Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day with Grilled Cheese Recipes

When you think of comfort food, where does your mind normally go? For me and so many other people, it’s grilled cheese. Grilled cheese is such a popular sandwich that, just like peanut butter and jelly, it’s got its own day dedicated to it.

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day just passed on April 12^th, and to celebrate all things grilled cheese I have several grilled cheese recipes you can try. But before we get into recipes, let’s go over what you need to make the best grilled cheese at home.

Small appliances you use to make grilled cheese recipes

You can easily make grilled cheese recipes in a cast iron pan or skillet, but when you want to make the absolute best grilled cheese, I’d recommend these small appliances.

Panini press

A panini press is great for any type of hot sandwich, but when it comes to grilled cheese, it can make magic.

Griddle

Making grilled cheese for a crowd? You need a griddle, and a griddle is great if you don’t want to compress your bread during the grilled cheese making process.

Bread maker or loaf pan

I’ve tried all types of breads for grilled cheese and I like using homemade bread the best. You can easily make your own if you have a bread maker or loaf pan handy.

Waffle iron

I swear, a waffle iron makes the best grilled cheese ever. Take a look below for a great recipe for waffle iron grilled cheese.

Grilled cheese recipes

If your idea of a grilled cheese is two pieces of white bread, a slice of cheese, and a bit of butter on the sides, you’re in for a treat. That makes for a great grilled cheese, but when you really stuff your sandwiches with unique grilled cheese ingredients, you make a simple sandwich into a gourmet meal.

Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese Recipe

I always make a turkey on Easter, and although I do so because everyone loves turkey instead of the traditional Easter ham, I also have these grilled cheese in mind. You don’t have to add the pepper jack cheese, but I like how it gives the grilled cheese a nice kick.

Ingredients

4 slices sourdough bread or white bread
2 tablespoons mustard
4 slices Monterrey Jack cheese, sliced
4 slices Pepper Jack cheese
Roasted turkey, sliced
Cranberry sauce to taste
Butter to cover bread pieces
Sriracha sauce to taste, if you’re interested in something spicier

Directions

Heat up a large skillet on your range or plug in your panini press and turn it to med-high.

Add mustard to 2 slices of bread. Layer each piece of bread with as much cheese, turkey and cranberry sauce as you’d like, then add the top piece of bread.

Completely cover the outside of the grilled cheese sandwiches with butter.

Place sandwiches in the panini press or in your skillet. If you’re using a skillet you’ll have to press down on the sandwich with your spatula, but with a panini press you’ll be able to just pop it in and let the press do the work. Cook until brown and cheese is bubbling from the sides.

Waffle, Stuffing, and Turkey Grilled Cheese

I saw this recipe online and I modified it in my own kitchen. Whenever I make it I’m reminded of that episode of Friends where Monica makes Ross an after-Thanksgiving sandwich and someone eats it. That might be because these are so good no one wants to share. I don’t have a photo of my own creation, but this pic from GrilledCheeseSocial will give you an idea of why you want to make this.

Ingredients

Leftover stuffing
Leftover mashed potatoes
Leftover turkey
Cranberry jelly
Sliced cheese (I like to use pepper jack but you can use any kind)

Directions

Heat up your waffle iron and assess your leftover stuffing situation. If it’s on the dry side add a tablespoon of water and mix until moist.

Spray your waffle iron with olive oil. Place your stuffing on your waffle iron, making sure you hit all the edges. Close your waffle iron and let it cook for a few minutes. These take longer to cook than a regular waffle so keep checking every minute or so until golden and crispy.

Remove your stuff waffle and repeat for another waffle. Let your stuffing waffle sit for a minute or two so it’s easier to work with.

Add a layer of hot leftover mashed potatoes. Add your cheese and cranberry jelly. Add in your leftover turkey. Place the second waffle on top of the first and place back on your waffle maker.

Let heat for a minute or two. Remove from waffle maker and serve.

Pizza grilled cheese

Pizza night and you’re not in the mood for your same old pizza? Try a pizza grilled cheese. It’s easy, delicious, and kids go crazy for them. I always use sour dough because it’s dense enough to contain the pizza sauce.

Ingredients

4 slices sour dough bread
½ cup pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella
Sliced American cheese
Pepperoni pieces
Cut up vegetables like green peppers, yellow peppers, tomatoes
Butter

Directions

Heat up your panini press.

Add a tablespoon of pizza sauce to each piece of bread.

Add one cheese slice, then layer some pepperoni pieces and veggies. Add another cheese slice, then top with bread.

Butter the piece of bread all the way to the edges, then carefully turn your sandwich over and butter it again on the other side.

Place in the panini press and grill for 3 or 4 minutes. Your pizza grilled cheese should be golden brown and have sauce dripping from the sides.

Those are just three grilled cheese recipes you can try, but honestly, you can make grilled cheese out of almost anything you’ve got in your kitchen.

I love just piling on the cheese, adding in veggies, and trying out new breads, and because it’s such a versatile sandwich, you can make a different grilled cheese every week.

Take a look at all of the small appliances you can use to make grilled cheese, and enjoy your Easter weekend!