Combine 2 Budget-Friendly Sandwiches Into One For A More Filling Meal

When you can't choose between two sandwiches, just combine them. You never know what wonder you might stumble upon. Take deviled ham and grilled cheese, for example. Individually, they're great. Together, they bring twice the flavors in each bite, and a fillingness that makes for quite a satisfying dinner.

You probably forgot about the old-school canned sandwich spread that is deviled ham, so here's a quick memory jolt: it's made of ham pulsed with mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and a few standard seasonings. The chunky, unctuous blend, of course, carries the ham's smoky savoriness, laced with the rich tang of the accompanying condiments and a "deviled" heat that subtly spikes the taste buds.

You can make deviled ham at home, or grab it from the store. From there, make it part of your grilled cheese sandwich by spreading it over the buttered bread, already topped with cheese, as you're cooking it in the pan. Repeat the rest of the steps from your usual grilled cheese sandwich recipe, and you're all set. Coming off the pan, this hybrid sandwich offers the best of both worlds — a grilled cheese's comforting warmth and deviled ham's savory, spicy depth. They arrive on your taste buds through melty and utterly tender bites, contrasted by the slightly crisp bread on the exterior.

The combination of melty cheese and deviled ham can work in more than the classic sandwich. A panini press will give you that delectable crisp and a toasty aroma that elevates this flavorful filling even more. On the contrary, serving the sandwich open-faced, almost like a breakfast toast, will give you an amazing start to the day. You might even like it on English muffins or French bread, where the cheese is layered over the spread of deviled ham and broiled to a golden-brown melt.

Whichever version you choose, there's always room for more in the filling department. A couple of fresh leafy greens, such as arugula, spinach, or watercress, are excellent for balancing out the heavy flavors. Considering how wonderful pickles are in regular grilled cheese, you can also count on them to make this version better. Different types of pickles offer unique flavor nuances, so have fun experimenting and reinventing your sandwich every time. If you just want to match the hidden earthy depth of the deviled ham, perhaps go for something like mushrooms.  

Since a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup are such a good pairing, consider extending the partnership to this one. Maybe even opt for a spicier or more savory version of the soup to play into the deviled ham's own taste profile, or look beyond tomato soup for a heartier grilled cheese pairing that matches the hybrid sandwich.