Description
A delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwich featuring smoky Gouda cheese paired with savory caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, all nestled between crispy sourdough bread slices. Perfect for a comforting vegetarian lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Butter
- 8 slices sourdough or rustic bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces cremini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Optional
- 8 slices smoked Gouda cheese
- Optional: Dijon mustard or mayonnaise for spreading
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add the thinly sliced onions. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions soften and begin to caramelize, developing a sweet and rich flavor.
- Sauté Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms and thyme to the skillet with the onions. Season with salt and pepper, then continue cooking for an additional 6 to 8 minutes until the mushrooms are browned and most moisture has evaporated. Remove the mixture from the heat and set aside.
- Prepare Sandwiches: Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, layer 1 to 2 slices of smoked Gouda cheese, then add a generous spoonful of the mushroom-onion mixture, followed by another slice of Gouda cheese. Top each with the remaining slices of bread, ensuring the buttered side is facing outward.
- Grill Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside has fully melted.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice in half if desired, and serve warm. Optional accompaniments include tomato soup or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Smoked Gouda adds a rich, savory depth to the sandwich, but you can substitute with Fontina or Gruyère for a different flavor profile.
- For extra flavor, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard or truffle mayonnaise on the bread before assembling the sandwiches.
- Serve this grilled cheese with tomato soup or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
