The No-Fail Grilled Cheese Formula That Wins Lunch Every Time

American cheese on white bread will forever remain a classic, but there's also something to be said for changing up your grilled cheese. (See: 10 Healthy Grilled Cheese Recipes That Will Make Your Mouth Water) Mix in sophisticated ingredients, vary your cheese, and give it a hit of the unexpected (harissa! honey!) for a thoroughly upgraded flavor bomb of a meal, says food blogger Tieghan Gerard (@halfbakedharvest), the author of Half Baked Harvest Cookbook. Try one of her creative twists here-or play around to invent your own. (BTW, here's what your love of grilled cheese means about your sex life.)

Start with the cheese. Choose one of your favorites, like:

• Cheddar
• Gruyère
• Mozzarella or burrata
• Goat cheese or feta
• Swiss
• Brie
• Havarti
• Fontina
• Muenster
• Blue or Gorgonzola

Next, layer on fruits or veggies:

• Freshly sliced figs, persimmons, pears, or apples
• Whole cranberries
• Jams, like blueberry or fig
• Roasted vegetables, like kale, zucchini, or peppers
• Greens, like spinach, arugula, or shredded brussels sprouts
• Caramelized onions
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Marinated artichokes or olives

Finally, add some crunchy texture or bold flavor:

• Slivered almonds
• Herbs, like thyme or sage
• Bacon or prosciutto
• Honey
• Spreads, like peanut butter, pesto, harissa, or tapenade

Five of Tieghan's melty mash-ups (pictured from top to bottom):