French onion grilled cheese is a grown-up take on a childhood favorite

Nothing hits the spot quite like a grilled cheese sandwich on a chilly winter’s day, and if you’re seeking ways to elevate this classic favorite, look no further than this recipe for french onion grilled cheese!

This adult take on grilled cheese looks like something you would pay $15 for at an upscale lunch spot, but it is actually super-straightforward to prepare.

The addition of caramelized onions and fresh thyme leaves — and the use of Gruyere instead of plain old American cheese — bring this sandwich from cafeteria classic to elegant entree.

And these flavorful fillings call for some sturdy bread, so skip the Wonder Bread and go for the real thing. Sylvia from Feasting at Home suggests using French bread or a heartier option like whole-grain, seeded bread.

If you don’t love Gruyere, you can swap out the sweet, salty Swiss cheese for another option, like Jarlsberg, which is a semisoft cheese known for its slightly nutty and mild flavor.

Other cheeses which are great for grilling include gouda or manchego. Gouda is a Dutch cheese that is soft and almost sweet, while manchego is a Spanish cheese that is creamy and buttery, making it the perfect consistency for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going all-American, but it’s fun to break out of your culinary comfort zone!

Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home.

Serve the grown-up french onion grilled cheese sandwich with a flavorful minestrone that features plenty of garden vegetables. This recipe for minestrone from Ellie Krieger calls for tomatoes, pasta, beans and lots of veggies, as well as fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

What a perfectly warming wintertime dinner or luxurious weekend lunch. Who said grilled cheese was just for kids?