This grilled cheese is like everyone’s favorite jalapeño poppers melted between two slices of bread for the ultimate gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
It’s finally here and if you’re at all like me, you’ve been patiently waiting like a toddler patiently waits for his or her turn behind 8 other kids for a ride on the slide, or to be told to wait until after lunch for that popsicle. Tantrums, tears and frustration may or may have not all played a part in this waiting game.
But the wait is over and today we’re enjoying a different kind of meltdown. It’s National Grilled Cheese Day!
Since I first started the blog, April has heralded the arrival of one of my favorite themed months: Grilled Cheese Month. See for yourself and check out my other grilled cheese recipes here. This year I’m thrilled to be partnering with Arla to share recipes featuring their cheeses and we’re starting things off with a cheesy classic: grilled cheese sandwiches of course!
This recipe all started with “the pull”. No, not tractor pulls. Not the pull of the moon either.
We’re talking about the determining factor of every perfectly made grilled cheese. It’s “the pull” of melty, gooey cheese when two halves are divided from one.
And this recipe has what it takes to get “the pull” every time.
About the recipe
Japlapeño poppers are always a favorite appetizer (did you see my version with bacon?) so why not make them into a grilled cheese instead?
I like the way I think.
Obviously we are talking cheese here. A combination of cream cheese and a quality, ultra meltable white cheese is essential to get that cheese pull. I used a combination of Arla’s Original cream cheese with Arla’s Muenster cheese slices.
Arla’s Muenster comes pre-sliced and is conveniently (and efficiently) separated by thin sheets of paper so the slices don’t meld with each other to once again become a block of cheese. To me, this says quality from the get-go.
The muenster is made here in the good old U.S of A., in cheese-loving Wisconsin with milk from Wisconsin dairy cows. I’ve always been a fan of Wisconsin cheese and when I see the made in Wisconsin label, I know I’m getting some of the finest in its class.
Roasted jalapeños add the required heat you’ll find in a classic popper. Simply roast the peppers in the oven or place the poppers on the grill, or even simply rotate over an open flame on a gas stove until charred. Then, stash them in a gallon size plastic bag, seal and set aside to steam for at least 10-15 minutes.
The steam will help release the skin from the peppers, making it easy to pull from the roasted peppers underneath. Stem and remove the seeds and thinly slice.
The first few times I made this recipe I really loaded on the cream cheese. My thought was the more cream cheese, the better.
But what I found was that keeping better portions of cream cheese to the muenster worked far better, allowing the muenster to melt for a more pleasing, cheesy bite.
I used three slices of muenster per sandwich, placing the cheese slices directly on the bread to act like glue and hold it all together. Works like a charm every time.
The key to grilling cheese sandwiches with a golden crust is to cook them low and slow. Don’t feel the need to rush this sandwich, or in the blink of an eye you could have a burned toast on your hands.
If you feel your cheese isn’t melting in sync with the goldening of your bread, add a few drops of water to the edge of the pan and cover it with a lid. The water creates steam that will help melt the cheese. Just be sure to add the water away from the bread so it doesn’t become soggy.
I used a classic, white sandwich bread for this recipe to create a crisp crust on the outside to offset the ultra creaminess of the cheese insides.
Grilled cheese is one of the few times I totally go for an all-white bread to be used for sandwiches. And it’s totally worth it.
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Like These:
- Cheddar and Jalapeño Skillet Cornbread
- Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad
- Stuffed Jalapeños with Gorgonzola and Bacon
- Healthier Jalapeño Poppers
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats and #cheesepull.
Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 jalapeños
- 4 slices white bread
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Arla Original cream cheese spread
- 6 slices Arla Muenster cheese slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 450 degrees F. Place the peppers on a baking sheet covered with foil and bake until the skins are completely wrinkled and charred, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and place in a plastic baggie and seal. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the bag and rub the loosened skin off of the jalapeños. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds. Slice into ribbons and set aside.
- Spread the slices of bread with 1 tablespoon of butter on one side of each slice of bread, then stack the buttered sides together.
- For each sandwich, place one piece of muenster cheese on the stacked bread then spread 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese spread on top of the cheese. Sprinkle with half of the roasted jalapeño then top with 2 more slices of muenster cheese.
- Place bread buttered side down in a fry pan over medium heat and top with the other side of bread, buttered side up. Cover with a lid and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and flip the sandwich to the other side and cook for 2-3 minutes or until bread is toasty golden and cheese has melted. The second side will cook faster than the first so watch carefully.
- Cut in half and enjoy hot.
Have a great day, and I hope this recipe inspires you to get into the kitchen and make something good.
This post is part of a partnered series with Arla USA. As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.
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Amol Patel
Heidi,
Do you suggest adding little olive oil to the recipe to make it a little healthy snack?
Gina Brewer
I made this recipe twice over this past weekend. Why? Because after my husband tasted one bite of this delicious cheese toast and my homemade tomato soup on Friday, he insisted I make the same meal again on the next day :o) He even went back to the store to purchase more ingredients…
I say, it is a keeper!
Jody McKinzey
Well this sandwich, accompanied by a glass of V-8, was the single greatest lunch this summer. I can feel the obsession forming. Thanks for a great idea!
Sap workbook
I love spicy food.
Lucille J. James
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich is also my choice .
Brittny
I just made these and they’re amazing!!
Amelie Moore
This looks so yummy!! Definitely printing this out and adding it to my collection
Gabriel Lemming
WOW! This looks amazing and I most definitely have to try this.
Alex Grady
Grilled Cheese! Who can say no to that! Thanks for sharing.
Janet @ Healthoop
My daughter likes cheese. This food looks delicious. I will try doing it for her. Thanks!
amanda @ fake ginger
Totally craving this now. I may be making a grocery store run after this. It just looks amazing! Gotta love how melty that cheese is.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Gorgeous, gorgeous. This grilled cheese is PERFECTION!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
I mean, how can anyone NOT love this grilled cheese. One of the best combos out there!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
Love that heat from the jalapeño and that toast is my ideal shade of golden. Bring on the grilled cheese!
Naomi
Love the flavors in this! And muenster happens to be one of my fav sandwich cheese :)
heidi
I agree Naomi, Muenster is one of those hidden gems of a cheese :)
Maria Lichty
Bring on the cheese! Love this grilled cheese!
Chloe
Jalapeno and cheese is always a winning combination in my book! Fab!
heidi
The cream cheese makes it extra creamy, hope you’ll give it a try!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking
How did I not know grilled cheese day was a thing?! I totally need to make this one for lunch!