3 Cheese Everything Spice Grilled Cheese.
Apparently, I am all about comfort food this week, and this 3 cheese everything spice grilled cheese is no exception.
This week started off with zucchini carbonara pasta, we then went on to homemade whole grain waffles, and we are now moving right along to this very special grilled cheese. Why all the comfort food? Well, two reasons…
Reason one: the weather here in the mountains has been incredibly stormy this entire month, like I’m talking ever since I got back from Mexico on July 6th. As I type this it is thundering, lighting, and pouring rain (and also freezing). Meaning it’s totally comfort food time.
Reason two: as most of you know my grandma passed last Thursday night. Even more so than the weather, her passing has left me in the comfort food state of mind. Plus, Nonnie loved a good bowl of pasta, a plate of waffles, and most definitely a grilled cheese. Maybe this is my way of paying homage to this very special lady I am missing so incredibly much this week!
Okay now, this grilled cheese…
It’s really not like any other grilled cheese you’ve ever had…it is better. While that’s probably a bold statement, I feel pretty confident saying it.
Um? Hello? Three cheese. Everything Spice. Bread. Butter. All melted together. Yes, this is what all Wednesday food should look like.
I can’t really remember just when I thought up this grilled cheese. I know it was at least a couple of weeks ago, but for the life of me I cannot put a finger on just what it is that made me think to sprinkle everything bagel spice (which is a simple mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, and salt) over my grilled cheese.
And yes, I might be a tad bit addicted to everything spice at the moment…see last weeks mac and cheese (again, more comfort food…at least I also posted salad last week too).
Anyway, regardless of how this recipe came to be, I am SO happy it did. Because not only is it easy, it’s delicious. Like the best grilled cheese I’ve ever made, or had. Yes, the best.
Here’s the thing about grilled cheese sandwiches, for the most part, they should be made fairly simple. I’m not too into the over the top combos. This is mostly because I love a classic grilled cheese with bread, cheddar, and butter.
The thought of adding everything spice though? Oh my gosh, it was just too good to resist.
So here is how this grilled cheese goes down…
First things first…the cheese. I used sharp cheddar and havarti (fontina would be great too). I love, love, love this combo. The cheddar adds the bulk of the flavor, while the harvarti acts as the super melty, ooey, gooey cheese. Yummmmm.
Next up…the bread. Sandwich the two cheeses together using your favorite bread. I bought some really good seeded sourdough from Whole Foods that I thought was a pretty good pairing, but use your favorite loaf. Next, butter the outside of the bread, sprinkle with parmesan (the 3rd cheese) and everything spice, and add to a skillet to cook until the cheese has melted and the crust is deep golden and crunchy.
The cheese on the inside becomes that melty goodness we love so much, while the outside of the bread becomes crisp from the parmesan, which is literally pan-fried into the bread. And the everything spice? Well…
It. Is. So. Good.
Melted cheese + everything spice = perfection on so many levels.
And lastly, this grilled cheese sandwich proves that sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that truly are the best.
ps. part two of this recipe is coming tomorrow…because all grilled cheese sandwiches need to be dipped into something!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Everything Spice Grilled Cheese
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy recipe
Level up your grilled cheese with my Everything spice!
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick cut bread
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded havarti or fontina cheese
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2-4 tablespoons everything bagel spice (recipe follows)
Instructions
-
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and a pat of butter.
2. Spread the outside of each slice of bread with butter and arrange the cheddar and havarti cheese on each side of the sandwich. Sprinkle the parmesan and everything spice over both buttered sides of the bread, pressing the spice mix gently into the bread to adhere.
3. Place the sandwiches, one at a time, in the skillet and cook until golden on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Everything Bagel Spice
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: flavorings, spice mix, spices
An easy to make spice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons toasted white or black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons caraway seeds
- 2 teaspoons dried onion
- 2 teaspoons dried garlic
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if needed
Instructions
-
1. Combine everything in a small bowl or glass jar. Keep stored in a cool, dry place. If needed, season to taste with more salt.
Recipe Notes
nutritional values are for the whole recipe
If only all Wednesdays could include a grilled cheese like this…ah wait, they can!
Comfort food at its best! 🙂
Love comfort food (: SO happy you like it ALice!
I absolutely LOVE everything bagels and can’t believe I don’t have a blend of what makes them tasty yet! This looks so good and I will be making it soon for sure. I like to sprinkle herbs on the buttered bread for grilled cheese, it adds a ton of flavor.
Sorry to hear about your Grandma 🙁
YAY so perfect these will hopefully be your favorite!!
Thanks Amber means a lot!
Over the moon, Tieghan!! Looks totally amazing! I always choose the everything bagel for any type of cold or hot sandwich, so I will definitely be making the spice blend and using it often!
Thank you so much Leah!! I hope you love it!!
The doctor wants me to cut back for awhile but come some cold snowy day in winter I’m getting this recipe out and making it.
Ah yes!! This will be so perfect for a snowy day! Hope you love it.
I’m so sorry about your grandmother. I’m not sure how I missed your post on Sunday as I always get them. There isn’t much to help with such a loss but making comfort food at least gives you something positive to do and share. I love how this grilled cheese is amped up with the everything spice.
Thank you Jean mens so much (:
Comfort food is everything and i’m loving the everything spice, hope you do too!
It’s amazing how something so simple as a grilled cheese can be so delicious and comforting. The sound of the pan fried parmesan has me wishing I had parmesan in my fridge right now, and that cheddar and havarti combo…. YES please!!!
I’m sorry about your Grandma.
Oh my gosh it really is, so so comforting! Hope you loved the grilled cheese!! Thanks James
BRAVO!!! Well Done!! And, so sorry to hear about your grandmother!
Thanks Lois!
The Everything Bagel spice mix is genius – I love those bagels…just make the mix and store…duh! More genius is to smash it onto your grilled cheese and get all that texture, crunch and flavors.
Tieghan, my computer has been down and out for almost a week and was so very sad when I read about your sweet Nonnie; just so very sorry and sincere condolences to all of your family. Some lovely ideas of how to keep her beautiful memory alive. For certain, you are doing so by way of your amazing cooking skills and taking care of people you love. I am sure she was amazingly proud of you. Bless your heart.
Thanks Tammy, I love them too!
Awh your so sweet, I really appreciate it Tammy. She was an amazing women!! Thank you!
I’m all about a really good grilled cheese sandwich, and the spices give it a more adult vibe. I’ll have to try this the next time I’m in the mood for comfort food. Also, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. My thought are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I hope you love it Alice! Thank you it means so much to have your thoughts at this time!
Comfort food is the best and I just love this grilled cheese. I know this is such a difficult time and I’m definitely praying for you and your family! xo
Awh, that means so much to me! Thank you so much Laura!
Tieghan, this looks divine! And sending warm hugs to you- grandmas are very special. Both of mine passed and I adored them truly. Their amazing cooking, baking, and hearts full of love remain with me…i remember the wonderful warm smells in their kitchens, especially during the cool autumn season & on holidays. Your grandma must be so proud of you and she is always with you….❤️❤️❤️
Hi Gia. Thank you so much for these sweet words, it really means a lot!
Thinking of you and your family… thankfully time does help, and you’ll have those memories with you forever!
In lighter news, I made this grilled cheese last night and it was incredible. BUT — when I flipped it, ALL the parm and seasoning came off and stuck to the pan. Noooooooooooooooo! But you know it’s a good recipe when that happens and we still gobbled them up 🙂
Oh no! Sorry that happened, but I am really glad you all still enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much Libby!
Awesome way to elevate grilled cheese! Looks decadent.
Thank you Hannah!
I am so sorry to hear about your Nonnie. I think sharing some of her favorite foods here is a great way to honor her.
On the upside, I have been craving a grilled cheese for days. This is a sign that I should give in to that craving. Thanks!
Thank you me too!! Her food was/is the best!
I think it is a sign haha!
Thanks for the recipe! I have to try it since I have the ingredients. Bought the Everything Bagel spice from Trader’s Joe some time back and I have not used it.
Ah perfect recipe to use it! Hope you love them, thanks Eileen!
T-I don’t know how often you come back to review comments from past recipes, but thought I’d try. Made these along with the heirloom tomato soup. Soup was a home run, but for some reason, the ‘everything bagel spice’ that I made was WAY too salty … I was making four sandwiches, so I doubled the recipe for the spice but kept the ratios the same. I also had some trouble with the spicy/buttery/cheesy coating coming off when I flipped the sandwich, but with care I got better! So … too much salt? too much spice? I’m perplexed …
Hey Dean, so it sounds like it might have just been too much salt for your taste…sorry about that! I am going to adjust the recipe a bit. As for cooking, the key is to let the grilled cheese get deep golden (think just before it’s burnt stage) before flipping. Also, use a thin, metal spatula. This worked really well for me and it was delish! Sorry for the trouble, but so happy you did enjoy the soup! Let me know if you have other questions. Thank you!
Just made the grilled cheese along with the Roasted Tomato Soup last night. SUCH COMFORT FOOD and soooo delicious,. My daughter didn’t want the seasoning on top so I made the recipes exactly as written but left out the spice mix – I did add the parmesan. My husband and daughter thought it was the best grilled cheese they ever had and they adored the soup. Lots of dunking and groans of happiness were happening. Thanks for another WINNING recipe!
Wow that is so amazing! I am so glad you and your family loved this recipe so much! Thank you Rose!
Tried this last night and it was perfect!
Thank you Whitney! xTieghan
So I’ve had everything bagel spice in my cabinet for years because I don’t really like it outside of a bagel, but this is the perfect application for it! I’m hooked and won’t be making grilled cheese without it again! It adds a salty nutty crunch that is so perfect. Definitely make this!
Haha yes! So glad this recipe finally changed your mind! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
Made this along with soup for a Halloween party last night. Both were a hit! Thank you!
That is so amazing to hear Laurel! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
I just discovered this webpage. I absolutely love your recipes. This is going to be amaaaazing. Thanks!!
Thank you Steph! I hope you love all of the recipes you try! xTieghan
Such a fun take on grilled cheese! Was looking for some inspiration to take my grilled cheese and tomato soup to the next level and this did it! Used store bought everything bagel spice, made such a nice crust on the outside of the bread and I never would’ve thought to add parmesan to the outside. Was worried it would burn but it was great! Another hit form HBH.
That is so amazing to hear! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Ashley! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi,
I just heard about your grandmother, I’m so sorry. I lost my grandma when I was 10 and she was more like a mother than a grandma.
I’m now 58 and have never forgotten her. I used to cry alot but then I learnt to accept and now I remember all the good times I had with her and how fortunate I was for her to have come into my life.
God rest your grandma’s soul in eternal peace and may he give you and your family strength and courage to bear such a huge loss🙏🏽
Aw thank you so much Roomina! I really appreciate this! I hope you have an amazing week! xTieghan
I did this quite awhile ago with Everything Bagel Seasoning from Aldi, which is AMAZING!! I used Sara Lee Artesinal bread and leftover smoked beef brisket, provolone, and pickles….and let me tell you, it ROCKED!!!
Thank you so much Sonia!! xTieghan