3-Ingredient Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese

Hungry for a nostalgic classic? This Crispy Havarti Grilled Cheese is ooey-gooey golden-brown perfection.

As a busy mom (who doesn’t want to settle for boring food), I live by the rule that 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.

And if you’re looking for grilled cheese with more complex flavors, check out my super popular Brie & Apple Grilled Cheese (hint: you can sub Havarti for Brie in that recipe!).

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.

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

This sandwich is tasty as is, but if you want something to dip it in, I highly recommend this Marinara Dipping Sauce.

There are plenty of yummy sides that work well with this sandwich. Here are as couple of my favorites:

• Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli
• Crisp Tuna Caesar Salad

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