The Perfect Pairings For Grilled Cheese: Exploring Delicious Combinations

Grilled cheese is a classic comfort food, and there are endless possibilities for delicious side dishes and condiments to serve with it. The traditional pairing is a cup of tomato soup, but there are many other options to explore.

For a healthier option, you could serve grilled cheese with a crisp green salad, such as a Caesar salad or a spinach salad. Or, for something more substantial, you could try a potato or pasta salad.

If you're after something crispy, French fries or sweet potato fries are a great choice, and they can be dipped in ketchup or mayo. You could also try onion rings, tater tots, or even air fryer tortilla chips.

For a refreshing crunch, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, or carrots are a good option, and you could serve them with a dip like hummus or cashew queso.

Other dips that go well with grilled cheese include pizza sauce, barbecue sauce, and tomato jam. And, of course, there are the classic condiments like ketchup and mustard.

For something more exotic, you could try fried pickles, kimchi, or even apple slices with chocolate hummus.

And if you're looking for a sweet treat to round off your meal, chocolate chip cookies or apple nachos are always a hit.

So, whether you're keeping it classic with tomato soup or getting creative with your sides, there's something for everyone to enjoy with grilled cheese.

Tomato soup

There's nothing more classic than a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. This iconic duo is the perfect comfort food and has been a favourite since the Post-World War II era. Here are some tips to elevate your tomato soup and grilled cheese pairing:

Preparation

The key to a great tomato soup is using fresh ingredients. Instead of using canned tomato soup, try making your own with fresh heirloom tomatoes, cream, chicken broth, and onions. This soup is easy to make, delicious, and nutritious.

Presentation

For a fun presentation, try serving your grilled cheese sandwich on the side or cut into strips, ready for dipping into the soup. This way, you get a bite of the crunchy sandwich with the warm, refreshing soup in one go.

Customisation

Feel free to customise your soup to suit your taste preferences. You can add spices or herbs to give it a kick, or blend in other roasted vegetables for a heartier soup. You can also experiment with different types of tomatoes, such as vine-ripened summer tomatoes, to add a unique flavour.

Alternatives

While the classic pairing is tomato soup, you can also experiment with other soup varieties. Try a creamy tomato bisque or a chilled heirloom tomato gazpacho for a refreshing change. For a more savoury option, a roasted fennel and white bean tomato soup is a great vegan choice that still pairs perfectly with the grilled cheese.

Add-ons

To take your grilled cheese and tomato soup to the next level, add some sides and dips. A light and refreshing dish, such as a simple green salad, can complement the richness of the soup and sandwich. You can also offer a variety of dips, such as spicy tomato jam, bacon aioli, or salsa, to add some extra flavour to your grilled cheese.

So, there you have it! The classic grilled cheese and tomato soup pairing is a match made in heaven, and with these tips, you can elevate this simple dish into something extraordinary.

Salads

When it comes to choosing a salad to pair with grilled cheese, the options are endless. You can easily customise your salad to suit your taste preferences and what's available to you. Start by choosing your base: perhaps some leafy greens such as rocket, or a mix of different vegetables like courgette, cucumber and carrots. Then, add in some fruit—grapes, apples, pears, and peaches are all great options. You could also include some protein, nuts, or cheese, like tangy goat's cheese or blue cheese.

To make your salad even more refreshing, opt for a vinegar-based dressing. Balsamic, dijon vinaigrette, ranch, and caesar dressings are all excellent choices that will complement the flavours of your grilled cheese.

If you're looking for a heartier salad, you could try a potato salad or a pasta salad. These options will add some extra substance to your meal, making it more filling and satisfying.

So, the next time you're enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich, don't forget to pair it with a delicious, refreshing salad on the side!

Marinara sauce

Grilled Cheese with Marinara Sauce

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, but sometimes it's fun to change things up a bit. Adding marinara sauce is a great way to do that! Here are some tips and tricks for making delicious grilled cheese sandwiches with marinara sauce:

Choosing the Right Bread

For grilled cheese with marinara sauce, it's best to choose a bread that can stand up to the sauce without getting soggy. Rustic loaves such as ciabatta, Italian, sourdough, or multi-grain work well. You can also use white bread or Pullman bread if you prefer a softer texture.

The Perfect Cheese

When it comes to cheese, mozzarella is the classic choice for grilled cheese with marinara sauce. You can use either fresh mozzarella or low-moisture shredded mozzarella, depending on your preference. For extra flavour, you can also add Parmesan cheese, which pairs well with the mozzarella and gives the sandwich a nice salty kick. If you want to get creative, you can experiment with other cheese combinations such as gouda, asiago, pepper jack, or cheddar.

Dipping Sauce

The key to this sandwich is, of course, the marinara sauce. You can use any type of marinara sauce you like, whether it's store-bought or homemade. Heat up the sauce and serve it on the side for dipping. To enhance the flavour of the sauce, you can add some dried oregano and basil. If you want to get really creative, you can even add some red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.

Extra Toppings

While the cheese and marinara sauce are the stars of this sandwich, you can also add some extra toppings to take it to the next level. Sliced tomatoes and pepperoni are a great choice, giving it a true pizza-like feel. You can also add some fresh herbs like basil to brighten up the flavours. If you want to add some extra crunch, try toasting the bread with garlic butter before assembling the sandwich.

Cooking Tips

When cooking your grilled cheese, it's important to cook it over medium heat to ensure that the cheese melts properly without burning the bread. You can cook it in a skillet, under the broiler, or even in an air fryer if you want to get fancy. Just be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn!

Serving Suggestions

Grilled cheese with marinara sauce is a delicious and indulgent treat on its own, but if you want to make it a complete meal, there are some great side options. A light vegetable soup or a crisp salad can help balance out the richness of the sandwich. Of course, you can't go wrong with some good old-fashioned French fries or tater tots on the side. For a true comfort food experience, serve your grilled cheese with a bowl of hot tomato soup for dipping.

Ketchup and mustard

Ketchup on grilled cheese is a common practice in Canada, and some people even prefer it to the classic combination of grilled cheese and tomato soup. If you want to add a little extra kick to your grilled cheese, you can try adding a few dashes of Tabasco sauce or sriracha to your ketchup.

When it comes to mustard, a good-quality variety can enhance the flavour of your grilled cheese. Whether you prefer a smooth and creamy mustard or a spicy, grainy variety, spreading a layer of mustard on your bread before grilling can add a tangy and savoury note to your sandwich.

For those who enjoy a more indulgent grilled cheese experience, spreading a generous amount of butter on the outside of the bread and grilling it to a golden brown crispiness is a must. This not only adds flavour but also creates a delicious textural contrast to the melted cheese.

Whether you're a purist who enjoys grilled cheese in its simplest form or someone who likes to experiment with different flavours and textures, adding ketchup and mustard can be a great way to elevate this classic comfort food.

Sweet potato fries

To make sweet potato fries, you will need the following ingredients:

• Medium or large sweet potatoes (2-4, depending on the recipe)
• Oil (canola or olive)
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Butter (optional)
• Chives (optional)

First, preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat. If using a grill, oil the grates. Meanwhile, wash and peel your sweet potatoes, then cut them into 1/4-inch thick sticks or wedges. Place the sweet potato fries in a large bowl and toss them with the oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. You can also add other spices like cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and ground cloves for extra flavour.

Next, place the sweet potato fries on the preheated grill or in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven. Cook until they are heated through and caramelized, which should take approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side on the grill, or about 30 minutes in the oven.

Serve the sweet potato fries immediately with your grilled cheese. If desired, you can also serve them with a variety of toppings, such as butter, chives, sour cream, or even brown sugar and cinnamon for a sweet option.

Frequently asked questions