With savory ham, nutty melted Gruyère, tangy Dijon, and buttery crisp bread, this grilled ham and cheese sandwich is gourmet comfort food at its best.
The key is cooking the sandwich over medium-low heat with a lid on the pan. This allows the cheese to get all melty and gooey before the bread turns black.
Oh, and we can’t forget the mayo coating. Thanks to the higher smoke point, it lets the bread get nice and golden without burning!
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Also known as a ham and cheese toastie, there’s a lot to love about this nostalgic recipe.
Perfect for Kids and Adults Alike: The yummy flavors of ham and cheese will never go out of style. It’ll appeal to picky eaters and grown-ups in need of a tasty meal.
Gourmet Simplicity: Thanks to the sophisticated flavors and high-quality ingredients, this is a surprisingly elevated twist on an old classic.
Versatile People Pleaser: Add spice, veggies, extra cheese, pickles…the list goes on!
Ingredients
- Sourdough Bread: The foundation of a great sandwich. You want thick slices to hold up to the gooey filling.
- High-Quality Deli Ham: Thinly sliced, flavorful deli ham like honey or black forest is the star of this sandwich – so splash out on the good stuff!
- Gruyère Cheese: The secret to an exceptional ham and cheese. Gruyère is a nutty, buttery Swiss cheese that melts beautifully and adds sophisticated flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: A touch of sharp, tangy Dijon mustard perfectly complements the ham and takes this sandwich to the next level.
- Mayo: Spread on the bread; it’s the key to that perfect crusty finish.
How to Make Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
In just a few short minutes, you can have a ham and cheese sandwich that’s hot and crispy on the outside and perfectly melty on the inside.
It’s an easy but elevated take on the lunchbox classic that will have you wondering why you ever settled for anything less.
Check out how easy it is:
1. WARM a skillet over medium-low heat.
2. SPREAD mayo over one side of the bread slices, then place them in the skillet, mayo side down.
3. COOK until the bread is lightly toasted. Spread the tops with more mayo and then flip.
4. SMEAR the mustard over the bread and top each slice with cheese.
5. COVER the pan and cook until the cheese melts.
6. ADD the ham, sandwich the bread together, then dive in!
Tips For the Best Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
The process of making this yummy ham grilled cheese is almost therapeutic.
Carefully assembling the ingredients, feeling the crunch of the bread as you press it down in the pan, and watching as the cheese slowly melts and oozes out the sides.
The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water.
But before you start, I have a few tips and tricks.
- Low heat. Cook the sandwich over medium-low heat to allow the cheese to melt without burning the bread.
- Cover pan. Place a lid over the skillet while cooking to trap in the heat and help melt the cheese evenly.
- Quality ham. Use thinly sliced, high-quality deli ham for the best taste and texture.
- Bread options. Choose a sturdy, crusty artisan bread like sourdough, ciabatta, or a crusty Italian loaf that can hold up to grilling.
- Cheese choices. Gruyère is ideal for its nutty flavor and excellent melting properties. Other options are Comté, Emmental, Gouda, or sharp cheddar.
- Add Parmesan. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan into the mayo before spreading it on the bread. This will make the crusty extra scrummy!
- Optional additions. Elevate your sandwich with caramelized onions, sliced apples or pears, fig jam, or a few baby arugula or spinach leaves.
- Serve with soup. Pair your grilled ham and cheese with a cup of tomato soup, butternut squash soup, or creamy potato-leek soup for a classic combo.
More Hearty Sandwiches You’ll Love
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Croissant Breakfast Sandwich
Fried Egg Sandwich
BLT Sandwich
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
2
servings5
minutes10
minutes795
kcalWith savory ham, nutty melted Gruyère, tangy Dijon, and buttery crisp bread, this grilled ham and cheese sandwich is gourmet comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
4 thick slices sourdough bread
4 tablespoons mayo
1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, to taste
6 ounces freshly grated Gruyère cheese
6 ounces thinly sliced high-quality deli ham (like honey ham or black forest ham)
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Spread half of the mayonnaise over one side of each slice of bread. Place them in the skillet, mayo side down and carefully spread the remaining mayo on the top sides.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden, then flip. Spread the mustard over the top of each slice, then divide the cheese between each slice of bread.
- Cover the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Remove the bread from the skillet and top 2 pieces with the ham. Sandwich the top slices in place and gently press down.
- Cool for 1-2 minutes, then slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use thick, crusty bread that will hold up to grilling.
- Cook low and slow, and keep the sandwich covered so the cheese melts before the bread burns.
- Enjoy the sandwich fresh out of the pan. The longer it sits, the soggier it’ll get. Wrap leftovers in foil and re-grill with more mayo/butter for the best results.