Pepper Jack & Tomato Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

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 - Pinch of salt
06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers serious flavor in under fifteen minutes, perfect for when youre hungry and impatient.
  • The pepper jack melts into creamy, spicy pools that soak into every bite without being too aggressive.
  • Fresh tomato cuts through the richness and adds a juicy contrast you dont get with plain cheese.
  • The jalapeño bread gives you heat in every corner, so no bite feels boring or one-note.
02 -
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable, high heat will char the bread before the cheese melts and youll end up with a crunchy shell around cold cheese.
  • Slice the tomatoes thin, thick slices make the sandwich slippery and hard to flip without everything sliding apart.
  • Let the butter soften completely before spreading, cold butter rips the bread and creates uneven coverage that leads to burnt spots.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with the spatula while it cooks to help the cheese make contact with the bread and melt faster.
  • If the bread is browning too fast, lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid for a minute to trap steam and melt the cheese through.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a full minute before cutting, this keeps the cheese from running out and makes it much easier to eat.
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