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Grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect when you want a warm lunch, but not a lot of trouble. On drizzly days, it's my go-to with a bowl of homemade tomato soup or this roasted eggplant soup made with roasted tomatoes.
You can keep it simple with just cheese, or add some sliced tomatoes. If I have spicy pepper jam on hand, I slather some on one of the slices of bread. And if I have Roasted Balsamic Tomatoes on hand, they're perfect on an gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
But one of my favorite is this grilled cheese sandwich with tomatoes and harissa mayonnaise.
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
The secret to faster and easier meals often lies in the ingredients. For example, store-bought items and ingredients you make ahead and store in the refrigerator (or freezer) can turn a 60-minute recipe into a 30-minutes meal or less.
For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Mayonnaise
- Harissa - either purchase it in the ethnic foods aisle of your grocery store, or make your own harissa. There's a big range of spiciness in harissa, and I like Mina Harissa as it's spicy, but not too much.
- Bread - use your favorite, whether it's whole grain bread with seeds or white bread.
- Cheddar cheese - or use a combination of cheeses. I like the combination of cheddar with either Monterey Jack cheese, Pepper Jack or Fontina cheese.
- Tomatoes - Plum tomatoes (Roma tomatoes) or larger tomatoes are perfect in this sandwich. I don't recommend cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Unsalted butter - for the pan.
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🔪 Recommended Equipment
Having the right equipment for recipes makes prepping soooo much easier. If you want more fuss-free prepping and cooking, check out my updated list of favorite kitchen tools and equipment.
- Cheese grater
- Chef's knife - for slicing the tomato.
- Large skillet large enough to accommodate 2 sandwiches, or a griddle.
👩🍳 Preparation Tips
- I recommend using two different cheeses together for a greater depth of flavor, but it's not absolutely necessary.
- Grating your own cheese means the cheese will melt better. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with cellulose to keep it from caking together. It also mutes the cheese flavor.
- The amount of cheese is dependent on the size of bread slices you're using. My rule of thumb is to have enough grated cheese to cover the bread to the approximate thickness of 3 slices of traditional American cheese.
💡Ideas for Possible Variations
- Roast the tomatoes, with or without balsamic vinegar.
- Experiment with the cheeses you use. Just make sure they're melty cheeses.
- If you want this sandwich spicier, swap out the harissa for chipotle peppers in adobo. If you want it less spicy, eliminate the harissa and use Pepper Jack cheese. Want it completely un-spicy? Eliminate the harissa and use mild cheeses.
📇 More Vegetarian Sandwiches You Might Like
Black Bean and Quinoa Wrap with Hummus
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Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomatoes and Harissa Mayonnaise
Equipment
- box grater
- Griddle or large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons harissa
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 tomato slices
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Stir together the mayonnaise and harissa. Spread onto 4 slices of bread.
- Pile the grated cheese onto two of the slices of bread, and flatten. Be sure you have good coverage on the bread. Top with tomatoes slices. Top with the remaining two bread slices.
- Melt a little butter in a heated skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and loosely cover. Cook for five minutes. Flip, using a spatula, and add additional butter if needed. Loosely cover the skillet, and cook for another 3 - 5 minutes.
- Remove, slice in half and serve warm.
TasteFood
This is AWESOME.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Lynda!!
lizthechef
Great photo - makes my mouth water...
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Liz! And I love how your hummus looks!!
apuginthekitchen
Delicious, nothing like a gooey cheese sandwich on a grey day, it brightens things up beautfully, Love the roasted tomatoes and harissa.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Isn't that the truth, Suzanne? I savored that rainy day along with the gooey cheese.
Debra
I am becoming a lover of Harissa. And, I love any grilled cheese.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I fell in love with harissa awhile ago too, and then started making my own. I add it to sooo many things to add a little kick 🙂
mjskit
I'm so glad I looked at that sandwich on a full stomach. WOW! I love cheese pouring from a grilled sandwich. There's nothing better. Harissa and bacon? I want this sandwich!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I almost didn't get the photos off before we ate it :-). Usually I'll check the photos before we eat the food, but not this time...
Snehal
Roasted balsamic tomatoes! I love balsamic anything - gotta try this! The picture is gorgeous. I thought there was a fig inside at first. Maybe I'll try that too 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Oh I love the idea of figs !! I roast them too in the late summer and early fall when they show up here.
Snehal Katre
We have a fig tree in the yard. I made a preserve last year with balsamic vinegar. I'll try roasting them this time.
Norma Chang
A treat now and then is a good thing for the soul.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
That's exactly how I feel, Norma. Food and life are to be enjoyed. It's all about balance.
EA-The Spicy RD
Oh my goodness yum! I'll take one on gluten-free bread please!!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Easily done, EA !!
Juls
So what brand of cheese do you use that is vegetarian? I haven't found any vegan that taste very good and those that do not use rennet on the "list" are pricey as all get out???
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Good question Juls. Whole Foods has a lot of choices for cheeses made with a vegetable rennet.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Really good information Juls ! I'm mostly vegetarian, but not completely (I frequently have fish when I eat out, and thus the wimpy vegetarian moniker), but rarely have meat or fish at home. My decision to go this direction is a combination of health issues, environmental concerns, and principle, and it's been more of an evolutional process than revolutional decision, if that makes sense, and it's still in progress. I really appreciate you sharing the information on the rennet. I knew it was an animal product, but not much more than that, and was just operating from one of the (many) definitions of vegetarian that includes all dairy, eggs, and honey. I'm not going to quit eating cheese today, to be honest, but I am going to join your investigation into cheeses made with plant enzymes so I can identify ones I like that I can switch to. And it's time to start to decrease my cheese intake, which my cholesterol will undoubtedly be grateful for as well. Thank you !!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I should add that if I identify some, I'll pass them onto you, and would love to hear if you find some good cheeses that use plant enzymes too!
Juls
Oh yes, please share! I have to say I wasn't ready to drop cheese either but when i think about it my stomach turns a bit. So until I come to terms with either the process or find another decent brand I have been skipping. Here is a link to the list that was sent to me:
http://cheese.joyousliving.com/
Good luck!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
What a great conversation. Thanks - I just checked it out! And I looked in my fridge at some rennet I bought at a cheese fair recently. I make soft 'farmer's' cheeses, but want to try my hand at harder cheeses. Luckily it says vegetarian rennet across it. Yay! Maybe we should just become cheese makers (in our spare time :-)).
Hannah
What an utterly divine sandwich, Susan! Harissa mayo and gooey cheese? Yes, please!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Hannah! The harissa really makes the difference. I add it to so many things now 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess
This sandwich looks incredible, Susan. I was craving a sandwich when I saw it on FB the other day. And the suggestion to add bacon is perfect for those that love a little crunchy bacon flavor;)
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Lora !! I'm in the middle of two moves right now, but am thinking of rolls I might want to link into your Twelve Loaves this week. I'm throwing a going party for our house this weekend, so it's the perfect time!
Julia
This sounds wonderful! I love the harissa in the sandwich.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks much Julia! I love harissa too - it's so versatile, isn't it?
laurasmess
Oh my gosh!!! This sandwich looks absolutely amazing! I love harissa. I've become a little addicted to it in recent months, especially added to thick Greek yoghurt as an accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish or roasted potatoes. I'll definitely try this sandwich. Grilled cheese is such a comforting, delicious option for any meal (even breakfast, I reckon!)
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love, love, love harissa. I make it now, since I'm using so much on so many things. Love the idea of adding it to yogurt and tossing with roasted potatoes. I've got some of these little guys in the refrigerator from a party that this would be perfect for. And the sandwich? Killer. If you like grilled cheese, and you like harissa and roasted tomatoes, this is right up your alley! Just subscribed to your blog too 🙂 Love it!
Mary Frances
Oh this looks FABULOUS! Sometimes comfort food is exactly what you need on a rainy summer day, and there's no comfort food quite like a cheesy, delicious sandwich!