The Best Cheese for Your Grilled Cheese
Updated: Nov. 19, 2022
Here's why you should use provolone, Muenster, Colby, Monterey Jack...or even blue cheese!
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.
The Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich
Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese, Bacon and Oven-Dried Tomato Sandwich
Take 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 of Home Food Stylist
Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
If you’re looking for a gourmet grilled cheese recipe, your search is over. With five kinds of cheese and fresh blackberries, this sandwich is impressive enough to serve to guests.—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese and Pickled Onion Sandwich
If 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 of Home Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese and Mushroom Sandwich
Give 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 of Home Food Stylist
Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwich
Who doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich recipe? This super decadent version comes fully loaded with pepperoni and five types of cheese!—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Grilled Bacon-Tomato Sandwiches
My family loves these sandwiches and they are very easy to prepare. Fresh basil, tangy Italian dressing and melted cheese meld perfectly together in this simple sandwich. —Betty Snoddy, Franklin, Missouri
Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
This 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
Basil-Tomato Grilled Cheese
The 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
Green Chile Grilled Cheese Melt
My daughter created a masterpiece with her ultimate grilled cheese and chiles. Want more heat? Use a 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos instead of chiles. —Julia Huntington, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Dilly Turkey Melt
This is a hearty grilled sandwich with a distinctive and delicious combination of ingredients. The pickle slices add a bit of fun, and the barbecue sauce provides a hint of sweetness that's irresistible. —Henry Mujica, North Riverside, Illinois
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they're really fast to whip up, too. Here's how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, IllinoisGreen Chile Grilled Cheese Melt
My daughter created a masterpiece with her ultimate grilled cheese and chiles. Want more heat? Use a 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos instead of chiles. —Julia Huntington, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Avocado Sandwiches
Try my avocado sandwich for an exciting flavor twist on grilled cheese. The avocados make them extra creamy. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Chicken & Apple Waffle Sandwiches
Have breakfast for dinner! These fun, hearty and convenient waffle sandwiches make a delicious meal in no time. —Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Bacon & Cheese Sandwiches
This bacon sandwich with Dijon mustard and two kinds of cheese is the perfect combo of creamy-melty filling and crispy, buttery bread. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
You can also use your imagination to come up with other grilled cheese sandwich ideas, such as chives, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or Italian seasoning, and even a spoonful of salsa. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Toasted Reubens
New Yorkers say my Reubens taste like those served in the famous delis there. For a little less kick, you can leave out the horseradish. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Ham and Brie Melts
Melty cheese, ham and apricot preserves offer a special change of pace from the classic grilled cheese. These quick, crispy sandwiches remind me of baked brie. —Bonnie Bahler, Ellington, Connecticut
Grilled Goat Cheese & Arugula Sandwiches
To create a more “grown-up” grilled cheese sandwich, I threw in tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula. I enjoy a similar combination on pizza, and it worked here, too! —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake
This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio
Portobello-Gouda Grilled Sandwiches
Take a simple grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with the earthy, rustic flavors of portobello mushrooms and gouda cheese. —Sheryl Bergman, Shady Side, Maryland
Pizza Sandwiches
I give grilled cheese a special treatment by using slices of mozzarella cheese and adding delicious extras like pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. Dipped in warm pizza sauce, this will be a fast favorite! —Mary Monaco, Columbus, Ohio
Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
I made up this recipe for the 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
Sourdough Turkey Melts
When days feel rushed, these sandwiches with turkey and green chiles are one of my favorite standbys. They stack up in about 10 minutes, honestly. —Leah Carter, San Pedro, California
Grilled Cheese & Pepper Sandwiches
This is a tasty and wholesome sandwich to make for one or two. It’s a nice twist on a grilled cheese, very tasty and filling and especially good with rye bread. —Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana
Mediterranean Turkey Panini
Panini are sandwiches that are pressed and toasted. I love making different panini recipes for my fellow teachers and friends. For potlucks, make several and cut them into fourths. The turkey panini sandwiches work well as an appetizer for any occasion. —Martha Muellenberg, Vermillion, South Dakota
Grilled Prosciutto-Cheddar Sandwiches with Onion Jam
April is National Grilled Cheese Month, honoring the gooey greatness of toasted bread and melted cheese. The modern version may have started in the 1920s, when sliced bread and American cheese became available. For a modern version full of comfy farmhouse flavors, use raisin bread with onion jam, prosciutto and cheddar. —Susan Andrichuk, New York, New York
Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese
Old-school grilled cheese has its place, but my version stacks spinach, apple and Brie on pumpernickel. For a more compact sandwich, press a heavy pan on it while toasting. —George Wilkins, Mays Landing, New Jersey
Mushroom & Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
We took grilled cheese up a notch with baby portobello mushrooms, bacon and cheddar. For weeknight comfort food, it’s good to the last crumb. Readers of my blog, theseasonedmom.com, love these! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Grilled Beef & Blue Cheese Sandwiches
Roast beef, red onion and blue cheese really amp up this deluxe grilled sandwich. If you like a little heat, mix some horseradish into the spread. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches
These Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Chicken & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese
My grilled cheese sandwich combines chicken with sweet caramelized onions, red peppers, Swiss cheese and sourdough bread. It’s oh-my goodness. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
