Quick and Easy Grilled Cheese Ideas for Busy Weeknights

You do not always have to use the skillet to make a grilled cheese sandwich. If you have an air-fryer, you can use it to make a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The circulating hot air cooks the entire sandwich, creating a crispy golden brown exterior and a perfectly gooey interior. 

With the air fryer method, you do not have to watch over your sandwich to ensure it does not get too toasty. You can plop your sandwich right in and walk away until it is time to flip.

There is no debate that a Sloppy Joe is perfect as it is. The messy sandwich is filled with ground meat simmered in a sweet and savory sauce with hints of spice and tang. 

But to elevate your sloppy joe experience, add a few slices of cheese and toast them for the delicious melty cheese mess. The cheese helps hold them together, and it is so delicious you will never make a sloppy joe without cheese again.

We can all agree that grilled cheese is indulgent and not the healthiest food. If the thought of that makes you feel guilty,  adding some greens to the sandwich is always a good idea. You can layer the melty mozzarella cheese with spinach, avocado, asparagus, and sandwich spread.

You can use your favorite sandwich spread or make a mayo-based spread with chives, fresh tarragon, garlic clove, anchovy paste, mayonnaise, and spinach leaves. 

A BLT Grilled Cheese is a delicious combination of a BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato) and a grilled cheese sandwich. It is made with crispy bacon, lettuce, fresh tomatoes, and thick slices of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, all on toasted sourdough bread.

Ensure you are using the freshest ingredients possible for the tastiest sandwich. Reach for perfectly ripe, juicy red tomatoes and extra thick-cut bacon. You can elevate the bacon by brushing it with maple syrup and a little cayenne pepper. 

Everyone loves a good avocado toast, but if you want to amp up your breakfast with something more innovative, you could always try an avocado grilled cheese. If you have never tried an avocado and cheese combination, you will be surprised at how well the two complement each other.

Many avocado sandwiches call for mashed avocados, but for grilled cheese, it is better to slice it finely. This is because it gives the sandwich a bit more stability and texture.

Buffalo chicken is incredibly versatile. You have them as is, put them on pizza, stuff them in peppers, or layer them in slices of bread for a buffalo chicken grilled cheese. It is a satisfying and flavorful sandwich, perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack.

This sandwich is perfect when you have leftover rotisserie chicken. The chicken is coated in buffalo sauce and layered with Monterey jack cheese, blue cheese crumbles, and jalapeño.

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to grilled cheese. Some like the simple and classic version, but if you want a little flair and personality in your sandwich, a pizza-grilled cheese might be for you. 

Filled with ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese, flavorful pepperoni, zesty basil, perfectly spiced marinara and loads of butter, this sandwich might be what you are looking for. You can serve it with additional pizza sauce for dipping. 

Whoever said fruits should not be allowed on a grilled cheese has never tried an Apple Bacon Cheddar Grilled Cheese before. Putting fruits in your sandwich might be surprising, but the combination of smoky bacon and sweet fuji apples makes this grilled cheese unforgettable. 

All the ingredients are tied together with a Dijon mustard sauce made with kewpie mayo, everything but the bagel seasoning, dijon mustard, freshly chopped sage leaves, and honey. 

An Irish Grilled Cheese sandwich is the perfect way to embrace Irish ingredients in a classic grilled cheese framework. In this sandwich, Irish soda bread, a slightly denser and sweeter bread, replaces the classic sandwich bread. 

But the Irish twist comes not from the bread but ingredients in the sandwich. An Irish grilled cheese has all sorts of fillings like grated potato pancakes, whiskey caramelized onions, Irish chutney, and bacon to counterpoint the creamy cheese. 

Corned Beef Grilled Cheese is a simple, flavorful, and delicious sandwich. It is made with buttery toasted bread, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and corned beef, perfect for elevating the classic grilled cheese.

The salty, savory punch of corned beef takes center stage, while the melted cheese balances all the meaty savoriness with its creamy richness and sharp tanginess. For an added kick, use spicy brown mustard or drizzle hot sauce on the finished sandwich, and consider adding a thin layer of caramelized onions.

A zucchini grilled cheese offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Grated zucchini is formed into zucchini patties and stuffed into wonderfully golden-brown, toasted bread amidst melted cheese.

The zucchinis add a mild, vegetal sweetness and a refreshing crunch, while the melted cheese adds richness and creaminess. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill can add pops of green and a vibrant aroma but it is optional.

A kimchi bacon grilled cheese is a unique way to enjoy kimchi beyond its traditional uses. This sandwich is a perfect option for those who love spicy and savory flavors. The kimchi helps to cut through the rich and sharp flavors of the cheddar and fontina cheeses in the sandwich. 

To kick it up a notch, you can add bacon, which adds a salty, savory counterpoint to the kimchi's tanginess, creating a satisfying contrast.

If you have a leftover antipasto platter, turn it into one of the most amazing grilled cheese sandwiches. Layer sliced salami, red peppers, black olives, pepperoncini, and marinated artichoke hearts in a golden-brown, toasted bread with melted cheese.

These ingredients lend a medley of savory, salty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors to the sandwich. It is a perfect option for those who love Italian flavors and diverse textures.

Give your grilled cheese a spicy upgrade with jalapeño poppers. These poppers deliver a burst of heat, which can be adjusted based on your spice preference. If you prefer milder heat, choose less spicy jalapeños or remove the seeds for a more subdued kick.

And do not forget the mascarpone cheese. They are amazing on a grilled cheese sandwich. It also acts as a soothing counterpart, its richness tempering the jalapeño's heat and adding a delightful tang.

Combining grilled cheese with classic comforting flavors, like the Philly Cheesesteak, is a no-brainer. Golden-brown, toasted bread cradles a filling of thinly sliced ribeye steak, sauteed onions, and melted cheese with hints of green and red bell peppers scattered about.

This sandwich is ridiculously delicious and combines two iconic American foods: the melty goodness of a grilled cheese with the savory, meaty flavor of a Philly cheesesteak.

This sandwich combines the best parts of a baked potato and a grilled cheese. Fluffy bread is loaded with creamy mashed potato, crispy bacon bits, melty cheese, and all baked to golden perfection. 

You do not need any fancy ingredients. Just grab mashed potatoes (leftover or fresh), cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or mix it up!), or any type of bread, and top it with bacon, chives, or sour cream for extra flavor. 

Another stellar grilled cheese sandwich is a BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese. It is comforting and has a slight kick from the savory and tangy BBQ sauce. These BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwiches are a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.

Garlicky buttered French bread is pan-fried to perfection and paired with the savory flavors of BBQ chicken and creamy, melted Havarti cheese. You can serve the sandwich by itself or with fresh coleslaw. 

Corn may not be the first add-in that comes to mind when you think about upgrading your grilled cheese sandwich, but you would be surprised at how irresistibly delicious the buttery little kernels are, especially when they are paired with crisp bread and gooey cheese.

A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream adds an extra zing. This sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch, a fun snack, or a delicious side dish.