Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Three Pepper Cheese, Grilled Onions & Pickled Jalapenos

So grilled cheese sandwiches will never be on any healthy foods list.  But, once in a while, they are the perfect comfort food dish. I try to make mine as good-for-you as possible by using the best quality possible ingredients and cooking them panini style which means I can eliminate the butter spread on the outside of the bread. A few less fat grams never hurt, right? Sadly, my panini press is still buried deep in the storage room after the move so I am sharing my "grill pan topped with heavy skillet" trick to achieve the same result.

In keeping with the Red or Green? philosophy of adding spiciness to everything, this recipe uses a delicious New Mexican 3 Pepper Colby Jack cheese with jalapenos, chipotle and habanero peppers but you could use your favorite pepper jack.Grilled onions and pickled peppers complete this delicious, perfectly melted treat. Enjoy!

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Three Pepper Cheese, Grilled Onions & Pickled Jalapenos 
(makes 4 sandwiches)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
8 thick cut slices sourdough or french bread
1/3 lb Three Pepper Colby Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, jarred or homemade, thinly sliced

cheese and peppers, prepped

Heat large grill pan over medium high heat or heat panini press. Add olive oil and onions. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until onions soften and begin to caramelize. Remove from pan. Add 4 slices bread to grill pan and top with cheese, onions and peppers. 

Top with remaining 4 slices of bread. If using a panini maker, close top and cook for 4-5 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.. If using a grill pan, reduce heat to medium, top the sandwiches with a heavy pan, cook for 4 minutes, flip sandwiches and cook another 3-4 minutes.

see the sandwich pressed between the two pans?

Remove from pan, cut in half and serve immediately.

Melty spicy cheese, toasted bread, grilled onions and tangy pickled peppers...The ultimate comfort food!

Other grilled cheese recipes you may enjoy:
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Red or Green Style
Grilled Vegetable & Cheese Quesadillas

It is "Comforting Grilled Cheese Sandwiches" week at Comfort Food Feast roundup. Check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends. Do you have a favorite grilled cheese recipe? Feel free to share in the comments section or link to your blog if you have one. 

Jeanette's Healthy Living: Lighted Up Croque Monsieur Grilled Cheese
Blue Apron Blog: The Tastiest Grilled Cheese Fillings
Weelicious: Grilled Cheese and Pickle Panini
Devour: Kelsey's Decadent Grilled Cheese
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Inside Out Grilled Strawberry and Cheese Sandwiches
Daily*Dishin: Grilled Pimento Cheese with Instant Pickles
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Pork Stew in Port Wine Sauce with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Red or Green: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Three Pepper Cheese, Grilled Onions and Pickled Jalapenos
Dishing With Divya: Egg and Mushroom Cheese Sandwich
Domesticate Me: Barbecue Chicken Grilled Cheese
Taste With The Eyes: Bulgogi Panino with Kimchi, Cheddar and Ssamjang Mayo
Virtually Homemade: Creamy Roasted Tomato and Basil Grilled Cheese with Bacon
The Sensitive Epicure: Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwich with Apple, Walnuts and Thyme (Gluten-Free)
FN Dish: 10 Grown-Up Grilled Cheeses

best,
Diane

red or green? 

California Girl in Taos

napa farmhouse 1885

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