Cheese And Sandwich: Perfect Pairing For A Quick Bite

There are endless ways to make a cheese sandwich, from the type of cheese to the bread and fillings. While cheddar is the classic option, other popular cheeses include Red Leicester, mozzarella, and cream cheese. For something more adventurous, try blue cheese, peanut butter and jelly, or Nutella, pear, fig, and brie.

The perfect cheese sandwich should be sliced thinly and served on soft, white, fresh bread. It should be liberally buttered and served with crisps, and perhaps a side of tomato soup.

Cheddar, Red Leicester, or another hard British cheese

For a plain cheese sandwich, thick slices of soft white sandwich bread are the traditional choice. The bread should be buttered generously, and the cheese should be shaved with a vegetable or potato peeler to prevent it from falling out. Crisps are also a popular addition to a plain cheese sandwich.

If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, sliced Cheddar is a wonderfully crowd-pleasing choice of cheese. You can use sharp Cheddar, mild Cheddar, or a blend of both. Another classic choice is plain sliced American cheese, which gives you a gorgeous cheese pull. Other options include Gruyere, Brie, Fontina, Gouda, Pepper Jack, and Havarti.

For the bread, plain white sandwich bread is the classic choice, but you could also use sourdough, brioche, or even ciabatta. Just make sure the loaf is sturdy enough to handle the heat.

Grilled cheese sandwiches go well with tomato-based soups and stews, such as fresh tomato soup, easy homemade chilli, or Italian sausage soup with tortellini.

Crisps

For the best crisps sandwich, it is recommended to use a soft white bread, such as Warburtons toastie loaf, and to avoid sourdough or wholemeal bread. The bread should be medium-sliced—too thick and the crisps will get lost, too thin and you'll be mostly eating crisps. The bread should also be buttered generously.

When it comes to the crisps, the best options are Walkers, Lay's, or Tayto. The best flavours for a crisps sandwich are cheese and onion, salt and vinegar, or smoky bacon. It is also recommended to avoid thick-cut crisps, such as Kettle Crisps or McCoys, as they can be too crunchy.

If you're adding cheese to your crisps sandwich, it is best to use a thin slice of cheddar. Other popular additions to crisps sandwiches include ham and mayonnaise.

Butter

One recipe suggests using a stick of butter to grease a hot pan, before rubbing the butter on the bottom slice of bread and placing it butter-side-down in the pan. The cheese is then added, and another slice of bread is placed on top, buttered, and flipped. This method ensures that both sides of the sandwich are golden-brown, and the butter also helps the cheese to melt.

Another recipe suggests shaving the butter with a vegetable/potato peeler to achieve a layered texture inside the sandwich. This recipe also recommends using salted butter, and thick slices of soft white sandwich bread to make a classic British cheese sandwich.

While butter is a popular choice, some people prefer to coat the outside of their grilled cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise, as it is spreadable straight from the fridge and gives the sandwich a tangy flavour.

Salads

Feta

Feta is a popular choice for salads, and for good reason. This salty, tangy cheese is a staple in Greek salads, and its crumbly texture makes it perfect for sprinkling over greens. Feta is typically made from sheep's milk in the Middle East and eastern Europe, and its sharp flavour pairs well with the sweetness of roasted beets. For a refreshing option, try a salad with feta, prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, and a balsamic glaze.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola, adds a sharp and tangy flavour to salads. Its creamy yet crumbly texture creates an irresistible contrast to the saltiness of the cheese. Try a blue cheese salad with arugula, thinly sliced prosciutto, caramelized onions, and crumbled blue cheese.

Parmesan

Parmesan is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many salad ingredients. It has a sharp, nutty flavour and a hard, salty texture. Try pairing it with fresh fruits like berries or green apple slices, or with veggies such as arugula and cherry tomatoes. Parmesan is also delicious in a Caesar salad or shredded over a simple chop salad.

Cheddar

While cheddar may not be the first cheese that comes to mind for salads, it is a popular choice in the Midwest. It adds a sharp, tangy flavour to macaroni salads and English pea salads.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is a surprising but tasty addition to salads. It has a nutty flavour similar to hard Italian cheeses. Swiss cheese is a key ingredient in the unique Swiss Wurstsalat (sausage salad).

Grilled Cheese

For a heartier option, try a grilled cheese salad. Toast or grill slices of bread, spread with a layer of pickle, and top with grated cheese. Grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then cut into bite-sized pieces and serve on a bed of greens with a simple vinaigrette.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a highly aromatic and flavourful option. Its tangy and creamy flavour pairs well with prosciutto in sandwiches, and it can also be a great addition to salads. Just be careful not to overwhelm the other ingredients with its strong flavour.

Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Gouda

These cheeses are all great options for a simple salad sandwich. Combine them with fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, carrots, beetroot, peppers, spinach, avocado, and radishes. Add your favourite dressing and some fresh herbs, and you've got a delicious and easy lunch.

Soups

There are many different types of cheese that go well with sandwiches in soups. Here are some ideas for delicious and comforting combinations:

Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

This classic pairing is a favourite for a reason. The key to taking it to the next level is in the preparation of the tomato soup and the choice of cheese for the grilled cheese sandwich.

For the soup, roasting the tomatoes with aromatics like garlic and basil before blending adds serious flavour. A pinch of chilli flakes will also add a nice kick. As for the sandwich, a combination of mozzarella and mature cheddar will give you that perfect melt, and don't forget to butter the bread generously!

French Onion Soup with French Onion Grilled Cheese

This luxurious grilled cheese captures the essence of French onion soup in sandwich form. The key ingredient is the caramelized onion, which you can prepare in advance. Add some Swiss cheese and you're good to go!

Pumpkin Tomato Soup with Grilled Swiss Cheese Sticks

This autumnal twist on the classic tomato soup is extra creamy thanks to the addition of pumpkin puree, heavy cream, and sharp parmesan. It pairs perfectly with grilled Swiss cheese sticks, which are also ready in under 30 minutes, making this a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Leek and Potato Soup with Chicken Salad Sandwich

This savoury leek and potato soup can be left chunky or blended smooth, but the real star is the crunchy garnish made from fried leek greens. Pair it with a chicken salad sandwich, and you've got a match made in heaven.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Gourmet Grilled Cheese

This roasted red pepper soup has a smoky, slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. Try a combination of thick sourdough, bacon, date jam, and blue cheese for a real treat.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Grilled Cheese

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup is a classic, comforting option that will keep you warm and satisfied. It's an excellent choice to pair with a simple grilled cheese sandwich, which you can elevate by using a hearty bread and shredding your favourite cheddar for the perfect melt.

Frequently asked questions