Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Yesterday was National Grilled Cheese Day. If all was straight and clear in my world, this post should have been planned, written and executed at least a day or two ago. But that’s not how my life rolls..ha! Do any of you all have that kind of perfect, planned life? Where lists are made, then followed and checked off? Does not happen here!
Dr. A loves himself some grilled cheese. What is there not to love? Two slices of bread, slathered in butter, with slices of gooey cheese melted to perfection. That is where all of this grilled cheese business started for us. However, as we were “growing up” we graduated to more “gourmet” grilled cheeses. The breads changed, the quality of cheese got better, and some fillings were added. Now we have numerable different grilled cheese involving permutations and combinations of these three entities.
The grilled cheese “recipe” that I am sharing toady is one of those. The recipe is simple and comes together quickly. As I have mentioned a few times before (like in this recipe and in this), in simpler recipes, the quality of ingredients plays a very important role. So choose wisely.
I would use a heartier and somewhat crusty bread for this sandwich, unlike the more traditional white bread. The contrast between the buttered, crusty bread is a great contrast with the gooey cheese inside. Layers of spiciness come from jalapeno cream cheese, pickled jalapenos and pepperjack cheese.
Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices of whole wheat or other crusty bread I used honey oat wheat
- 1 teaspoon jalapeno cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon butter at room temperature
- 2 slices pepper jack cheese
- Pickled jalapeno slices to taste
- Red onion thinly sliced to taste
Instructions
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Set a heavy bottomed skillet or grill pan on medium high heat. While the pan is heating, lay the slices of bread on a board and spread each one lightly with butter. Flip the slices and spread each one with the jalapeno cream cheese.
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Lay the slices of pepper jack cheese over the cream cheese. You might have to tear down the cheese slices, depending on the size and shape of your bread slice. The idea is to completely cover the surface of the bread with pepper jack cheese. Lay as many slices of pickled jalapenos and red onions as you like. I try to distribute them evenly so that you get some in every bite. Cover with the other slice of pepper jack, followed by the other slice of bread, cream cheese side down.
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When the skillet is hot, lower the heat to low and cook the sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes each side, checking in between to check until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. After the first flip at 2 minute mark, I strongly recommend covering the sandwich with a dome or the pan with a lid, This helps in melting the cheese nicely. Turn the heat off and allow the sandwich to cool for a minute. Cut in half and serve warm.
national grilled cheese day or not, I hope you will give this recipe a try.
Love- Vaishali.
P.S – you should come see us at our Facebook page. We are having so much fun there. Go to the link here – The Kitchen Docs on Facebook and “like” the page..:)
Tools used:
Cast iron pan (I use this one
Knife and chopping board
Measuring spoons (Cuisinart 
Spatula (this kind
Ina Wrobel
April 14, 2018 at 9:33 pmDelicious, perfect for breakfast
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 9:38 amThanks Ina..:)
Stephanie
May 8, 2018 at 9:23 amI am a grilled cheese fanatic so this looks fantastic. Will definitely need to try it out. Can I ask which recipe plug-in you use? I don’t love the one I have! 🙂
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 9:40 amThanks Stephanie. I use the WP Recipe Maker Plugin. It’s relatively easy to use and I’m definitely on the creatively challenged side so it helps me a lot..:P
Sarah
May 8, 2018 at 9:58 amI am going to have to try this!! I LOVE grilled cheese and I love some spice! 😃 great job and cannot wait to try it! I’ll come back and rate when I try it!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 10:05 amyayyy…Thanks Sarah..:)
Veronica Mendenhall
May 8, 2018 at 11:00 amI love a good grilled cheese and this one this so yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 1:53 pmThanks a lot Veronica..:). Please let me know if you try it..:)
Lindsey
May 8, 2018 at 5:43 pmThis sounds absolutely amazing! What an awesome spin on a classic comfort food. I cannot wait to try!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 10:31 pmThanks Lindsey. I agree, though nothing beats a gooey grilled cheese on white bread, this is welcome twist..:)
Tricia
May 8, 2018 at 6:12 pmSuch a great twist on a classic! My husband loves spicy food so we’ll have to make this soon!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 10:41 pmThanks Tricia. Mine does too…:)
Rachel
May 8, 2018 at 6:35 pmPaired with a nice tomato soup or bisque and I’d be in heaven. Would have never thought to add jalapeno cream cheese, but it sounds amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 10:40 pmThanks Rachel. Yeah, jalapeno cream cheese definitely adds a layer of cheesiness and spice to this grilled cheese.
Katie
May 8, 2018 at 9:39 pmI love grilled cheese! That looks amazing. I’m going to have to try it!
Vaishali
May 8, 2018 at 10:37 pmThanks a lot Katie..:)
Meghna chakraborty
May 18, 2018 at 12:16 amHi 👋 Vaishali!
Such an amazing grilled sandwich! Looks delicious and super quick recipe too , will surely try it out 🙂
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 12:19 amThanks Meghna. Yes, we also love it in our family.
Bibi on Board
May 18, 2018 at 5:27 amThank you for the nice recipe 🙂 I love cheese and we love the spicy stuffs with my Husband! Now we have one more idea what to take to job 😉
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 9:42 amThanks Bibi on Board. I totally agree on taking this for lunch because it tastes just as good when cold.
Cassie
May 18, 2018 at 6:04 amThis sounds amazing! I know what I’m making this weekend
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 9:43 amThanks Cassie. Please let me know if you try it..:)
Anna
May 18, 2018 at 11:44 amI love spicy food, so these toasts are perfect for me:)
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 11:49 amThanks Anna. Some spice here and there never hurt anyone..:P
Bethenewyou4you
May 18, 2018 at 1:10 pmReally it’s mouth watering!
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 4:06 pmThanks a lot. I looked at the pictures just now and think that I might have to fix one fr myself too..ugh..:P
Casey
May 18, 2018 at 2:44 pmI am loving the use of jalapenos! I make a jalapeno popper grilled cheese, but I cannot wait to try this one!
Vaishali
May 18, 2018 at 4:06 pmThanks Casey. jalapeno popper grilled cheese sounds good..what do you add to make it pop/crunch?
Phoebe
May 18, 2018 at 5:03 pmSOunds so spicy..lol I think I’m ok with the pepperjack but not with onion and jalapeno but your pictures make it look appealing!
Vaishali
May 20, 2018 at 11:50 amPhoebe – I agree – this grilled cheese is layered with spicy elements. For sure skip one or two if you desire..:)
Heather
May 19, 2018 at 10:41 amI bet the combination of the cheese and spice is amazing.
Vaishali
May 20, 2018 at 11:50 amIt is Heather. We love it..:)
Elizabeth
May 21, 2018 at 6:20 amMmm what a gorgeous grilled cheese idea! i love pepper jack cheese – this sounds heavenly!
Krish
July 29, 2018 at 12:24 pmLooks yummy…worth trying..
Raychal Asuras
February 28, 2019 at 10:54 amWow this sounds & looks delicious!