Enjoy These Panini and Grilled Sandwich Recipes Any Time of the Day
Indulge in all kinds of warm and toasty variations on grilled sandwiches, like grilled vegetable paninis, Reubens, croque monsieurs, and more.
Your skillet and grill aren't just for making delicious meals with steaks, fish, and tender vegetables. These cooking essentials are perfect for making tasty sandwiches and paninis, too. While everything from grilled cheeses to vegetable paninis could be considered lunchtime favorites, we think these grilled sandwiches and paninis are just right for an elevated meal any time of day.
Take our Pressed Ham and Pear Sandwiches, pictured here, for example. The salty and sweet delight comes together with one pear, ideally an Anjou or Bosc, thinly-sliced deli ham, and a couple of pieces of rustic bread fresh off a skillet. The ham and pear are complemented in this dish by melted Gruyère cheese for perfect the finishing touch. There are plenty more grilled sandwiches to choose from, like our Grilled Gruyère Sandwich with Onion Jam, which you can piece together by layering onion jam or chutney and Gruyère cheese on rye bread before toasting to gooey perfection.
We also have other types of sandwiches that can satisfy any craving. Try the Rachel Sandwich, which is our rendition of a Reuben. Our unique recipe switches out corned beef for roast turkey breast for unexpectedly delicious results. If you're looking for a vegetarian option for mealtime, consider the Grilled-Vegetable Panini. Not only is it filled with grilled red peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash for a sweet and smoky flavor, but it (along with every sandwich and panini recipe) is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite soup or salad.
Here, find the rest of our favorite panini and grilled sandwich recipes to make for your next meal.
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Easy Italian Grilled Sandwiches
Make this muffuletta-inspired pressed sandwich by wrapping it in foil and putting it under a heavy skillet for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. You can complete this dinner table mainstay by toasting in on the grill to melt the cheese before serving it to your family.
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Grilled Gruyère Sandwich with Onion Jam
Want to switch up your grilled cheese recipe? Try this elevated version with nutty Gruyère complemented by piquant Dijon mustard and sweet onion jam.
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Grilled Ham-and-Broccoli-Rabe Sandwiches
An old-school grilled ham and cheese is transformed in this recipe. We add in broccoli rabe, fig jam, and Dijon mustard for a completely new, even more tasty sandwich.
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Grilled Cheese with Bacon, Apple, and Sprouts
Satisfy a grilled-cheese-and-bacon sandwich craving with this instant favorite filled with slices of crisp apple and fresh-tasting sprouts.
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Grilled Summer Squash Tartines
This tartine (also known as an open-faced sandwich) features summer squash, fresh red chiles, and tangy mostarda (a sweet yet spicy Northern Italian condiment) for a colorful and flavorful meal or snack.
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Mozzarella and Ham Panini
Shaved deli ham, baby spinach, and double layers of fresh mozzarella on a loaf of Italian bread make a satisfying sandwich for four. No need for a panini press: This is toasted in the oven between two baking sheets.
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Monte Cristo Sandwich
To make this American classic, dip ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches in egg batter and pan-fry them. Dust the hot sandwiches with confectioners' sugar and serve with strawberry jam on the side if you like.
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Test Kitchen's Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Want to make our test kitchen team's favorite grilled cheese sandwich? A layer of butter (which provides a richness) and mayonnaise (which creates a crisp, golden-brown crust) on the outside of the bread is their secret.
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The Rachel Sandwich
Turn a Reuben into a Rachel by switching out the corned beef for roast turkey breast. Layer with Swiss cheese, creamy coleslaw, and Russian dressing on sourdough bread and brown the sandwich on a hot griddle.
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Patty Melt with Pickled Onion Salad
This diner recipe begins with pan-fried ground chuck burgers seasoned with ketchup and grated red onion. Tuck the burgers between slices of white or rye bread along with grated cheddar cheese, and toast in a skillet until golden brown.
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Pressed Mozzarella Sandwiches
Store-bought pesto, tapenade, and roasted red peppers are a quick and easy way to dress up a grilled cheese sandwich. The creamy fresh mozzarella melts beautifully.
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Rustic Croque Monsieur
For this favorite French sandwich, grill ham and Gruyère cheese between slices of rustic bread. Then spread Gruyère-Parmesan cheese sauce over each sandwich and brown under the broiler before serving.
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Turkey Reuben
Sliced turkey replaces the usual corned beef in this lightened-up Reuben sandwich. The homemade Russian dressing—made with mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce—adds the finishing touch.
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Grilled-Vegetable Panini
Grilled red peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash give sweet and smoky flavor to these vegetarian sandwiches. If you don't have a panini press, heat these in a cast-iron skillet with another heavy skillet on top.
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Cuban Sandwiches
Roast pork plus ham and Swiss cheese and pickles, there's good reason why the Cuban sandwich is so popular. Our recipe uses one baguette and feeds four but you can easily scale it up to feed a crowd; use a whole pork roast and four baguettes for 16 servings.