Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Red Pepper Flakes and Honey

Rich, creamy, sweet, and lightly spicy

This Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Red Pepper Flakes and Honey is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich -- or cheese toastie if you prefer. Perfectly meltable and lightly tangy Taleggio cheese and sharp and salty Parmigiano Reggiano cheese get dressed with a sprinkle of spicy red pepper flakes and a drizzle of honey, then sandwich between two slices of buttered artisanal sourdough bread. A hot cast-iron skillet ensures that the butter browns and crisps the bread to perfection so you end up with a perfectly meltable grilled cheese sandwich that yields a rich, creamy, sweet, and lightly spicy flavor profile.

What ingredients do you need to make this grilled cheese sandwich?

• Sourdough bread - I prefer to use slices from the really big artisanal boules, which will give you slices up to 8" long! The sourdough flavor plays well with the light tanginess and fruit flavor profile of the Taleggio cheese, but feel free to swap in your preferred bread instead.
• Butter - This will help your grilled cheese sandwich get a nice crispy brown exterior. I prefer the flavor and brown-ability of softened unsalted butter, but if you prefer a swipe of mayo instead that works too.
• Taleggio cheese - A semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a washed rind and a mild, slightly tangy and fruity flavor. Taleggio cheese melts really well, which is why I love it for grilled cheese sandwiches as well as pizza. For a large 8" sandwich you'll need 3-4 oz of Taleggio cheese, depending on whether you want a cheesy sandwich or a VERY cheesy sandwich.
• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese - An Italian hard, granular cow's milk cheese with a complex flavor that is sharp, savory, fruity, nutty, and salty. You'll need about ½ oz of Parmigiano Reggiano for a large 8" sandwich.
• Red pepper flakes - Provide a bite of heat to balance the rich creaminess of the cheese and the sweetness of the honey. I like a very generous sprinkle on my grilled cheese, but the amount you use is flexible.
• Honey - The sweetness of honey balances out the spice from the red pepper flakes and cuts through the rich creaminess of the cheese. I prefer to use raw clover honey for my grilled cheese as it has a fairly mellow sweet flavor that won't dominate the sandwich. You will need approximately 1 tablespoon honey for a large 8" sandwich.

What cheese can I use to substitute for Taleggio cheese?

If you are unable to source Taleggio cheese, the following cheese options make good substitutes:

• Fontina - An semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a meltable texture similar to Taleggio and a lightly nutty and buttery flavor.
• Brie - A soft French cow's milk cheese that is incredibly meltable with a mild and buttery flavor
• Gruyère - A hard swiss cheese that melts decently and has a lovely rich, creamy, salty, and nutty flavor.
• Havarti - A semi-soft Danish cow's milk cheese that melts well and with a strong buttery and slightly acidic flavor.

What to serve this Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with

• Chunky Tomato Basil Soup
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
• French Lentil Soup
• Couscous Summer Salad

What tools do I need to make this recipe?

• A cutting board
• A chef's knife
• A butter knife
• A zester or fine cheese grater
• A kitchen scale
• Measuring spoons
• A cast-iron skillet
• A metal spatula/turner

Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

Looking for more dinner inspiration?

Love this Taleggio Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Red Pepper Flakes and Honey? Here are some more of my favorite dinner recipes that include Taleggio cheese or also have a sweet & spicy flavor combination:

• Truffled Potato Pizza with Ricotta and Taleggio
• Peach, Corn, and Jalapeno Pizza with Honey
• White Pizza with Hot Pickled Peppers and Honey
• Chili Lime Watermelon with Labneh and Honey
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey Sriracha Sauce

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