13 Amazing Grilled Cheese Recipes, from Classic to Super Creative

Turkey-Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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 they're golden brown.

Make-Ahead Smoked Turkey and Grilled Onion Panini

Build, then freeze, these Italian-inspired turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches, and you'll never be 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, weighted by a couple of cans of beans or veggies, and allow two minutes per side.

Bacon-Cheddar-Chipotle Chicken Panini

Stacked with bacon, ranch dressing, 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 secret that makes this grilled cheese recipe hearty, yet healthy, is to load it with plenty of nutritious vegetables. We also make high-impact, barely noticeable swaps, like using light ranch dressing, reduced-fat cheddar, and light sour cream.

Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho with Pepperoni-Cheese Toast

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

Bresaola-Gorgonzola Panini

Tangy, crumbly blue cheese joins forces with melted 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.

Smashed Peach and Poblano Grilled Cheese

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 grownup grilled cheese at its best.

Grilled Cheese and Fruit Sandwich

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

Tomato-Avocado Grilled Cheese

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 and tomato with a boost of refreshing flavor and plenty of heart-healthy fat.

Farmers Market Grilled Cheese

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

Breakfast Grilled Cheese

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 faster than fast-food option. Add a couple of slices of cheese, such as American or cheddar, to hold everything together.

Garden Turkey Melt

With a simple homemade spread that tastes just like spinach-artichoke dip, you need just a hint of meat for this grilled cheese recipe to satisfy. We call for turkey, but ham or roast beef would also taste incredible. Since this dish is sheet pan-style rather than seared in a skillet, it's easy to double or triple and feed a crowd—without having to play short-order cook all afternoon.

Muenster, Cabbage, and Apple Sandwiches

To give this grilled Muenster cheese sandwich more substance, pack it with sweet slices of your favorite apple variety and coarsely shredded cabbage. Enhance the mellow flavor of Muenster, our cheese of choice for this recipe, with stone-ground mustard and caraway rye bread.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

We love a good 30-minute meal. But even better is a 15-minute one like this, our Dijon and cheddar twist on the classic grilled cheese recipe, and it 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.