National Grilled Cheese Day: FOUR Recipes-As Seen on TV!

This National Grilled Cheese Day, give these four simple, yet creative grilled cheese recipes a try.  From the Spicy Nacho to the Classic Pizza Grilled Cheese, a light tomato Caprese, and finally my favorite-Vegan Tempeh Parmesan with plant-based cheese…. there’s something for everyone. 

Did you know that April 12 is National Grilled Cheese Day?

It’s true! And what better way to celebrate it than enjoying a fun twist on this cheesy classic!

While the classic grilled cheese is perfection unto itself, it’s also fun to experiment and created more elevated flavors. 

I recently had the opportunity to share these recipes on KWGN, specifically my Plant Based Grilled Cheese (with plant based cheese and tempeh)! Mmmm. Keep Scrolling for the recipe.

Tips when Creating new Grilled Cheese flavors

There are so many amazing flavor combinations you can create by just melting cheese.  

I remember many years ago, I had this favorite 4 Cheese topping burger I would always get at a local restaurant. 

I LOVED the way that the four distinct cheeses melted into each other adding layers of flavor and texture. 

Tip #1:  Start with a hard or firm cheese like cheddar. 

Tip #2:  Add on a cheese that melts really well-like Mozarella.

Tip #3:  Add on a crumbly cheese like goat, feta, or cojita.

Tip #4:  Add in herbs or spices (like chili powder or oregano) to the oil brush before you grill the sandwich.

Recipe #1: The Spicy Nacho Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

2 slices of sourdough bread

1-2 tablespoons of salsa

1 slice of mozzarella

1 slice of cheddar

1 slice of Colby Jack

Splash of chili powder

About a tablespoon of olive oil

Steps:

Take your bottom piece of bread and spread 1 tablespoon of salsa. 

Next layer on the cheese. 

Optional:  add a layer of salsa to the top slice.  You can also sprinkle chili powder onto the cheese.

Close the sandwich and brush olive oil on the top and bottom.  Sprinkle a little bit of chili powder on the olive oil covered bread.

Cook on a skillet or panini press for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. 

Enjoy!

Recipe #2: The Pizza Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of marina or pizza sauce  

1 slice of mozzarella

1 slice of provolone

About a teaspoon oregano

2 slices of peperoni or salami  

About a tablespoon of olive oil

Steps:

Take your bottom piece of bread and spread 1 tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce. 

Next layer on the cheese. 

Then add the peperoni or salami.

Sprinkle on some oregano.

Close the sandwich and brush olive oil on the top and bottom.  Sprinkle a little bit of oregano on the olive oil covered bread.

Cook on a skillet or panini press for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. 

Enjoy!

Recipe #3: Caprese Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

2 slices of mozzarella

2 slices of tomato

About 1/2 teaspoon oregano

About 1 tablespoon olive oil

For olive oil spread: 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

a sprinkling of fresh chopped basil 

Steps:

Take your bottom piece of bread and spread 1 tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce. 

Next layer on the cheese. 

Then add the sliced tomato.

Sprinkle on some oregano.

Close the sandwich and take the olive oil spread (mix it well) then brush it on the top and bottom. 

Cook on a skillet or panini press for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. 

Enjoy

Recipe #4: Tempeh Parmesan Grilled Cheese

I’ve been making this sandwich for almost 20 years, ever since I ate one at my favorite sandwich shop.  I’ve spent years perfecting it and now I’m excited to present to you a version with plant-based cheese.

Why Try Plant Based Cheese?

• GOOD PLANeT plant-based cheese is allergen-friendly, for all dietary needs.
• GOOD PLANeT plant-based cheese is keto-friendly.
  • (Feel free to adapt this recipe with keto-friendly bread, and easily share with friends and family following the keto diet.)
  • GOOD PLANeT’s plant-based cheese is my cheese of choice because:

• Health: GOOD PLANeT cheeses are allergen free, meaning dairy, gluten, soy, fish/shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and egg are nowhere to be seen in any of their products, and GMO Free.
• They also have 1/3 the fat of dairy cheese, no cholesterol and 1/3 the calories.
• Recipe performance: Their plant-based cheese performs like traditional dairy-based cheeses. The taste, texture and meltability can’t be beat! 
• Environment: Natural cheese products have a major impact on our water and environmental resources and increase emissions. Our product has a low impact … something we can all celebrate! For example, a slice of dairy cheese uses as much as 423 cups of water to produce while its plant-based counterpart uses as little as 0.6 cup of water.

Look at the cheese! It melted just like traditional cheese—and it’s soo creamy!!

So let’s get started on the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 slices of sourdough bread (or bread of choice) 

2 tablespoons marinara or pizza sauce 

2 pieces of sauteed tempeh (about half a pack of tempeh)

2 tablespoons of GOOD PLANeT Shredded Parmesan Cheese

For olive oil spread: 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

a sprinkling of fresh chopped basil 

Steps:

Take a pack of tempeh and slice in half length-wise, then cut in half. (You’ll now have 4 rectangular pieces.  Put 2 aside for another sandwich.) 

Sautee with olive oil until golden brown for about 5 minutes. Flip the tempeh half-way through so it cooks evenly. 

Take your bottom piece of bread and spread 1 tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce.  Lay the tempeh on top then sprinkle with the GOOD PLANeT parmesan cheese.  Spread another tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce on the top layer of bread and close the sandwich.  Finally, mix the olive oil mixture well and brush  on both outer sides of the sandwich and cook on a skillet or panini press for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.  

Enjoy!

Happy National Grilled Cheese Day!