Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese (Print View)

A spicy, creamy grilled cheese with jalapeños, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar melted between buttery bread.

# Components:

→ Dairy

01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped

→ Bread

05 - 4 slices sturdy white or sourdough bread

→ Optional Additions

06 - 2 tbsp cooked bacon bits

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and chopped jalapeños. Mix until well blended.
02 - Optional: Stir in bacon bits for additional flavor and texture.
03 - Spread half the cheese mixture evenly over two slices of bread. Top each with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
04 - Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering both sides generously.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes the nostalgia of grilled cheese and gives it a grown up twist without any fuss.
  • The cream cheese melts into this luscious layer that holds everything together like magic.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood or who you are feeding.
  • It comes together so fast you will wonder why you ever ordered takeout on a weeknight.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese is not soft enough, the filling will be lumpy and hard to spread evenly, so give it time to come to room temperature.
  • Medium heat is your friend here because high heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts, and I learned that the hard way with a smoke alarm and a ruined sandwich.
  • Seeding the jalapeños is not optional unless you like your mouth on fire, because those seeds pack all the heat and none of the flavor.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with your spatula while they cook to help the cheese melt faster and the bread crisp evenly.
  • If you are making more than two sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
  • Shred your own cheddar instead of buying pre shredded because it melts smoother and does not have that weird coating that keeps it from clumping.
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