Thank you Tillamook for sponsoring this post. For a limited time this fall, try Tillamook’s Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices! Available at Costco.
This easy jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich combines that amazing jalapeno popper flavor with bacon and sharp white cheddar for one irresistible gourmet grilled cheese!
What is it about jalapeno poppers that make those little peppery bundles of goodness so good? Perhaps it’s the hot, creamy filling. Or maybe the hint of bacon (if you’re not vegetarian).
Or maybe it’s that combination of creamy and spicy.
Whatever the reason, stuffed jalapenos are one of my favorite appetizers, which is why I am so completely in love with this easy jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich.
While most jalapeno grilled cheese sandwich recipes call for fresh jalapeno peppers, I love shortcuts. I don’t know about you, but I rarely think far enough ahead to buy fresh jalapeno peppers let alone roast them.
This recipe for jalapeno grilled cheese calls for canned diced jalapenos;something I always have on hand—along with the cream cheese, sour cream, bacon pieces (another shortcut!), sharp white cheddar cheese, and green onions.
Of course, if you don’t have green onions on hand, you can totally make this jalapeno grilled cheese without them!
Another tweak that makes this jalapeno grilled cheese easier AND tastier than other recipes is the cheese. This recipe doesn’t settle for your typical shredded cheese or cheddar slices; it’s way too good for that!
Drumroll for the secret ingredient, please…
Introducing, for the first time EVER, Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices—quite possibly the tastiest sharp white cheddar cheese I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.
Made with only three simple ingredients and naturally aged for 15 months (it’s how they achieve that tangy perfection), Tillamook’s creamy yet robust Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices are the perfect addition to jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches.
When you’re not making these easy jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches, you can put those Tillamook slices on these easy slow cooker buffalo ranch chicken sliders, French dip sliders, or in this meatball marinara grilled cheese.
You could also cut Tillamook slices into quarters and make it part of your holiday cheese platter. Or eat them plain, which is my favorite thing to do.
Tillamook’s Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices are available for only a limited time this fall. Head to your local Costco ASAP for your two-pound package of bold sharp white cheddar flavor and then get makin’ these jalapeño grilled cheese sandwiches!
Easy Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This easy jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich combines that amazing jalapeno popper flavor with bacon and sharp white cheddar for one irresistible gourmet grilled cheese!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 T low-fat sour cream
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 4 T canned diced jalapenos, drained and patted dry (about half a 4-oz can)
- 4 T real bacon pieces (or cooked, diced bacon)
- 4 slices Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar
- 8 slices bread
- Butter
Instructions
- Preheat non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, green onions, diced jalapenos, and bacon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Place bread slices on a cutting board or parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of butter on top of each slice. Gently flip four slices over and spread with 2 heaping tablespoons of cream cheese mixture.
- Layer ingredients in pan in following order: one slice plain bread (butter side down), one slice cheese, one slice bread with cream cheese mixture (butter side up). Cook until golden brown; flip and cook on second side until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
FOLLOW HALF-SCRATCHED ON INSTAGRAM (@half_scratched) and share the recipes you're whipping up in the kitchen. Don't forget the #HALFSCRATCHED hashtag so we can see what you've made!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 528Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1151mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 19g
Kimberly
That is totally my kind of grilled cheese sandwich!
Emily Hill
I couldn’t believe how easy and good it was!
Aimee
This is my favorite cheese. I love this perfect grilled cheese sandwich :)
Emily Hill
It adds the right amount of bite to the sandwich!
Allyson
I love jalapeño popper everything so I definitely need to try the sandwich!
Emily Hill
It just might be my new favorite grilled cheese!
Claudia
wow this looks super delicious I am sure to love this grilled cheese with some spice in as a nice change
Emily Hill
The bit of kick is definitely a nice change from standard grilled cheese.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
What a great idea to put those jalapenos into the grilled cheese. I love it and I know my kids would love it too!
Emily Hill
All that creaminess helps offset any of the heat from the jalapenos so it’s not nearly as spicy as straight jalapeno peppers. :)
Rachael Yerkes
Oh my gosh, this is like my husband’s dream sandwich. And it is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Yum.
Emily Hill
My husband totally loved it!
Stacie
Oh wow! This sounds fantastic! I’m vegetarian so I would skip the bacon for me and add it for the rest of the family. It’s perfect for the cold rainy weather we’re having in Texas.
Emily Hill
My daughter is vegetarian so I’d totally leave out bacon for some of the mix. It would still be yummy!
Krissy
Your sandwich combines two of my favorites: jalapeno and Tillamook sharp cheddar – its the best!
Emily Hill
I couldn’t believe how creamy and cheesy it was!
Lauren
Yep. Now I MUST make this because I am most definitely addicted to all things jalapeno popper! Ha! This does sound amazing!
Emily Hill
Once you make these, you’ll never want plain ol’ grilled cheese again!
Caitlyn
WOW! Looks like the perfect grilled cheese to me!
Emily Hill
It kind of tastes like the perfect grilled cheese too!
Juliana Williams
Delicious! I added some slices of rotisserie chicken from grocer (they make a honey jalepeño flavor that matched perfectly), and this was a filling meal! Yummm
Emily Hill
Oh my gosh! That sounds so dang good!
Adriana
Yummy! Made on sourdough bread and was so good. Hubby liked it too. From now on I will make with fat free cream cheese and low fat cheeses to see if just as good.
Emily Hill
I bet it will be just as yummy. I think I’ll try that too!