The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

We have been on a quest to create the best grilled cheese sandwich, and here it is! The combination of creamy garlic and herb spread with mozzarella makes this sandwich extra gooey and decadent. I've made this same sandwich in both regular and Vegan versions, and they are both out of this world.

How to Make The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

We're sure that, by now, you've seen a million different variations of this awesome classic. And we're sure we can agree on one thing:  the level of awesomeness of a grilled cheese pretty much always comes down to the quality of the cheese you use.

To create this delicious combination of crunch and creamy goodness (exactly what a grilled cheese sandwich is supposed to be), you need a combination of great cheeses.

We wanted to recreate some of our favorite Mediterranean flavors, so we decided to add walnuts, sundried tomatoes, and basil. Adding the cheese spread makes the sandwich extra creamy and adds a slight hint of garlic and chive flavor, and also makes the mozzarella extra creamy and decadent. 

When you make our tasty grilled cheese sandwich recipe, make sure to grab a couple of extra napkins. You're gonna need them.

Ingredients for the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• Garlic and Herb Soft Spreadable Cheese such as Boursin. If you are not familiar with Boursin it's a creamy cheese similar to cream cheese, but more crumbly and with a stronger flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts or Pecans. Toastyour walnuts first, if you can, for added flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Usually sold in a jar when packed in oil. We used sundried tomatoes packed in oil for this recipe. Usually found in the condiment aisle in your supermarket.
• Butter
• Rustic or Sourdough Bread. we like to make fancy grilled cheese using artisan bread because it gets really crunchy. You may try using also a baguette.
• Baby Spinach Leaves. You may substitute with baby arugula or basil leaves.
• Kalamata olives or your favorite olives
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese. Quality is king! The better your mozzarella the better your sandwich.

Ingredients for a Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Keep the same ingredients mentioned above but just switch the cheeses and the butter.

Vegan Butter Substitute. Pick your favorite vegan butter, we like to pick a vegan butter with a neutral flavor that won't compete with the grilled cheese flavors.

Shredded Vegan Mozzarella Cheese. There are so many plant-based cheese alternatives on the market today. Use your favorite. Miyokos and Violife usually do a great job with their vegan cheeses.

How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Whether you are making the regular grilled cheese or the vegan version, the instructions are exactly the same.

1. Begin by combining the garlic & herb cheese, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes and mix well until creamy. Butter your bread on one side of each slice. Lightly toast the buttered side in a non-stick, cast iron, or grill pan.
2. Remove the bread from the pan and spread the garlic herb cheese mixture on the two non-buttered sides.  Load up your sandwich with the spinach, olives, and cheese on one side and close the sandwich with the other slice, butter side up.
3. Heat a nonstick, cast iron, or grill pan.  Place the sandwich and cook at medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crunchy.

What is the best cheese for a Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

The importance of good cheese is particularly true if you want to go the vegan route. Because let's face it, not all vegan cheeses are created equal! We recommend trying Vegan Boursin or Miyokos, vegan mozzarella (such as Violife ), and vegan butter (Miyokos)

Because both of these cheese types are also free of dairy and cholesterol; and lower in saturated fat and calories than full dairy cream cheese and cheese, they're the perfect option for vegans or people with lactose intolerance.

FAQ

Can I make a gluten-free grilled cheese sandwich?

Yes. You can absolutely make this a gluten-free sandwich simply by choosing your favorite gluten-free bread.

What is the best cheese for grilled sandwiches?

The best cheese for grilled is really whatever cheese you like best and enjoy the most. Some prefer American cheese, we prefer cheeses like feta cheese or goat cheese in combination with a melting cheese such as mozzarella, gouda, cheddar etc. Change up the recipe to match your taste. Be sure to check out our other grilled cheese recipes!

What bread is best for grilled cheese sandwiches?

Rustic bread or sourdough are both amazing for this grilled cheese recipe! A bread that will crisp up as it is grilled is ideal, in our opinion, but if you are a classic go with sandwich bread.

What's the best way to make a grilled cheese sandwich?

Ideally, you would use a skillet, a cast-iron skillet, or a grill pan for the best results. We have not tried a panini maker, if you have let us know how your grilled cheese comes out!

Tips to Make an Awesome Sandwich

1. Get your skillet hot before you begin, but lower the heat so the bread doesn't burn before it crisps up.
2. Don't skimp on the cheese, this is not the time to save on calored. Pick your favorite cheeses and enjoy!

What to Serve with Grilled Cheese

• For a classic pairing, try Creamy Tomato and Roasted Eggplant Soup (Vegan and Gluten-Free) or our Rice Tomato Soup
• You might also enjoy your tasty vegetarian grilled cheese sandwich with a fresh salad instead. Try our cucumber avocado salad or tomato chickpea and avocado salad

More Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Manchego Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Romesco
• Vegan Caramelized Onion & Apple Grilled Cheese
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Feta Cheese Tomatoes and Spinach
• Za'atar Pita Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Grilled Cheese with onions and mushrooms
• Vegan Grilled Cheese with tomatillo salsa

The Best Grilled Cheese

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• Author: Vicky and Ruth
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 1 sandwich 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

The combination of creamy garlic and herb spread with mozzarella makes these sandwiches extra gooey and decadent. I've made this same sandwich in both regular and Vegan grilled cheese versions, and they are both out of this world.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Regular Grilled Cheese

• 2 tbsp garlic and herb soft spreadable cheese such as Boursin. Preferably at room temperature.
• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2 tsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 2 tsp butter
• 2 large slices of rustic or sourdough bread
• 10 baby spinach leaves
• 8-10 kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half
• ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese or 2-3 fresh mozzarella slices

Vegan Grilled Cheese

• 2 tbsp garlic and herb soft spreadable cheese such as Vegan Boursin or Miyokos. Preferably at room temperature.
• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2 tsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 2 tsp vegan butter substitute
• 2 large slices of rustic or sourdough bread
• 10 baby spinach leaves
• 8-10 kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half
• ⅓ cup shredded vegan mozzarella cheese

 

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Instructions

Instructions for regular grilled cheese and vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are the same

1. In a small bowl combine garlic & herb cheese, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes and mix well until creamy.
2. Spread 1 tsp of butter on one side of each bread slice. Lightly toast the buttered side in a non-stick, cast iron, or grill pan. Remove from the pan.
3. Spread the garlic herb cheese mixture on the two non-buttered sides.  Place spinach, olives, and cheese on one side and close the sandwich with the other slice
4. Heat a nonstick, cast iron, or grill pan.  Place the sandwich and cook at medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crunchy.
5. Serve immediately.

Notes

This post was originally published on May 25, 2014. It has been updated

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Sandwich
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 sandwich
• Calories: 512
• Sugar: 4.8
• Sodium: 789
• Fat: 31.6
• Saturated Fat: 15.8
• Unsaturated Fat: 13.1
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 38
• Fiber: 4.2
• Protein: 22.5
• Cholesterol: 80