16 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes For A Quick, Cheap, Summer Dinner

When you’re craving comfort food but don’t have the energy or time to make a meal, grilled cheese sandwiches are the perfect choice. They have plenty of melty cheese, and crispy, buttered crunch and they just make you feel better. Pair them with a side or eat them as a stand-alone meal or snack. Here are sixteen grilled cheese recipes that you need to try out now. 

1. Taco Grilled Cheese

A stacked taco grilled cheese on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: Sugar And Soul.

Can’t decide if you want grilled cheese sandwiches or tacos for dinner? Or maybe you have some leftover taco meat but you aren’t really in the mood for another taco. A taco grilled cheese sandwich is the solution to both of these problems. Seasoned meat and taco toppings are sandwiched between melty layers of cheese and crispy grilled bread for a sandwich you will love. 

2. Mediterranean Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A stacked Mediterranean grilled cheese sandwich on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love Mediterranean flavors, this Mediterranean-style grilled cheese sandwich is an amazing option for lunch or dinner. It’s full of Mediterranean flavors that offer a hint of sweetness from dried apricots. It’s a wonderful sandwich to serve with some baked potato fries or a bowl of soup.

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe With Blackberries

A close up of a stacked Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich on a white platter.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

This grilled cheese sandwich with blackberries is about to change your life. The sweet and savory combination is to die for, and the melty cheese is everything you hope for in a grilled cheese sandwich. This can be made with regular cheese or plant-based cheese and gives you a flavorful balance of sweet and savory mixed in with a hefty dose of comfort.

4. Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A horizontal view of this Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you are a fan of the jalapeno popper, you’ll love this jalapeño popper grilled cheese sandwich. The flavors are just what you’d expect from a jalapeno popper but with more melty cheese. It’s a hearty sandwich with an adjustable level of spice. Use mild or spicy peppers, or adjust the amount of peppers you use. No matter how you make this, you’ll love the true jalapeno popper flavor in this sandwich.

5. Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups

Grilled Cheese Roll Ups with a side of marinara for dipping on a white plate.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you’d like to revisit your childhood, try these grilled cheese roll-ups. You can make them with or without pesto and even reduce the fat content by cooking them in your air fryer. The only work involved is flattening the bread with a rolling pin so it rolls up easily. Aside from that, it’s no different than making any other sandwich, but the flavor is significant, especially if you use plenty of pesto (although that is optional).

6. Grownup Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A Grownup Grilled Cheese Sandwich, cut in half and placed on a white plate.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

We all grew up on a basic grilled cheese sandwich of bread and melted cheese, but we’re grownups now. It’s time for a Grownup Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and this one does not disappoint. Your favorite bread, some cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze are all you need to take a grilled cheese sandwich to new heights.

7. Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe With Salmon

Overhead view looking down onto a cut cut sandwich on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

Don’t miss out on this Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe With Salmon. Seafood lovers will adore this one. It has all the melty cheesy goodness plus a dose of heart-healthy salmon on delicious bread. This sandwich is wonderful served with a side of fries or even some steamed veggies if you want to make your meal a little healthier. Either way, it will be both filling and comforting.

8. Campfire Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Thyme And Apple

A closeup of a cut Fire Pit Thyme And Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich laying on a cutting board.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

If you love to cook around the campfire, don’t forget the grilled cheese sandwiches. This campfire grilled cheese sandwich with thyme and apple is a total game changer that even the kids will love. It offers a savory flavor with a hint of sweetness from the apples. The apples and cheddar are also a classic combination that won’t disappoint. Serve this with soup, a salad, or any other campfire goodies you like.

9. Best Lobster Grilled Cheese

A closeup of a lobster grilled cheese sandwich.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you love seafood, try this lobster grilled cheese sandwich. It’s rich, decadent, and just a little bit life-altering. This wonderful New England-style sandwich combines melty cheese with fresh lobster. The combination is undeniably delicious and pairs well with a cup or bowl of tomato soup or seafood chowder.

10. Triple-Decker Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese With Gruyere

A closeup of a caramelized grilled onion grilled cheese sandwich.
Photo Credit: The Gourmet Bon Vivant.

Don’t skimp on the caramelized onions on this Triple-Decker Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese With Gruyere. All that sweetness from the caramelized onions mixes perfectly with the savory flavor of the cheese. It’s a combination that was meant to be. It’s decadent and absolutely delightful, served with soup or a side of French fries.

11. 10-Minute Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese

A Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese Sandwich cut in half and laying on parchment next to two bowls of tomato soup.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If there is no time to stand at the stove, try this 10-minute sheet pan grilled cheese. Your sandwich cooks itself with way less fat than pan-frying, and the finished sandwich is just as melty and just as delicious dipped in tomato soup. You can even make some baked fries to go with this if you want a heartier meal.

12. Mushroom Grilled Cheese

A closeup of a cut mushroom grilled cheese sandwich.
Photo Credit: This Mom Is On Fire.

Mushroom Grilled Cheese? Yes, please. This grilled cheese is perfect for mushroom lovers. It has all that delicious mushroom flavor nestled inside one of your favorite comfort foods. Mushrooms and onions paired with cheese make the ultimate grilled cheese, and this particular recipe is perfect served with French fries or tomato soup.

13. French Onion Grilled Cheese

A hand holds a french onion grilled cheese sandwich as the cheese drips down.
Photo Credit: Coley Cooks.

This French onion grilled cheese combines grilled cheese and delicious onions. It’s truly the best of both worlds and much easier than making French onion soup. Enjoy all the flavors of this beloved soup, but have it as a finger-food sandwich that very nearly surpasses the delicious flavor of this soup. But if you really must have soup, try this with tomato soup. It’s a classic combo that works for so many different types of grilled cheese sandwiches.

14. Harissa Grilled Cheese

A vegan grilled cheese with veggies on a white plate.
Photo Credit: Strength And Sunshine.

This sandwich is a great option for anyone who is plant-based and gluten-free. Yep, even vegans can enjoy a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. This Gluten-Free + Vegan Harissa Grilled Cheese is perfect served with a side of vegan tomato soup. For a heartier meal, make a pan of baked potato fries for the ultimate lunch or dinnertime meal.

15. Pear Bacon And Brie Grilled Cheese

A cut pear and bacon grilled cheese sandwich on a plate.
Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This unexpected pear, bacon, and brie grilled cheese combo brings something new to the menu. A simple swap from cheddar or mozzarella to brie provides extra oomph that complements the sweet pear and savory bacon. Think of this as a truly leveled-up grilled cheese that can be served to guests and still impress.

16. Roast Beef Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

A closeup of a halved and stacked roast beef and smoked gouda grilled cheese sandwich.
Photo Credit: Running To The Kitchen.

For the beef lovers out there, this roast beef smoked gouda grilled cheese is so meaty, cheesy, and filling that it will be enough to keep you full all day. You can always add some fresh veggies if you need a nutritional boost, but this stack of deliciousness is darn near a perfect meal all on its own. A side of potato fries would go really well with this.

More From The Gracious Pantry

A closeup of a Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken sandwich topped with creamy coleslaw on a whole grain bun.
Photo Credit: The Gracious Pantry.

Want more sandwich ideas? Here are a bunch of recipes you won’t want to miss. Up your sandwich game to keep lunch interesting and tasty with one of these twelve recipes.

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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