RECIPE: Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

There's something so delicious about ooey, gooey cheese melted between two pieces of toasted bread. But why stop there? Try these three twists on the classic grilled cheese to elevate your sandwich experience and enjoy grilled cheese anytime of day — from breakfast to dessert! 

Each of these grilled cheese sandwich ideas uses the basic concept of buttering the outside of two pieces of bread, filling the middle with cheese (and a few other things), and then grilling it in a pan, on a griddle ... or even better yet, using a panini press!

Sarah Boucher

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 slice of cheese
• 1 slice of ham or bacon
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 slices of bread
• Butter

Directions:

1. Fry the egg in a greased pan on the stovetop; season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired. The yolk should be partially cooked (over medium) for best results. 
2. Butter the outside of two pieces of bread.
3. Place the egg, cheese, and ham or bacon between the slices of bread.
4. Grill the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the bread is at your desired level of crispiness.

Getty Images via Canva

Ingredients:

• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Sliced tomatoes
• Garlic powder, to taste
• Italian seasoning, to taste
• Fresh basil (optional)
• 2 slices of bread
• Butter

Directions:

1. Butter the outside of two pieces of bread. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder, to taste.
2. Place the sliced tomatoes and cheese (and fresh basil if desired) between the slices of bread.
3. Grill the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the bread is at your desired level of crispiness.

Getty Images via Canva

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese
• Fruit jam or preserves of your choosing
• Ground cinnamon (optional)
• 2 slices of bread
• Butter

Directions:

1. Butter the outside of two pieces of bread. Sprinkle the buttered side of the bread with cinnamon, to taste, if desired.
2. Spread a thick layer of cream cheese and a thin layer of fruit jam on the non-buttered side of one piece of bread.
3. Put the second piece of bread on top, butter side out. 
4. Grill the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the bread is at your desired level of crispiness.

Get creative with your grilled cheese by changing up the kind of cheese or fillings you use, experimenting with your favorite seasonings, or even varying the type of bread you use! The best part? With a little creativity, grilled cheese is not just for lunch, it's for any time of day!

Sarah Boucher is the publisher of Macaroni KID Grand Haven-Spring Lake-Muskegon, Mich.

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