Grilled cheese is an integral part of many people’s childhood memories. Looking back, there’s nothing better than coming into the house after playing in the snow and being greeted by a warm crisp buttery sandwich featuring ooey gooey cheese – and a piping hot cup of tomato soup. Though plain grilled cheese remains a comfort meal that evokes delightful feelings of youth, there’s some great news for adults! Grilled cheese can be elevated from the simple recipe we enjoyed as kids to please today’s mature palate.
American businesses boost grilled cheese popularity
The beloved hot grilled cheese sandwich consists of two slices of grilled bread with melted cheese (typically cheddar or American) in the center. Some butter or mayonnaise is added to the outside of the bread to help the exterior turn golden and to add to the flavor and texture of the sandwich. Mentions of grilled cheese (or versions thereof) date to ancient Roman texts, so historically it’s been around for a long time. Fast forward to development of the American sandwich, which harken to restauranteur Frederick C. Harvey who served the sandwich at his eatery Harvey House between 1886 and 1917. Throughout time, other countries also developed their own versions. For instance, the French popularized a version of grilled cheese, the croque monsieur, which has been widely favored since the 1900s. Per HowStuffWorks, popularity of the everyday grilled cheese sandwich we know and love today is traced to the 1920s, when Otto Frederick Rohwedder, “the father of sliced bread,” invented a bread slicer that made distributing white bread easy and affordable. The grilled cheese became a staple meal during the Great Depression. Kraft’s invention of processed cheese also helped to boost the fame and affordability of the sandwich. Though we know and love the basic grilled cheese sandwich of our childhood, adults can also enjoy these elevated recipe ideas.
Try these delicious combos between two pieces of your favorite bread or create your own:
| TYPE OF CHEESE | SPECIAL INGREDIENT ONE | SPECIAL INGREDIENT TWO |
| Asiago cheese | Cooked egg | Spinach |
| Brie | Sautéed sweet onions | Fig jam |
| Double cheddar | Grilled hamburger patty | Grilled mushrooms |
| Colby cheese | Grilled chicken slices | Mayonnaise |
| Comté cheese | Sliced ham | Sliced apples |
| Fontina cheese | Sliced turkey | Prepared bread stuffing |
| Goat cheese | Prosciutto | Sliced pears |
| Gouda | Cooked pastrami | Sauerkraut |
| Gruyere | Cooked egg | Cooked sausage |
| Fontina | Sliced grapes | Finely chopped walnuts |
| Manchego | Cooked prime rib slices | Grilled onions |
| Mozzarella | Sliced tomato | Fresh basil |
| Pepperjack | Chopped tomatoes | Fresh cilantro |
| Provolone | Cooked breaded eggplant | Pasta sauce |
| Smoked gouda | Roasted chicken slices | Pesto sauce |
| Taleggio | Cooked artichoke hearts | Sundried tomatoes |
| Swiss | Slice ham | Coleslaw |
| White American | Tuna salad | Arugula |
| White cheddar | Sliced turkey | Cranberry sauce |
| Yellow American | Crispy bacon | Avocado slices |
| Yellow cheddar | Shredded cooked pork | BBQ sauce |
Do share!
What’s your favorite way to make elevated grilled cheese? Please share your inspiring ideas!