Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic
If a single food could serve as my autobiography, it would be the grilled cheese sandwich. Current chapter: Avocado Grilled Cheese.
My life’s cheesy tale would undoubtedly begin with the white wonder bread and single-wrapped American cheese slices of my childhood. One of four things I would eat without complaint (the other three being mac and cheese, ice cream, and Pizza Hut), this classic sandwich was a regular on our family dinner menu.
As I matured into a confident 10-year-old capable of making her own lunch, my grilled cheese evolved along with me. I learned to tolerate wheat bread and to make more gourmet grilled cheese selections: real cheddar cheese and a slice of deli ham. This faithful combination carried me through adolescence (and would later reemerge to help me survive my first year out of college).
Now a reasonably self-sufficient adult, I’ve come to view grilled cheese not as a relic of my past, but as a trusted friend who rushes to my side on hectic weeknights. Some of my favorite (and frequent) dinners are “grown up” versions of grilled cheese. The basics are there—the buttery, toasty bread; the gooey, melty cheese—but with a little creativity, this humble sandwich of my childhood is transformed into a satisfying meal I’ll happily eat well into my old age.
Three years of attempting to feed myself and another human being (also known as marriage) have produced a respectable repertoire of “grown-up” grilled cheese sandwiches ranging from Raspberry Chipotle Bacon to Eggplant Ricotta. Today’s avocado-goat cheese version is my absolute favorite grilled cheese to date.
The double creamy factor from the avocado and goat cheese creates smooth, luxurious filling that tastes velvety rich and decadent, but is actually much healthier than most grilled cheeses you’ll find. Fodder for a second helping? I say yes.
Since both goat cheese and avocado are relatively mild, I bumped up their flavor with a whop of garlic and generous handful of freshly chopped herbs. The resulting filling is zesty and bright, and its creaminess makes a pleasing contrast against the hot toasty bread.
Grilled cheese, you keep me forever young.
Avocado Grilled Cheese with Goat Cheese and Herbs
Ingredients
- 4 slices whole wheat bread
- 2 tablespoons softened butter — plus additional 2 tablespoons for cooking the sandwiches
- 1 large avocado — lightly mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 ounces softened goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves
Instructions
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I’m also sharing this recipe on the KitchenAid Kitchenthusiast blog, where I am a contributor.
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Grilled cheese and chicken fingers were all I would eat for the first 10 years of my life, too…and I still love them both! I’ve never used goat cheese, though, thanks for the idea :)
Sorry, you did WHAT? Herbs, goat cheese, and avo? Oooh baby.
Um, if you slap an egg on this we are talking brunch level status! Seriously, this grilled cheese looks amazing!!
What a great idea for our lunch today!! I have all the ingredients in my fridge!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. :) It sounds so good, I love avocado, I love goat cheese!
Grown up grilled cheese. Always a win. Always comforting. Love these Erin!
Yum! this looks so healthy (well mostly) and delicious. I love adding avocado to grilled cheese ; )
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Oh grilled cheese, I do love you! I went through a phase where it was all I would eat as a kid! So bad :) This version sounds so so good with the avocado and goat cheese!
My childhood grilled cheese was kraft american, sliced turkey and ketchup. And yes it still holds a place in my heart:-) Adding this to the routine, though!
Girl, I’ve never met a grilled cheese I didn’t like. I’m totally digging the goat cheese avocado combo!
Hey girl- This sounds really good!! So creative!
Good idea to prepare this for lunch later. Very healthy!
This avocado grilled cheese sandwich sounds and looks so delicious!!! Yum!
This looks so delicious! Gosh avocados are so good!!! :)