Hungry for a nostalgic classic? This Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese is ooey-gooey golden-brown perfection.
Sometimes simple is best. And simple has never tasted better than this 3-ingredient sammy that will quickly become your favorite option for a vegetarian lunch.
So how can I back up the claim that something so simple can be so delicious? When it comes to grilled cheese, it’s all about technique.
When done right, grilled cheese is buttery and crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, with enough salty and slightly nutty flavor to knock your socks off.
As an environmental scientist, I am always trying to make eco-conscious food choices. One easy way to improve your ecological footprint is by finding ways to enjoy more meatless meals.
Green tip: Industrial meat production has a huge impact on the environment, especially because of the amount of land it takes to sustain and its high amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing your meat consumption is one great way to reduce your ecological footprint.
Havarti Grilled Cheese Ingredients
This delicious sandwich only requires three simple ingredients! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Sourdough. Or any other sandwich bread of your choice.
- Havarti. Such a great option for grilled cheese. It melts perfectly, has a buttery taste, and is mildly sweet which is the perfect contrast to the subtly sour taste of the sourdough bread.
- Butter. To get that crispy, buttery exterior on your bread. Elevate the flavor by using this Garlic Bread Spread or Pesto Butter in this recipe!
Why Havarti Cheese?
Havarti cheese is a great melting cheese for sandwiches, like in this Havarti grilled cheese, but also a delicious addition to a burger on the grill.
Havarti cheese melts easily and is a great option for adding on top of whatever you’re grilling. However, it is not like Halloumi cheese, where you can directly add it to the grill with it keeping its original shape.
In my humble opinion, Havarti cheese is the best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. Still, there are a number of other great options including: Cheddar, American, Gouda, Gruyere, and Muenster.
Havarti Grilled Cheese Tips and Tricks
Butter Your Bread
Add a generous amount! The butter will caramelize on the bread in the pan, giving you that golden brown that you want with any grilled cheese.
You only need to butter one side on each slice. The buttered side will touch the pan directly.
Say {Havarti Grilled} Cheese!
Once you’ve buttered one side of each slice of the bread, take one slice and flip it over, so the buttered side is down. We will be stacking our Havarti cheese slices on top of the side that is not buttered.
You can buy your cheese pre-sliced or you can buy a block, and cut it into thin slices.
Get Your Pan Hot
Before placing your sandwich on your pan, get the pan nice and hot over medium heat.
Place your pan on the stove over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to heat up before adding your sandwich.
Green tip: Look for organic and palm oil-free butter if you can. Buying organic means you are supporting farms that do not use damaging pesticides and fertilizers, and palm oil production is a huge driver behind deforestation.
Cover It Up
Use a pan fitted with a lid to trap the heat and get your Havarti super melty. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side covered. You’ll know it’s ready when both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted and oozing.
Serving this Easy Grilled Cheese Sandwich
There are plenty of yummy sides that work well with this sandwich. Here are some of my favorites:
- Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli
- Parmesan Truffle Fries
- Rainbow Orzo Salad
- Crisp Tuna Caesar
- Homemade Potato Chips
Green tip: Organic farms rely on biodiversity to generate rich soil, avoiding the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which means no toxic runoff. Consider organic ingredients for this sandwich.
Optional Add-In Ideas
This Havarti Grilled Cheese is delicious on it’s own, but if you’re feeling gourmet, here are some add-in ideas for you:
- Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
- Tomato
- Red Onion
- Fresh Arugula
- Fresh Spinach
- Avocado slices
- Tomato Jam
- Sliced Cucumber
- Microgreens
Why You Should Make this Havarti Grilled Cheese
- It’s melty. That Havarti is PERFECT for grilled cheese.
- That crispy crust. Just look at the golden-brown bread.
- It’s incredibly easy. Doesn’t get much easier than 3 simple ingredients and 10 minutes.
If you’re loving this Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese and want more cheesy lunch options, check out these Herbed Cheese Portobello Mushroom Wraps and Vegetarian Philly Cheesesteak.
3-Ingredient Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese
PIN Print RATEIngredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 slices Havarti cheese
Instructions
- Generously spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over so buttered side is facing down.
- Stack sliced cheese on the non-buttered side of bread.
- Add the second slice of bread to the top with the buttered side up.
- Get a frying pan fitted with a lid hot over medium heat, then place the sandwich in the center of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes covered over medium heat, until the bread is golden brown.
- Remove the lid, flip and replace the lid. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until both slices of bread are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Slice in half, and enjoy hot.
Pro Tips
- Want to elevate this sandwich? Substitute the butter with this Garlic Bread Spread or Pesto Butter!
- You can really use any bread with this grilled cheese and have a successful sandwich. Use your favorite!
- Salted butter will work in place of unsalted butter in a pinch.
