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted, take it off the stove, cut it into slices, and enjoy this savoury, creamy treat!
BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of bread (Texas toast or sandwich bread)
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken.
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Combine the shredded chicken and barbecue sauce in a bowl.
- Top two slices of bread with a layer of cheddar cheese.
- Place the grilled chicken over the cheese and top with the remaining slices of bread.
- Melt one tablespoon of butter in a skillet that has been heated to medium heat.
- Put the sandwiches in the skillet and cook, adding extra butter if necessary, until golden brown on both sides.
- When the cheese has melted and the bread is crispy, take it off the burner, cut it, and enjoy this delicious combination of BBQ flavour and cheesy pleasure!
Creamy Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they become transparent. Once fragrant, add the minced garlic and simmer for an additional minute.
- Add the broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the sugar, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil and stir. After bringing the mixture to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer it for 15 to 20 minutes while stirring now and again.
- After the soup has simmered and the flavours have combined, purée the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or a blender.
- Put the soup back in the pot. For extra creaminess, whisk in heavy cream if using it. Give the soup a few more minutes of gentle heat.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir the soup, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve hot.
Conclusion
There you have it: the grilled cheese sandwich offers an endless number of options! It makes the ideal lunchtime companion because it’s quick, easy, and changeable.
