Make Grilled Cheese 10X More Flavorful And Filling When You Stuff It With This Hearty Stew

Grilled cheese is a timeless classic that's perfect even in its most basic form. It pairs well with everything from tomato soup to chicken noodle, but if you want to unlock the ultimate grilled cheese combo try chili, and not just on the side. Putting chili inside a grilled cheese sandwich is a pro move that will change the way you make grilled cheese from now on. 

A grilled chili cheese sandwich works on every level. Buttery bread is the ideal chaperone for rich, smoky chili and ooey-gooey cheese always plays well with this stew. It's a crispy, melty sandwich that is well worth the extra effort.

You can use leftover homemade chili or a can of your favorite store-bought chili. Start with a bread that can stand up to the extra weight of the chili, such as French bread or sourdough. You can use either shredded cheese or slices of cheese for this one. Cheddar is the standard chili costar, but American cheese and Monterey Jack are also great choices for grilled cheese.

You can build a grilled chili cheese sandwich a few different ways. If you're using shredded cheese, mix it directly into the chili, then spread the chili-cheese mixture on the bread. Or, you can layer sliced cheese on the bread before spooning the chili on top. 

Flipping a grilled chili cheese sandwich requires a bit of extra caution. Try not to overfill the sandwich with chili or be prepared to embrace the inevitable spillage. A panini press would also be a great way to prepare a grilled chili cheese sandwich (or any style of grilled sandwich).  

Serve the sandwich alongside a ramekin of sour cream for your dipping pleasure. To upgrade the meal even further, you can add sliced hot dogs to the chili mixture. Think of it as a chili cheese dog but in sandwich form instead of in a hot dog bun.