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

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The spice sneaks up on you in the best possible way, that gentle heat that makes you reach for your drink but keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • Tomato cuts through all that rich, melty cheese like a bright, acidic secret weapon nobody saw coming.
  • Thirteen minutes from start to finish means this happens on busy weeknights without calling takeout.
02 -
  • Medium heat is your friend here. Too hot and you burn the bread before the cheese melts. Too low and you're waiting forever for that crunch. Find the sweet spot.
  • Tomato thickness matters—go too thick and they slide out when you bite. Think coins, not wedges.
03 -
  • August is prime tomato season. Make this when tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes, and you'll understand why it's such a classic.
  • If your bread is stale, sprinkle a few drops of water on it before buttering. It steams in the pan and comes out softer inside.
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