Here's why you should use provolone, Muenster, Colby, Monterey Jack...or even blue cheese!
The Best Cheese for Your Grilled Cheese
Updated on Nov. 19, 2022
As any connoisseur of grilled cheese sandwiches knows, cheddar isn’t the only game in town. You want a cheese that features a sharp, intense flavor and–most importantly–melts with ease. Read on to discover five cheeses that are perfect for grilling between two slices of bread.
1. Colby
This cheese could double as a stand-in—visually, at least—for cheddar, considered the best cheese for grilled cheese. It’s a similar yellow-gold hue, and also a cow’s-milk cheese. Invented in the Wisconsin town of Colby in 1885, Colby is often blended with Monterey Jack and Swiss in a grilled cheese sandwich, like this Sourdough Turkey Melt. (It’s a super-quick sandwich, using deli turkey and shredded cheese.)
2. Provolone
For an Italian spin on your grilled cheese sandwich, Provolone does the trick! Melt Provolone along with fresh basil leaves and tomato slices for a hot-and-crispy twist on a Caprese sandwich. Provolone also works well with prosciutto and hard salami in this delicious recipe for a Grilled Cheese & Prosciutto sandwich.
3. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese can taste tangy on its own but when you melt it with another ingredient–wow! Fresh or dried figs (as well as fresh or dried peaches) melted with blue cheese between two slices of bread is divine, and caters to sweet-tooths everywhere. Another tasty concoction? This Grilled Beef & Blue Sandwiches Recipe, which adds thinly sliced red onion as well as cream cheese.
4. Muenster
One of the most divisive cheeses out there, Muenster is also an ideal semi-soft cheese for grilling in a sandwich. A riff on French Munster cheese, annatto is rubbed into the rind for additional flavor as well as its characteristic orange hue. This kid-friendly recipe for Cinnamon-Apple Grilled Cheese adds peeled apple, chopped walnuts, honey, cream cheese and cinnamon to Muenster. Sounds perfect for lunch!
5. Monterey Jack
Looking for an alternative to quesadillas that’s just as tasty? By adding chopped peppers and onions (including jalapeno for some heat) to shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and grilling between slices of rye bread with caraway seeds, this Grilled Cheese and Pepper Sandwich recipe is an easy fix.
Ready to up your game with grilled cheese? Have fun playing around with these cheeses and if you’re still looking for inspiration, check out this collection of gooey grilled-cheese sandwich recipes.
Our Most Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Ever
The Best Ever Grilled Cheese SandwichSpreading a mixture of mayo and butter on the bread creates a delightfully crispy crust with the well-loved, wonderful flavor of butter one expects on a grilled cheese sandwich.—Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Air-Fryer Grilled CheeseOur air-fryer grilled cheese has a perfectly crisped outside and a melty, gooey inside thanks to the air fryer’s efficient air circulation.
Grilled Cheese, Ham and Apple SandwichIn this stepped-up version of a ham and cheese sandwich, melty cheeses, crispy apples and smoky ham are the ultimate combination. —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Cuban SandwichThis Cuban sandwich isn't your typical sub sandwich. With two kinds of pork, melted Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between two toasty pieces of bread, the picture-perfect Cubano will have you wanting more.
Fig, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese PaniniA taste of this sandwich whisks you to the Italian countryside. It combines sweet honey, dried figs, tangy goat cheese, nutty Asiago and salty prosciutto. We often pack it in our picnic basket for summer or fall outings. —Maria Brennan, Middlebury, Connecticut
Grilled Cheese, Bacon and Oven-Dried Tomato SandwichTake your grilled cheese sandwich to a place it's never been before with crispy bacon and tangy tomatoes and five—yes, five!—types of cheese. —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese and Mushroom SandwichGive your favorite grilled cheese sandwich a boost with the addition of earthy portobello mushrooms. This savory recipe takes this portobello mushroom sandwich into gourmet territory. —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese and Pickled Onion SandwichIf you’re looking to add a little bite to your classic grilled cheese recipe, look no further than pickled onions. We love sandwiching a few inside this sandwich for a touch of acidity and some foodie flair. —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Bacon Grilled Cheese SandwichBacon lovers, this one’s for you! Overflowing with cheese and crispy bacon, this grilled cheese recipe is so hearty, you won’t even need a side of tomato soup. —Josh Rink, Taste Recipes Food Stylist
Avocado Grilled CheeseWho doesn't love a crunchy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich? This avocado grilled cheese version kicks it up several notches with avocado, five different cheeses and a secret for extra-crispy bread.
Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese SandwichGrilled cheese is a classic quick and easy meal. I love experimenting with different combinations. This is one of my favorites. —jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
Green Chile Grilled Cheese MeltMy daughter created a masterpiece with her ultimate grilled cheese and chiles sandwich. Want more heat? Use a 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos instead of the mild green chiles. —Julia Huntington, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Pesto Grilled CheeseI made up this recipe for students in the foods and nutrition class I teach. The kids like it so much, they often go home and fix it for their families. —Beth Hiott, York, South Carolina
Bacon Grilled CheeseLevel up your grilled cheese with this bacon grilled cheese sandwich. Featuring mustard, mayo, tomato, onion and two cheeses, this sandwich is anything but boring. Serve it with tomato soup and salad for a complete meal.
Bistro Apple PaniniMy family loves panini press recipes. The bacon, apple and tarragon in this recipe go together so well. If you don’t have a panini maker or an indoor grill, you can easily pan-fry or broil these excellent sandwiches.—Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Athenian Chicken Grilled Cheese SandwichesMozzarella and feta cheese make one delicious duo in this upscale grilled cheese that also features tender Athenian chicken and fresh herb flavor. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California
Chicken PaniniThis melty, decadent and easy-to-make chicken panini is perfect for a quick lunch or a casual weekend treat.
Basil-Tomato Grilled CheeseThe tastes of summer abound in this easy Italian-style grilled cheese sandwich. Not only is it delicious, it's super-fast, so you can get back to those summer outdoor activities. —Sylvia Schmitt, Sun City, Arizona
Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon JamThis sandwich doubles up on melty cheese, but the star of the show is the sweet and salty date-bacon jam. It makes for a truly grown-up version of grilled cheese. —Kathy Cooper, Tucson, Arizona
Pulled Pork Grilled CheeseMy family combined two of our favorite things: pulled pork and grilled cheese sandwiches. This recipe is super fast and easy when you use store-bought pulled pork. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Apple-White Cheddar Grilled CheeseOn rainy days when we need comfort food in a hurry, I toast sandwiches of cinnamon-raisin bread with white cheddar, apple and red onion. They also are totally tasty made with vegan cheese and olive oil instead of butter! —Kathy Patalsky, New York, New York
Grilled Cheese Bun BurgersMy husband loves both my grilled cheese and my iron-skillet burgers, so I decided to combine them in this grilled cheese bun burger. He said it was the best meal he ever ate. —Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama
Grilled Cheese Ideas FAQ
What is the secret to a good grilled cheese sandwich?
In my opinion, the secret to a good grilled cheese sandwich is crisp, toasty bread. I butter one side of two slices of bread, assemble my sandwich, and then griddle over medium-low heat until golden. The flip is tricky to execute, but a good spatula works wonders. Some people swear by using mayo to make grilled cheese instead of butter for a richer flavor.
How do I upgrade my classic grilled cheese?
For a quick upgrade to American cheese on white bread, add in a slice or two of ripe tomato. For a more ambitious upgrade, test out sandwiches with unexpected types of cheeses.
What is grilled cheese best paired with?
To complete the meal, I like to pair grilled cheese with tomato soup or a simple side salad. There's nothing better for a simple night in.
