Pepper Jack & Tomato Grilled Cheese (Printable)

A spicy, melty sandwich featuring pepper jack cheese and fresh tomato slices, grilled on jalapeño-studded bread.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices jalapeño-studded bread

→ Cheese

02 - 4 slices pepper jack cheese

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced

→ Spreads & Fats

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Seasonings

05 - Salt to taste
06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Lay out the bread slices on a clean surface. Butter one side of each slice evenly.
02 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a work surface. Layer each with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese and half the tomato slices. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper as desired.
03 - Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form two complete sandwiches.
04 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until evenly heated.
05 - Place sandwiches in the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
06 - Remove from skillet and let cool for 1 minute. Slice each sandwich in half diagonally and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pepper jack creates these incredible lava like pockets of cheese that ooze out when you take a bite
  • Fresh tomato adds this bright acidic contrast that cuts through all that rich melty goodness
  • Jalapeño bread means every layer brings heat, not just the cheese
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here, high heat burns the bread before the cheese melts
  • Thin tomato slices are nonnegotiable, thick ones make the bread soggy and slide around
03 -
  • Mayo instead of butter on the outside creates an even crispier crust that will not burn as easily
  • Put a lid on the pan for the first minute to help the cheese melt faster
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