The Well Plated Cookbook is now available for pre-order! 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 with Herbed Goat Cheese and Garlic.
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).
A Little About Grilled Cheese
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.
The Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Bread. I chose to use wheat bread for its health value, but you could use any sandwich bread you have on hand.
- Butter. For perfectly crisp and golden bread.
- Avocado. Creamy and undeniably delicious.
- Spices + Herbs. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder for the spices and basil and parsley for the herbs. 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.
- Goat Cheese. A delightful addition to this sandwich, and it pairs nicely with the avocado.
- Green Onion + Spinach. A little extra green goodness.
What to Serve with This Avocado Grilled Cheese
- Vegetables. Try a healthy side like these Sautéed Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Zucchini.
- Applesauce. Add some fruit to your meal by serving this sandwich with a side of homemade Crockpot Applesauce.
- Salad. A light and tasty salad like Creamy Cucumber Salad would be delicious.
Other Delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes
- Apple Grilled Cheese with Turkey, Cheddar, and Apple Butter
- BLT Grilled Cheese
- Raspberry Chipotle Bacon Grilled Cheese
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Grilled Cheese
- Eggplant Ricotta Grilled Cheese
- Roasted Carrot Grilled Cheese
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
- Spread one side of each bread slice with butter, ensuring you reach all the way to the edges. Set aside.
- Lightly mash the avocado with the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the goat cheese and herbs.
- For each sandwich, layer 1 bread slice (butter-side down), 1/4 of the goat cheese mixture, 1/2 of the avocado mixture, 1/2 of the spinach, another 1/4 of the goat cheese, then top with the remaining bread slice, butter-side up. Repeat for the second sandwich.
- To cook the sandwiches, melt 1-2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium low. Place the sandwiches on top, then cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side until the bread is golden, checking often to see that the bread is cooking nicely and doesn’t burn. Flip the sandwiches to the other side and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the centers are hot. Let cool slightly and enjoy immediately.
I’m also sharing this recipe on the KitchenAid Kitchenthusiast blog, where I am a contributor.
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