The Best Grilled Cheese Recipes from Classic to Super Creative

Inspired by fall but a total treat any time of year, this gourmet grilled cheese packs loads of complexity into each bite. And all in less than 30 minutes! Slightly caramelize onions, then mix with apple jelly. For your foundation of buttered whole grain bread, you have some choices: stack Gouda or white cheddar, deli chicken or turkey, Granny Smith apple slices, those apple-infused onions, and more cheese. Griddle until golden brown, then chow down.

Build and freeze these Italian-inspired turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches so you're never more than minutes away from melty mozzarella bliss. Try the filling combination inside a thin sandwich roll, bagel halves, two slices of bread, or even a pita.

Test Kitchen Tip: No panini press? Make your own! Place your sandwiches in a greased skillet (cast-iron works wonderfully) over medium heat. Place another large skillet on top of the sandwiches, pop a couple of cans of beans or veggies on top, and cook the sandwiches for 2 minutes per side.

Stacked with bacon, ranch, cheddar, and more, this BLT upgrade might surprise you. You'd never expect it to be as well-balanced as it actually is (about 400 calories and a whopping 32 grams of protein!). Our little secrets that make this grilled cheese sandwich recipe hearty yet healthy all at once? Load it with plenty of nutritious veggies for satisfaction and make high-impact, barely noticeable swaps like light ranch, reduced-fat cheddar, and light sour cream instead of the full-fat versions.

Picky eaters will love this pizza grilled cheese. In this play on parlor faves, we separate the sauce (here, pepper-tomato soup) and the crust, toppings, and cheese (via the sandwich). Combine in your ideal ratios by dunking or scooping, or enjoy one at a time.

Related: 16 Recipes That Taste Like Pizza But Aren't!

Tangy, crumbly blue cheese joins forces with melty provolone on this grilled cheese with mayo that's beefed up with savory slices of bresaola (cured meat). A zippy red onion relish is the perfect condiment to cut through all the richness.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you can't find bresaola, try speck, prosciutto, or ham instead.

Sweet and savory, smoky and spicy—this gourmet grilled cheese recipe checks all the boxes. Layer roasted peppers, fresh peach slices, white cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon between buttered sourdough slices. This is a grown-up grilled cheese at its best.

Craving a fancy grilled cheese that’s worthy of a dinner party? The simple sandwich shows off its sweeter side in this quick, fruity Havarti sandwich. Reminiscent of a charcuterie board—only it's between bread—it also features pear slices, fig jam, and crunchy almonds.

This 25-minute avocado grilled cheese offers everything you adore about creamy guacamole in a convenient handheld package. Parsley and lemon juice combine with buttery avocado to make a luscious spread. The result: grilled cheese with tomato with a boost of refreshing flavor and plenty of heart-healthy fat.

Fresh-from-the-market tomatoes, spinach, and zucchini stack up to one scrumptious grilled cheese sandwich. Layer all that between two slices of crisp sourdough bread spread with herbed goat cheese, and you'll have a super-satisfying taste of summer.

You'll jump out of bed when you have this easy, cheesy recipe waiting for you! Start your day with all your a.m. favorites—bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles—by way of this quicker-than-fast-food option. Add a couple slices of cheese, such as American or cheddar, to help hold together this best grilled cheese for breakfast.

With a simple homemade spread that tastes just like spinach-artichoke dip (sold!), you need just a hint of meat to satisfy in this grilled cheese recipe. We call for turkey but ham or roast beef would also taste incredible in this summery sandwich. Since this is a sheet pan-style baked grilled cheese rather than a skillet-seared sandwich, this easy melt recipe is ideal to double or triple and feed a crowd—without playing short-order cook all afternoon.

Enjoy a taste of Italy in just 25 minutes. Everything you love about a traditional red, white, and green caprese salad—including the fresh mozzarella and basil—is featured in this gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. For a bit more tang, serve with a side of balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction for dunking.

Buy It: Bertolli Balsamic Glaze ($5, Target)

Apples aren’t just for snacking or making applesauce. Pack sweet slices of your favorite apple variety plus coarsely shredded cabbage into this grilled Muenster cheese sandwich to give the easy lunch even more substance. Enhance the mellow flavor of Muenster, our cheese of choice for this recipe, with stone-ground mustard and caraway rye bread.

What's better than creamy carrot soup? Creamy carrot soup topped with crispy little grilled cheese croutons floating on top. Try this same itty-bitty sandwich topping on French onion, squash, or tomato soup too.

We speak from experience when we recommend whipping up a double batch of the roasted garlic and edamame spread. It’s lick-the-bowl good. In addition to being a creamy companion to the juicy tomato slices on this Monterey Jack grilled cheese sandwich, it makes for a delicious dip for tortilla chips or veggie sticks. 

Buy It: Cuisinart Nonstick Double Griddle ($66, Bed Bath & Beyond)

We took all your favorite pizza fixings and stuck them between two slices of hearty Italian bread to create one killer grilled cheese melt. Kids—and kids at heart—will get a kick out of loading up their sandwiches with their top pizza topping picks. Just add a side of marinara sauce for dunking!

We love a good 30-minute meal. But you know what’s even better? A 15-minute one like this! Our Dijon and cheddar twist on the classic grilled cheese recipe offers a couple of delectable variations. For vegetarians, adorn it with cucumber, tomato, and onion. For meat eaters, pile it high with salami, pepperoni, and roast beef.

Taleggio, a mild and creamy Italian cheese with a slight fruity tang, stars with ripe pear slices and a drizzle of honey in this easy grilled cheese panini recipe. (And we mean easy: You need just 5 ingredients to whip one up.) If you don't have Taleggio, try this as a Brie grilled cheese instead.

In our humble opinion, bacon makes everything better. Avocado doesn't hurt either. So we put them together in this simple bacon grilled cheese that's awesome with smoked cheddar or pepper Jack—or both!