Description
Craving a grilled cheese that’s anything but ordinary? This Smoked Gouda Apple Grilled Cheese is a quick lunch or easy dinner idea that balances smoky, sweet, and savory flavors in every bite. Crispy sourdough bread holds layers of melted smoked gouda and thinly sliced apples, with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to elevate the whole dish. It's the ultimate easy recipe for comfort food lovers, perfect for breakfast ideas, food ideas for lazy weekends, or a quick meal after a long day.
Ingredients
4 slices crusty sourdough or multigrain bread
1 cup smoked gouda cheese, shredded or sliced
1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
1 pinch sea salt (optional)
a few grinds black pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Prep all ingredients: slice apples, shred or slice cheese, and let butter soften.
2. Butter one side of each bread slice.
3. Assemble sandwiches with cheese, apple slices, more cheese. Close with second slice of bread, buttered side out.
4. Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
5. Grill sandwich 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
6. Remove from pan and let rest for one minute.
7. Slice and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
8. Serve immediately with optional sides like soup or salad.
Notes
Let the cheese come to room temperature to ensure a smooth melt.
Avoid high heat—it can burn the bread before melting the cheese.
Use sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best flavor contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy recipe, grilled cheese, smoked gouda, apple sandwich, comfort food, quick lunch, breakfast ideas