These delicious epic grilled cheese sandwiches are brought to you in partnership with Land O’Lakes, Inc. Thank you for supporting the companies that encourage my creativity.
If grilled cheese is a favorite staple at your house, you are going to love today’s EPIC post with 5 grilled cheese sandwich ideas!
With back-to-school approaching, it’s imperative to have recipes on hand that utilizes leftovers because we all know that mid-week our schedules become hectic and it’s easier to order take-out than it is to think of another meal. But not today, because these five sandwich ideas put leftovers to use!
Not only are grilled cheese sandwiches delicious, but they are also an incredibly practical way to put your leftovers to good use. Wait, what? You never thought about that? Oh boy, let’s get acquainted for a minute and let me just say that I am the queen of repurposing leftovers and revamping them into something else.
I mean, who doesn’t love gooey, melty, cheesy goodness with a crispy buttery crust? Check out this incredible video on how these delicious sandwiches come together. In full disclosure, I have my own moment with the sandwich at the end, please don’t think I’m weird. 😉
Grilled cheese is a favorite at my house because it is the ultimate comfort food and perfect for packed lunches. I find that with leftovers, I can whip up fun grilled cheeses like the Hawaiian style, Philly Cheesesteak, Taco Style, Perfect Tuna Melt, and my famous Grilled Granny.
I am one of those people that butters both sides of the bread and likes to use a mild flavored product like Land O Lakes® Deli American, which melts perfectly between the ingredients inside the sandwich, to let the flavors shine through.
The Grilled Hawaiian is a sweet and salty combination that is hard to beat. You can use fresh or canned pineapple but make sure to place your Deli American slices on both sides of the bread so the juices the pineapple releases when grilling do not make the bread soggy. Plus this way, when you place Deli American on both sides of the bread, it creates the perfect melty, gooey, hug for your ingredients.
The Philly Cheesesteak has become my husband’s favorite, and it only takes a couple of minutes to make. I usually make this sandwich from leftover steak from fajita night. My shortcut is to use frozen onions and pepper mix or leftover fajita veggies. Heat, sandwich, and grill are the only steps needed for this mouthwatering sandwich.
Now, onto the taco grilled cheese. This sandwich is my personal favorite because one can only have so many taco salads with Taco Tuesday leftovers. The melty Deli American really combines everything that traditionally goes inside a taco within a golden crispy crust -and I promise, I am still a crunchy taco purist, but with this sandwich, you do not even miss the shell!
Ultimate grilled cheese number four is the perfect Tuna melt. I had never heard of tuna melts until I met my husband; who, in his bachelor years, would make a large bowl of tuna salad for days. He said that after a couple of days he would grow tired of eating it with crackers so the last bit left would turn into a delicious tuna melt. Once I tried it, I could not believe how gratifying it was to bite into a melty bundle of goodness. I was smitten at first bite.
Grilled cheese number five is my grilled Granny. The thinly sliced apples come to the rescue on days where you feel you have nothing left to pack and yet create the perfect balance of smooth texture of the melted Deli American with the crispness of the green apples.
Wait until you taste these grilled sandwiches. Man, oh man – they are epic. They’re all quick, easy to make, and will melt your heart ;).
Of course, all of these can be packed inside a lunchbox. All you have to do to retain the crispy texture is wait until the sandwich has cooled down to room temperature.
I promise you that all the cheesy flavor you love from Land O Lakes® Deli American inside a grilled cheese will be there! Once it’s cool to the touch, you can place it in a lunchbox with your favorite sides and close the lid. If you see condensation, you need to wait a little longer.
You can find Land O Lakes® White and Yellow Deli American at the deli counter of the grocery store near you.
How would you build an epic grilled cheese sandwich?
PrintHawaiian Grilled Cheese
- Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Italian or rustic bread
- Land O Lakes® Salted Whipped Butter, for grilling
- 2 thick slices Land O Lakes® Deli American
- 2–3 round ⅓” slices pineapple, fresh or canned
- 3–4 slices Canadian bacon or honey ham
Instructions
- Butter one side of each bread slice and flip over. Gently place a slice of Land O Lakes® Deli American on each slice of bread. Top one slice with pineapple slices, top with Canadian bacon, and close sandwich, making sure the cheese is against the bread on both sides.
- On a griddle or pan over medium-high heat, begin to grill sandwich for about 2-3 minutes until it’s golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip sandwich over and grill on the other side for an additional minute or two until it’s golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, or, to pack inside a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool down to room temperature prior to slicing in half and packing inside the lunchbox.
Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese
Hawaiian Grilled Cheese Author: Laura Fuentes Serves: 1 Sandwich
- Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Italian or rustic bread
- Land O Lakes® Salted Whipped Butter, for grilling
- 1–2 tablespoons finely diced onions and pepper mix, thawed
- 2 thick slices Land O Lakes® Deli American
- 2–3 ounces leftover grilled steak
Instructions
- Butter one side of each bread slice and set aside.
- Add a tablespoon of butter onto the griddle over medium high heat and then add the onions and pepper mix finely diced. Cook, for 3-4 minutes until onions have softened. Add steak slices leftover onto the griddle.
- At the same time, place the bread slices butter side down and grill, until golden brown.
- Once bread is ready, spread the onions and beef mixture on the griddle and top with cheese slices. Once cheese is melted, transfer on top of bread slice, and close sandwich.
- Serve immediately, or, to pack inside a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool down to room temperature prior to slicing in half and packing inside the lunchbox.
Taco Grilled Cheese
- Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Italian or rustic bread
- Land O Lakes® Salted Whipped Butter, for grilling
- 2 thick slices Land O Lakes® Deli American
- 3 tablespoons cooked leftover taco-seasoned beef
- 1 heaping tablespoon fresh salsa
- ¼ avocado, sliced
- 1 tablespoon black olives
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
- Optional: chopped jalapeños
Instructions
- Butter one side of each bread slice and flip over. Gently place a slice of Land O Lakes® Deli American on each slice of bread. Top one slice with cooked beef, salsa, avocado, olives, sour cream, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Close sandwich, making sure the cheese is against the bread on both sides.
- On a griddle or pan over medium-high heat, begin to grill sandwich for about 2-3 minutes until it’s golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip sandwich over and grill on the other side for an additional minute or two until it’s golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, or, to pack inside a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool down to room temperature prior to slicing in half and packing inside the lunchbox.
Perfect Tuna Melt
Taco Grilled Cheese Author: Laura Fuentes Serves: 1 Sandwich
- Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Italian or rustic bread
- Land O Lakes® Salted Whipped Butter, for grilling
- 2 thick slices Land O Lakes® Deli American
- 1 small can of tuna or pouch, drained
- 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- Butter one side of each bread slice and flip over. Gently place a slice of Land O Lakes® Deli American on each slice of bread and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine tuna, finely chopped onion, garlic powder, celery, and mayonnaise.
- On a griddle or pan over medium-high heat, begin to grill sandwich for about 2-3 minutes until it’s golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip sandwich over and grill on the other side for an additional minute or two until it’s golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, or, to pack inside a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool down to room temperature prior to slicing in half and packing inside the lunchbox.
Apple Grilled Cheese
Perfect Tuna Melt Author: Laura Fuentes Serves: 1 Sandwich Taco Grilled Cheese Author: Laura Fuentes Serves: 1 Sandwich
- Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick bread, such as Italian or rustic bread
- Land O Lakes® Salted Whipped Butter, for grilling
- 2 thick slices Land O Lakes® Deli American
- ½ Granny Smith apple, sliced thin
Instructions
- Butter one side of each bread slice and flip over. Gently place a slice of Land O Lakes® Deli American on each slice of bread. Top one slice with apple slices and close sandwich, making sure the cheese is against the bread on both sides.
- On a griddle or pan over medium-high heat, begin to grill sandwich for about 2-3 minutes until it’s golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip sandwich over and grill on the other side for an additional minute or two until it’s golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted.
- Serve immediately, or, to pack inside a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool down to room temperature prior to slicing in half and packing inside the lunchbox.
Sarah
These look amazing!!!
★★★★★
Lisa
I buy Land O Lakes American every week for school lunches. My family loves it. thanks for these recipes, I’m definitely going to try it!
★★★★★
Matt
I made the taco one last night. Amazing!
★★★★★