This Mushroom Grilled Cheese with Balsamic- Caramelized Onions might be the best grilled cheese you’ve ever tasted!
I like ordinary grilled cheese, but this is no ordinary grilled cheese. This one incorporates caramelized onions flavored with balsamic vinegar and mushrooms that have been sautéed in white wine. You can use Jack or Havarti cheese in this recipe. White cheddar would be good too!
There’s the butter. A couple of spoonfuls of shredded Parmesan and freshly chopped rosemary added in too. This was a very good idea. It turns ordinary bread into something special.
Step one: spread that delicious butter on one side of the bread and place it butter-side-down into a skillet.
Step 2 and 3: Add a generous layer of cheese. Add the balsamic caramelized onions (I explain how to make them in the recipe below, but you’re basically going to slow sauté sliced onions in a little oil for about 30 minutes, then swoosh in some balsamic vinegar for even more flavor. You’ll want to eat them with a spoon (be strong).
Step 4: Add your sautéed mushrooms (again, explained in the recipe below. These are simply sautéed with oil, salt, pepper and a swoosh of white wine).
Step 5: Add another generous layer of cheese. Why two layers of cheese? You want the cheese to act as the glue on both sides to hold the goodies together. Plus, you can’t really use too much cheese in grilled cheese, can you??
Step 6: Slather another slice of bread with that good butter and place it butter-side-up.
Let the sandwich sizzle away. It’s best if you do this one in a nonstick skillet since you don’t want the cheese to stick to the pan. A lid placed on top helps the cheese melt.
Flip it and watch that fabulous melty cheese do its thing!
When it’s all nice and toasty on both sides, move it to a cutting board, let it rest for a couple of minutes, then slice in half.
Serve it up!
Mushroom Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Caramelized Onions
Recipe Details
Ingredients
BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED ONIONS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
SAUTEED MUSHROOMS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- One 8-ounce package sliced mushrooms
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup white wine
BUTTER:
- ¼ cup (½ stick) salted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
SANDWICHES:
- 4 slices bread
- 4 ounces jack, havarti or white cheddar cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Heat a nonstick skillet to medium; add oil, onions and salt. Sauté the onions over medium to medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until the onions become soft and browned. Add the vinegar and swirl into the onions. Sauté until the liquid is absorbed/evaporated. Let cool.
- Prepare the mushrooms: Heat a nonstick skillet to medium; add oil, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Sauté the mushrooms over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until they are softened. Add the wine and sauté until the liquid is absorbed/evaporated. Let cool.
- Prepare the butter: Mix butter ingredients in a small dish.
- Assemble and grill the sandwich: (These are instructions for one sandwich, then repeat to make another): Spread butter on 2 slices of bread. Place the bread, butter-side-down, on a nonstick skillet. Top with a layer of cheese, then ½ of the onions, then ½ of the mushrooms. Add a second layer of cheese on top of the mushrooms. Add the 2nd slice of bread, butter-side-up, and set the pan over medium heat. Place a lid on top. Watch it closely. You want it just toasted and cheese beginning to melt before you flip it. Use a spatula to peek underneath, and adjust heat as needed. Flip and toast the other side. When properly toasted on both sides, remove to a plate, slice and eat. Repeat to make a second sandwich.
Nutrition
dill havarti
These cheeses sound amazing!! But the most adventurous cheese I have tasted was something that a friend brought over with peach preserves in it.
Just had a tasty chipotle goat cheese this weekend!
I’m a huge fan of a melty brie.
oh my gosh, this look divine!!! Can’t wait to make it!
Every now and then I buy a few random small wedges of cheese just to try, and my favorite one I’ve come across is the Lechester Cheddar Applewood Smoked Wheel – I love the creamy smokiness of it!
I really think I will move from the Netherlands to the USA so I will be able to participate in these wonderfull giveaways! 😉 These cheeses look great and I am sure I will be able to find something similar here so that I can make that beautifull sandwich!
I had some great brie in France.
Don’t judge me, but brie is my favorite. Mild? Yes. But delicious with everything!!!
I love a cheese I got from Costco with apricots in it. I think they carry it during the holidays.
My favorite cheese ever is the every so simple hoop cheese!
Fresh cream cheese
wow. I mean…just wow. A sandwich as gorgeous as this needs only one word.
Oh my goodness, that looks so delicious!
I have never really tried any cheeses other than the normal ones in the cheese section at the store but I really love asiago and colby cheese. There are so many in that photo above that I have never heard of but they sound so interesting!
I love cheese! These varieties sound amazing! Would love to try them 🙂
I recently tried blueberry goat cheese and it was delicious!
Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah from Traders!
Habanero Havarti and Roasted Garlic Havarti!
We love grilled cheese! Our kids request it so often! The best cheese I have ever taste was Merlot cheese. Goes great with chocolate! 🙂
Bluberry stilton – yummy!
What an amazing grilled cheese! I love the all the mushrooms and obviously all that melty, gooey cheese!
I had a truffle cheese once that was pretty incredible
Just a plain and simple grilled cheese with mozzarella is perfect to me.
I abosolutely love Cheddar cheese. I’ve tried all others, but it’s the best in flavor. I add it to almost everything! I always have some in my fridge.