How to Make the Perfect Gourmet Grilled Cheese at Home
A grilled cheese sandwich is a great comfort food that is so easy to make anytime of year.
My gourmet grilled cheese recipe features homemade sourdough, creamy herb goat cheese, and melty Gruyère for the ultimate comfort bite. It’s definitely an elevated option instead of traditional grilled cheese.
Add my Lazy Girl’s Homemade Tomato Soup, and it turns a grilled cheese sandwich into a cozy comfort food meal that’s perfect for cooler weather.
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Why This Gourmet Grilled Cheese Stands Out
Using some unexpected ingredients make this grilled cheese sandwich just a little more special.
Homemade Sourdough Makes All the Difference
While most gourmet grilled cheeses start with a bakery loaf, this version begins with homemade sourdough — tangy, chewy, and crisped to golden perfection in the skillet. The bread alone is enough to make this sandwich special.
If you aren’t able to make your own bread, purchase a loaf from the bakery section of your grocery store. Pass on the bread that was baked elsewhere and shipped to your store.
The Secret is in the Herb Goat Cheese
The herb goat cheese adds a creamy, herby tang that balances the richness of the other cheese.
Easy Homemade Goat Cheese
While the gardens are fading fast, my herb garden is still bright and alive. I grabbed some chives, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and parsley from the garden. I added about 1-2 tablespoons to my food processor and pulsed it until the herbs were nicely chopped. Then I added a 4 oz. log of softened goat cheese. I pulsed it until it was well combined.
After I buttered our bread slices for the sandwiches with the goat cheese, I scooped the remaining cheese into a sheet of plastic wrap. First, I laid a small piece of parsley and a leaf of sage onto the wrap. The end result is a nice roll that we can pull out of the refrigerator for a snack with crackers.
A Melt of Gruyère and Cheddar for Rich Flavor
On top of the goat cheese, I added a slice of cheddar cheese and slices of Gruyère on top of that. Adding Gruyère cheese to your sandwich gives it a wonderful, complex flavor. It’s nutty, slightly sweet, and just a little salty. For me, it just adds a richness to the sandwich that elevates it.
Olive Oil and Butter = The Perfect Golden Crust
I like to put both olive oil and butter to the bottom of my fry pan. The combination give the bread a beautifully browned crust.
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pcs Sourdough bread Cut in half
- 1-2 tbsp Herb goat cheese
- 2 slices Cheddar cheese
- 4 pieces Gruyère cheese
- 4 pats butter
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
- Cut on slice of sourdough bread in half.
- Spread both side of the bread with the goat cheese, using any amount that you prefer.
- Layer one side of the bread with the slice of cheddar cheese and with the slices of Gruyère cheese. (I couldn't find Gruyère in slices, so I bought a chunk of these cheese) 4–5 slices off of a cheese chunk is about equivalent to a slice).
- Add the olive oil to a fry pan that has been warmed over medium-heat. I put the pat of butter in the pan and with a knife guide it to melt around the size of the bread slice.
- Add the sandwich and cook over medium heat around 4 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Lift the sandwich, with a spatula and melt another pat of butter and flip the other side into the pan. After about 4 minutes, the second side should be beautifully toasted and the cheese should be melted. Be sure to keep your eye on the sandwich, as you don't want it to burn. It can go from golden brown to burnt quickly.
- Repeat for each sandwich
Nutrition
Alternative Options
While I enjoy a Gruyère and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich, you can make the sandwich your own by putting the cheese you love on the sandwich.
If you are cooking for a crowd, this is a fun recipe for lunch or dinner. Allow everyone to choose their own cheeses, heat up a griddle and make gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in an assembly line fashion.
Cheese Options
- Swiss Cheese
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Havarti Cheese
- American Cheese
Spread Options
- Fig Jam
- Dijon Mustard
- Pesto
- Pimento Cheese
- Hummus
Add-Ons
- Caramelized Onions
- Tomato Slices
- Crispy Bacon
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Fresh Herbs or Spinach
What to Serve with Gourmet Grilled Cheese
To make a meal out of this sandwich, a side dish rounds it out.
Some ideas that I have are:
- Creamy Soup: Tomato Soup, Leek Soup, or Potato Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup
- Side Salads: Wedge Salad, Caesar Salad, Greens with Ranch Dressing
- Roasted Vegetables
Lazy Girl’s Homemade Tomato Soup
Last year when I with my Blogging Buddies at Michele from Vintage Home Designs for our Retreat, she made the best tomato soup, and it was store-bought that was “doctored” to make it really special. I’ve been making it ever since.
Use a tried and true soup like the Panera brand, which we can get in our local grocery store. Add about 1 cup of chicken broth to the soup along with 1/2 cup of half-and-half, or cream, to the soup. If you’d like, you can also add pinches of spices like, oregano, Italian seasoning, and/or parsley.
Cooking Tip
For even browning, cook on medium-low heat and resist the urge to press down. A slow melt equals a creamy center and that signature golden crunch.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, a grilled cheese sandwich made with love (and a little goat cheese) just tastes better.
How do you like your grilled cheese? Share it with me in the comments below!
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Enjoy,
My friend Kim from Cottage in the Mitten has a yummy recipe for fresh dill dip that she makes to use the herbs from her garden and fresh veggies.
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I love a good grilled cheese and this one looks amazing. The herb goat cheese takes to the next level! Thanks for sharing!
I love grilled cheese – especially with tomato soup! I like the goat cheese and the gruyère with cheedar – just adds another level!