American cheese on white bread will forever remain a classic, but there’s also something to be said for changing up your grilled cheese. (See: 10 Healthy Grilled Cheese Recipes That Will Make Your Mouth Water) Mix in sophisticated ingredients, vary your cheese, and give it a hit of the unexpected (harissa! honey!) for a thoroughly upgraded flavor bomb of a meal, says food blogger Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest), the author of Half Baked Harvest Cookbook. Try one of her creative twists here-or play around to invent your own. (BTW, here’s what your love of grilled cheese means about your sex life.)
Start with the cheese. Choose one of your favorites, like:
Next, layer on fruits or veggies:
Finally, add some crunchy texture or bold flavor:
Five of Tieghan's melty mash-ups (pictured from top to bottom):
- Goat cheese + Spinach + Olives + Harissa
- Cheddar + Blueberry jam + Slivered almonds
- Burrata + Roasted red peppers + Tapenade
- Cheddar + Roasted veggies + Pesto
- Brie + Persimmons + Fried sage + Honey
