10 Grilled Cheese Hacks for the Best Sandwich Ever

There's no shame in getting emotional over food, especially when that food is grilled cheese, a.k.a. the most perfect sandwich in existence. And with the right tips and tricks to make your grilled cheese even more out-of-this-world amazing, you're bound to have a seriously intense experience. That's why we've compiled the best grilled cheese hacks to take your cheesy sandwich game to the next level.

While you can easily make your grilled cheese feel more gourmet with a few fancy flavor combinations, achieving cheesy goodness doesn't have to be complicated. By simply switching up your grilling technique, adding in a new ingredient, or mixing up your cheese selection (say goodbye to those pre-packaged singles), you can transform your grilled cheese from a fond, childhood meal to one ultra sophisticated, ridiculously delicious dish.

Look. We basically love our grilled cheese sandwiches more than we love our significant others, so we want to ensure that we are preparing it for maximum satisfaction. It's not difficult to make a grilled cheese sandwich in the first place, so by just trying out these 10 hacks, you're bound to get some life-changing results with a little effort. Now get grilling. Seriously — these tips are game changers.

1. MAKE IT IN A PANINI PRESS

Making your grilled cheese on the stovetop may be the traditional approach, but a panini press perfectly melts cheese and toasts bread without any extra butter or oil. Not to mention, the lines that a press leaves make your sandwich look extra gourmet.

2. DRIZZLE ON SOME TRUFFLE OIL

Pouring the smallest amount of truffle oil onto your grilled cheese instantly makes it a five star meal. You only need a little bit of this luxury ingredient for amazing results.

3. SWAP OUT BUTTER FOR MAYONNAISE

Mayo doesn't just belong in egg salad and on dry sandwiches. By coating the outside (and inside if you like) of your bread with mayonnaise before cooking, your grilled cheese will come out perfectly browned and delightfully tangy.

4. ADD SOME FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

The grilled cheese is a simple sandwich at its core, but don't be afraid of adding fresh fruit like apples, pears, and avocados, or savory vegetables like broccoli and spinach, to mix things up.

5. SHRED THE CHEESE

If the cheese you use on your sandwich comes in a block, slicing and placing it on the bread simply won't do. For guaranteed melting, shred the cheese before grilling.

6. ADD SOME FRICO

Cheese is supposed to be on the inside of a grilled cheese, right? Think again. Frico are delicate, crispy disks of melted cheese that are made traditionally with parmesan, but can also be made of other hard cheeses like cheddar. Simply grease a skillet, sprinkle on some shredded cheese, and place your buttered grilled cheese sandwich on top of the shredded cheese. As your sandwich grills, the cheese in the skillet will get crispy and attach to the outside of the sandwich. Repeat with the other side of the sandwich.

7. MIX UP YOUR CHEESES

Though there may be a simplistic beauty to a Kraft single, feel free to experiment with different cheese types and textures. Mozzarella makes a classic Italian sandwich, while Brie adds a more decadent taste. Mix and match your favorites, like Gruyère, Gouda, and more.

8. MAKE IT SWEET

Cheese may be on the savory side of the spectrum, but don't underestimate the difference a schmear of Nutella, a drizzle of honey, or a pinch of chopped chocolate can do.

9. TOAST BOTH SIDES OF THE BREAD

Before grilling your sandwich, toast the inside of the bread to make for an even crispier texture.

10. MAKE IT A MAC AND CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE

If a perfect sandwich exists, this may just be it.

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