A grilled cheese sandwich is hard to top for sweetness and richness. It’s the ideal fusion of sweet and savory, rich and velvety, and soft and crispy. The taste of this comfort meal is unquestionably delicious, but eating it with different side dishes enhances the flavor and improves your dining experience.
To avoid competing with the strong flavors in your main entrée, choose side dishes with delicate flavors. Choose light foods like tomato soup, vegetable salads, and fruits.
Besides grilled cheese, what else goes? Not to worry. We’ve assembled the top bands to provide you with a fantastic rock-your-taste-buds experience.
1. Tomato Soup- Ultimate Comfort Food
Imagine dunking your well-cooked grilled cheese sandwich in a bowl of fresh tomato soup. Tasty! We can’t talk about side dishes for grilled cheese without mentioning tomato soup. This classic combo is nothing short of perfection.
This iconic duo started post-World War II with school cafeterias serving it to boost Vitamin C in kids. Tomato soup is also easy to make. The salty crunch of grilled bread and the ooey-gooey of melted cheese paired with this savory soup is a match made in heaven.
Ditch the canned option and whip up a refreshing bowl of fresh tomatoes, onions, cream, and chicken broth. Add fresh herbs to elevate your bowl from basic to vibrant in a snap. This is an ideal option for lunch, especially for kids.
2. Butternut Squash Soup
This heartwarming autumnal soup is an instant hit, more so when it’s freezing or raining outside. Butternut squash soup is undoubtedly a bowl of comfort that hugs your soul with its vibrant yellow and richness of flavor.
This soup is rich and creamy and makes a perfect flavorful side when paired with a hearty sandwich like crunchy grilled cheese. To elevate the velvety soup, you can add crunchy toppings such as apples, pears, bacon, and pumpkin seeds. Don’t forget to toast the seeds for that extra crunchiness.
3. Bologna Sauce
If you opt for crepes instead of bread in making your grilled cheese sandwiches, you want a drool-worthy side dish. Bologna sauce is perfect for the job! This flavorful, slow-cooked, classic Italian sauce is a rich blend of ground meat slow-cooked with a soffrito of celery, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and milk for a creamy texture.
This Italian staple is bursting with color, texture, and flavor. Pair it up with grilled cheese for an effortlessly rich and savory combo.
4. Fruit Punch
When looking to keep things on the lighter side and nutritious, fresh fruit is the go-to side dish for your grilled cheese sandwiches. The best fruits to pair with cheese sandwiches are grapes, apple slices, pears, watermelon, berries, and cherries.
Chop up a variety for a vibrant and refreshing entrée. Coat all that goodness in light Greek yogurt for that tangy taste and perfect contrast. The sweetness of the fruits balances out the savory cheese and takes it to the next level of crunchiness.
5. Sweet Potato Fries
An instant crowd-pleaser – sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to their deep-fried Russet counterparts. Colorful, with a salty-sweet flavor, an earthy taste, and a crunchiness, the food blends well with every savory food, including a grilled cheese sandwich
Plus, roasted sweet potato fries are a great way to get your family to eat more vegetables. Season with a spice mix of paprika, garlic, black pepper, and salt for a mild spicy kick.
6. Pickles
Time for a sour change after all the sweetness. Pickles are a great option to pair up your grilled cheese sandwich. The tart and tangy flavor of pickles cut through the oiliness and heaviness of grilled cheese. Switch it up with pickled red onions for that extra flavor to level up your grilled cheese game.
You can use store-bought pickles or make them at home. It’s easy! Slice cucumbers and red onions and toss them in a bowl. Drown the veggies in a mixture of vinegar and water. Sprinkle in salt, and pepper and add dill fronds. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 5 hours.
7. Ketchup & Mustard
Your grilled sandwich could use a dip! For a quick and easy option when you’re so exhausted to whip up anything serious, then ketchup and mustard are what you serve with your grilled cheese sandwiches. The ketchup and mustard lend flavor to a basic sandwich.
For mustard, go beyond the yellow kind and explore other varieties, including sweet mustard, dill mustard and sriracha mustard, for a diverse richness of flavor-boosters.
8. Chicken Noodle Soup
The food is savory, healthy, and comforting. There’s nothing as rich and hearty as when it is paired with grilled cheese. The combo is simple to prepare too. Forget the chicken noodle soup in a can. You can always make this from scratch at home, plus it’s more refreshing, and you can play up the ingredients.
The key to any good soup is to keep things simple and fresh. Fresh herbs, salt and pepper, garlic, onions, and vegetables like carrot make it tasty, flavorful, and healthy. Pair it up with a grilled cheese sandwich for a yummy lunch or dinner! Nothing fancy is required.
9. Salad
Kick your basic grilled cheese sandwich up a notch with a veggie boost. Chop and mix your favorite vegetables for a nutritious side dish including cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. Sprinkle with oil, salt, and pepper, and dress it with vinegar. You can also add carrots and sweet cabbage to tone down the greasy taste of cheese.
This vegan-loaded salad is low in calories and nutrient-dense. If you’re trying to keep your weight in check, this veggie mix is an ideal choice.
Quick Tips for the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Best Cheese for the Bread Sandwich
The cheese you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is a deal-breaker. The trick here is to pick a cheese that melts easily, like Mozzarella, Fontina, Cheddar, Colby Jack, and Gruyere.
Best Bread for Grilled Cheese
The perfect grilled cheese sandwich starts with using the perfect bread. Ditch the bread aisle and opt for fresh-baked bread, as it will give you the best results. Or, make your own loaf at home.