The Italian Meat That Makes Grilled Cheese Filling And Flavorful

A grilled cheese sandwich is all about that cheesy warmth that melts like a dream on your taste buds. What it often lacks is a bit of savory depth — something that cuts right through the rich base and adds an extra layer of flavor to each bite. To remedy this, you only need prosciutto. Maybe you never considered it before, but this Italian dry-cured ham can be your secret to a much better grilled cheese sandwich.

Pork-forward savory with a mildly sweet undertone, you couldn't ask for a better addition to the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich than prosciutto. This cured ham also comes with a saltiness that complements the cheese's own tangy taste, with nutty nuances that give this simple meal an unexpected complexity. As a filling, it melds right in with the stretchy cheese and tender-crisp bread, adding to a luscious mouthfeel that has each bite on the brink of decadence.

It certainly helps that this addition barely changes your grilled cheese sandwich routine. It's as simple as layering the ham over the buttered and cheesed bread slice when pan cooking. Alternatively, you can wrap the entire sandwich (along with all of its filling) in prosciutto before it hits the pan. Give it a press in the panini, and you've got a crispy, slightly charred grilled cheese sandwich encased in savory goodness.

In your grilled cheese sandwich, prosciutto gets better with the right company. Starting with the cheese, you really can't beat mild, creamy varieties like Brie, ricotta, or Gruyere, which will elevate this cured meat's delicate taste rather than overpower it. You can even combine all three in one go. Then, bring in a few vegetables to diversify the taste profile even more with earthy flavors.

This may be a few slices of tomatoes or your favorite leafy greens — maybe even opt for common Italian herbs such as basil and oregano. In fact, with all of these ingredients already in tow, just swap out the typical white bread for a loaf of hoagie, and you have just created an Italian sub and grilled cheese mash-up. Keeping it in a constant spin of excitement, consider other Italian staples, such as balsamic vinegar, olive oil, or perhaps even other cured meats like pepperoni or salami.

Although seemingly unconventional, you can also add a little sweetness to the dish by bringing in your favorite fruits. In Italian cuisine, fruits and prosciutto are incredibly good friends, with the fruits' vibrant sweetness balancing out this dry-cured meat's salty richness. Consider trying out some of the more unique topping combos for a salty-sweet grilled cheese sandwich by pairing prosciutto with nectarine, pineapple, fig, or plums. With winter just around the corner, a blackberry grilled cheese with prosciutto and sage is a go-to lunch that guarantees gorgeous flavors every time.