Ah, the classic grilled cheese sandwich—a symphony of melty cheese and crispy bread that never fails to hit the spot. Remember that viral moment last summer when everyone was adding everything from kimchi to chocolate? Well, this recipe keeps it simple yet sublime, with just the right amount of ooey-gooey goodness. Grab your skillet; it’s time to create some edible nostalgia!
Steps
- Melt unsalted butter in a pan and sauté chopped yellow onion until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
- Stir in chopped jalapeños, quartered cherry tomatoes, and chopped pickled serrano peppers if using. Cook until the tomatoes start to soften.
- In a separate bowl, mix corn starch with water to form a slurry. Add this to the pan and stir to thicken the mixture slightly.
- Pour in evaporated milk and add canned green chilies, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add shredded white American cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and integrated.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving, ensuring the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped small yellow onion
- Minced garlic
- Seeded, veined, and chopped jalapeños
- Quartered cherry tomatoes
- Chopped pickled serrano peppers (optional)
- Corn starch
- Water
- 12 oz. evaporated milk
- 4.5 oz. green chilies
- Cilantro
- White American cheese
- Thomas’ English muffins
- Large eggs
- Smoked and brine-packed ham
- Processed cheese slices
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Ground beef
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Montreal steak seasoning
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- American cheese
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Pickles
- Brioche slider buns
- Beef shaved steak
- Deli sliced white American cheese
- White sub rolls
- Worcestershire sauce
- Butter
- Thinly sliced yellow onion
- Thinly sliced tri-color bell peppers
- Minced garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- BBQ dry rub (optional)
- Garlic salt
- Box of protein pasta
- Evaporated milk
- Half an 8 oz. block of Velveeta 2%
- 4 oz. block of low-fat cream cheese
- American cheese
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- White American cheese
- Large diced jalapeño
- Diced sweet onion
- Diced small sweet tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Milk
- Penne pasta
- White American cheese (deli counter)
- Shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Diced, cooked small onion (optional)
- Chopped cooked bacon (optional)
- Diced onion
- Olive oil or chicken schmaltz
- Barilla protein elbows
- Broth
- Skim milk
- Non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- Fresh chopped spinach
- Diced tomatoes
- English cheddar cheese
- Goat cheese
- American cheese
- Cheddar cheese powder
- Enoki mushrooms
- Tofu
- Rice cakes
- Spam
- Sausages
- Fish cakes
- Kimchi
- Green onions
- Ramen
- American cheese (optional)
- Gochujang
- Korean chili flakes
- Chicken breast
- Spaghetti noodles
- Cream of chicken soup
- Heavy whipping cream
- Velveeta cheese
- Shredded medium cheddar cheese
- Korean rice cakes
- Carbonara Buldak
- Garlic
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Gochujang
- Water
- Oil
- Korean cheese corndog (optional)
- Mexican rice
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion, diced
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Velveeta cheese sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Taco seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Pasta
- Butter
- Half-and-half or whole milk
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Ground mustard
- MSG (Accent)
- Sodium citrate
- Turmeric or paprika (optional)
- Mild cheddar cheese (1/4 lb or about 1 cup shredded)
- American cheese, shredded or diced (about 3 slices)
- Whole milk
- Flour
- Salted butter
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Dill pickles
- Pickle juice
- Yellow mustard
- Bacon, crumbled
- Finely diced yellow onion
- Ground beef
- Salt
- Black pepper, divided
- Seasoning salt
- Refrigerated crescent dough
- Big block of Velveeta
- Cream cheese
- Rotel
- Bow tie noodles
- Large splash of milk
- White bread
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic and onion powder
- BBQ sauce
- Ham
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Banana pepper
- Sprinkle cheese
- American cheese
- Sifted flour
- Baking powder
- Paprika
- Egg
- Red pepper
- Crab meat
- Lobster meat
- Cajun seasoning
- Wide egg noodles
- Velveeta, cubed
- Smoked sausage dogs, diced
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Whole milk or half n’ half
- Grated American cheese
- Bologna, diced
- Shredded cheddar
- Spinach, shredded
- Egg roll/spring roll wrapper
- Oil for frying
- Mayo
- Radiatore noodles
- Kraft mac & cheese mix
- Tortilla
- Salsa
- Taco meat (optional)
- Medium saucepan of noodles
FAQ
- What are some popular recipes that use American cheese?
- Some popular recipes featuring American cheese include cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cheesy dips.
- Can I substitute white American cheese for yellow American cheese in recipes?
- Yes, you can substitute white American cheese for yellow American cheese in recipes. The primary difference is the color, and they typically have similar taste profiles.
- What type of American cheese is best for melting?
- Processed American cheese slices, like those from Kraft, are great for melting due to their smooth and creamy texture, making them ideal for recipes requiring gooey cheese.
- Is it possible to use American cheese in pasta dishes?
- Absolutely! American cheese can be used in pasta dishes, especially in creamy sauces for mac and cheese or as a cheesy topping for baked pasta.
- How can I store American cheese to keep it fresh?
- To keep American cheese fresh, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Tips
- Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time: To streamline the cooking process, chop all vegetables and measure out ingredients before starting the recipe. This will make the cooking experience smoother and reduce kitchen stress.
- Control the Heat: When cooking with cheese, it’s important to maintain a low to medium heat to prevent it from burning or becoming grainy. Stir often to ensure even melting and a smooth consistency.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika can enhance the flavor of American cheese dishes.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to get creative with your recipes by adding different proteins or vegetables. Ingredients like cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or roasted peppers can add depth and variety to your dish.
Equipment
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) – For recipes involving slow cooking, such as those shared by “Crock Pot Girl ?”.
- Mandoline Slicer – To thinly slice vegetables like onions and bell peppers as mentioned in Felicia Kohlhoff’s recipe.
- Cheese Grater – For grating various types of cheese mentioned across the recipes.
- Spice Grinder – To freshly grind spices if using whole spices.
- Rice Cooker – For preparing rice used in some of the recipes.
- Ramen Cooker – For preparing ramen noodles more conveniently.
- Non-stick Skillet – For cooking ingredients like eggs, ham, or cheese-based dishes.
- Deep Fryer – If you choose to deep fry certain components, like egg rolls mentioned by Minda.
- Digital Kitchen Scale – For accurate measurement of ingredients.
- Immersion Blender – Useful for creating smooth cheese sauces or soups.
