Save A bold, flavorful twist on classic grilled cheese: spicy roasted cauliflower, creamy ranch, and gooey melted cheese between crispy golden bread slices.
This grilled cheese quickly became a family favorite for its unique flavor combination and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
- Buffalo Cauliflower: 3 cups small cauliflower florets, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- Ranch Spread: 1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (optional)
- Sandwiches: 8 slices sourdough or country-style bread, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare cauliflower:
- In a bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Spread on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast cauliflower:
- Roast cauliflower for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven, toss with buffalo wing sauce, and roast 5 more minutes. Set aside.
- Mix ranch:
- In a small bowl, mix ranch dressing with chives and dill if using.
- Assemble sandwiches:
- Lay out bread slices. Spread ranch mixture on one side of each slice. On four slices, sprinkle half the cheddar and mozzarella. Top with buffalo cauliflower, then the remaining cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, ranch-side down.
- Heat skillet:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread butter on the outer sides of each sandwich.
- Grill sandwiches:
- Grill sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
- Serve:
- Let cool for 1 minute, slice, and serve warm.
Save We love making this for weekend lunches when everyone is craving something comforting yet different.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, mixing bowls, skillet or griddle, spatula, knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (bread), Milk (cheese, butter, ranch). Ranch dressing may contain eggs or soy check labels if sensitive. For gluten-free use gluten-free bread. For vegan use plant-based cheese butter and ranch.
Nutritional Information
Calories 430 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 35 g Protein 13 g per serving
Save This grilled cheese is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy making it a must-try for any cheese lover.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use gluten-free bread for this dish?
Yes, substituting with gluten-free bread works well and maintains the dish's crisp texture.
- → What cheeses work best for melting in this sandwich?
Sharp cheddar and mozzarella both melt smoothly and provide a rich, creamy flavor that complements the cauliflower.
- → How can I add extra heat to the cauliflower filling?
Drizzling additional buffalo sauce over the roasted cauliflower before assembling will increase the spiciness.
- → Is it possible to make the ranch spread from scratch?
Yes, a homemade ranch dressing using fresh herbs like chives and dill enhances the flavor and freshness.
- → What cooking tools are essential for preparing this dish?
A baking sheet for roasting, a mixing bowl for combining ingredients, and a skillet or griddle for grilling the sandwiches are needed.