10 Creative Grilled Cheese Recipes For When You Need To Eat More Than Cheese

As a cheese lover, warm, gooey, and melty grilled cheese is the kind of salty magic that I live for. That being said, cheese and bread isn’t exactly a full meal, which is why I made this little collection of creative grilled cheese recipes for you to sample. These creative grilled cheese recipes will not only add a little oomph to your grilled cheeses, but they will also add some more nutrition to your delicious comfort food meals.

1. The Barefoot Contessa’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese

This savory and creative grilled cheese recipe is pretty straightforward, while still managing to combine three kinds of cheese and yummy bacon. I especially love the splash of dijon (or honey dijon) mustard in the special sauce Ina has you making: it cuts through all the grease with a sharp tang. Since this is a Food Network recipe, it’s a little more complicated, but you don’t actually have to own a panini press to make grilled cheese. Just make sure to apply some weight while you’re heating it in a pan or on the griddle, or flip it over in the oven to evenly melt the cheese. Find the full recipe here.

2. Greek Grilled Cheese

I love a mediterranean flavor profile. The combination of melty feta, salty olives, and roasted red peppers is hard to beat due to the delicate and delicious balance of flavors. This recipe is also simple and easy, and won’t take you too long. Although grilled cheese isn’t exactly the most healthy meal, making it mediterranean will at least make it taste that way. Plus, you get to add some veggies in there, so it’s not all bad, right? Find the recipe here.

3. Honey Ham, Gouda, And Apple Quesadillas

Don’t tell me that a quesadilla isn’t a grilled cheese. You are melting cheese between two tortillas instead of two pieces of bread, but it’s kind of the same. Either way, this recipe is too good to resist! Crisp apple and chewy ham will add texture and nutrition to your cheesy meal, while the honey mustard will add a tangy sweetness. Overall, this is probably one of the most satisfying grilled cheeses/quesadillas you could make. Find the full recipe here.

4. Roasted Poblano And Mushroom Grilled Cheese

Yum, more veggies! This is another Food Network recipe, so take the directions with a grain of salt. In particular, you don’t have to fire roast your poblano pepper. You can always just cook it with the mushrooms instead to save time and effort. You won’t get the same charred flavor, but that’s okay. It’ll still be delicious. I love the influence of chile relleno in this grilled cheese, and the bite of the peppers and the mushrooms! Find the full recipe here.

5. Caprese Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Caprese is a classic combo, and this creative grilled cheese recipe adds in some chicken for a dose of protein! You can easily omit this meaty addition if you opt for vegetarian grilled cheeses, and the tomato, basil, and spices will still carry you to melted cheese heaven. However, I think the addition of chicken can classify this grilled cheese recipe as a dinner sandwich, don’t you? Find the full recipe here.

6. Grilled Eggplant Sandwich

This creative grilled cheese recipe focuses on the eggplant rather than the cheese, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any. Instead of a predictable cheese that will melt and become gooey, you’ll use goat cheese, which is tart and fresh and creamy, creamy, creamy. I personally don’t mind the difference in texture, but maybe that’s because I love goat cheese so much! This recipe is also very simple, so don’t worry about fancy techniques. Find the full recipe here.

7. Grilled Cheese With Dates And Prosciutto

This creative grilled cheese recipe is slightly sweet! Ingredients like dates and prosciutto always make me feel a little fancy, but that’s only because they don’t make regular appearances in my diet. If you’re the same way, you’ll love feeling a little bit decadent and elegant with this amazing grilled cheese recipe. Super easy, but with amazing results. Find the full recipe here.

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8. Trainwreck Grilled Cheese

I’m not really sure why this is called trainwreck grilled cheese. The combination of gouda, caramelized onions, and maple whiskey bacon sounds like a creative grilled cheese recipe that I would endorse with full steam. Let me know if you guys get it. Anyway, the recipe has you glazing your own bacon, which isn’t too difficult, but if you don’t want to do it yourself, just buy pre-honey-glazed bacon. It’s a really common ingredient.

If you don’t already know how to caramelize onions, you will be so happy that you are learning now! Caramelized onions are like bacon to a vegetarian and they make any dish a little fancier, and a lot better. Find the tricks as well as the full recipe here.

9. Waffled Tomato-Grilled Cheese

This creative grilled cheese recipe takes you away from the stove and the panini press, and straight into the waffle maker. It’s a hack, but it also creates great texture in your sandwich. Another Food Network recipe with extra steps, this grilled cheese recipe has you roasting tomatoes in the oven for an hour. Will it work? Yes. Will it be tasty? Yes. Is it necessary? No, not at all. Buy sun-dried, oven-roasted, or perfectly fresh tomatoes instead, and this sandwich will still be super yummy. Also, the waffle iron makes grilled cheese so easy and perfect, so don’t worry about screwing up. Find the full recipe here.

10. Roasted Turkey, Cranberry, And Brie Grilled Cheese

A creative grilled cheese recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers, or the perfect grilled cheese just because you happen to love this flavor combination. Even if it isn’t Thanksgiving time, you’ll love this super easy grilled cheese recipe that calls for just four ingredients, plus butter. Picking up some roasted turkey isn’t so hard, but you can always get some thick slices from the deli to sub in instead of using the breast. You certainly won’t have to worry about the turkey being dry with all the cheese and cranberry either! Find the full recipe here.