This Pear and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich is my current favorite recipe for fall lunch. Pears and sharp cheddar are just perfect together!
Lazy Lunches
Simple fall lunches—this is what I am in desperate need of right now. I've gotten bored of just about every single one of my go-to lunchtime options, so when noon rolls around, I find myself standing in front of the pantry, contemplating what I can do with lentils or jasmine rice.
And then I just give up and have a handful of potato chips and some olives. (This is the point where you mentally insert a sad trombone sound.)
Even though I blog about cooking, I really don't like making big elaborate lunches.
When I made pasta for myself two weeks ago, that was kind of a huge deal to me. I made pasta—for lunch!
So I've been seeking out some easy, seasonal lunch ideas and I just happened to find a good one on Panini Happy: Granola-Crusted Pear and Almond Butter Panini.
Being lazy about lunches, I didn't do the granola-crusting (and I know I'm missing out, I'm sure of it!), but the pear and almond butter on a sandwich was delicious!
Making the Pear Grilled Cheese
One of my favorite fall snacks is pear slices topped with a little bit of cheese, so I decided that this would make a good sandwich too.
And thus the Pear and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich was born!
Oh fine, I'm sure other people have done it before, but it's new to me. And it's one of my new favorite vegetarian sandwiches.
Since I'm forever counting calories, I used only an ounce of cheese on each sandwich so it's not one of those super gooey oozy grilled cheeses that get so much love on Pinterest.
But I'm okay with that. Y'all can put more cheese on the sandwich if that's how you do. 😉
More Recipes
If you love this Pear & Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwich, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:
- 21 Mind Blowing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Open-Faced Walnut Pear Sandwich
- 25+ Packable Vegetarian Lunch Ideas
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pear cored and sliced
- 2 oz sharp cheddar cheese thinly sliced or shredded (use 4 oz. for extra cheesy sandwiches)
- 1 tbsp butter softened
- 4 slices hearty bread I used Sprouted Wheat & Sunflower Seed
Instructions
- Heat a griddle or skillet on medium-high heat. Butter two slices of bread on one side; place buttered side down onto the skillet.
- Top bread with pear slices and cheese—put a little cheese on the bread first, then the pears, then the remaining cheese. Butter remaining bread slices and place them on top of the sandwiches, butter side up.
- Cook until bottom of sandwich is browned, 3-5 minutes. Flip over and cook 3-5 minutes more.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Mmm, this looks good! I'm not a big pear person on their own but I'm betting the cheese and bread will break up my texture issue with this. I can't wait until the 80+ degree days are gone so I can firmly settle into full Fall frenzy. (Still didn't stop me from making chili yesterday!)
Kiersten says
Yesterday was in the 80s and it completely felt like fall to me. At least in comparison with the temperatures we've been having lately!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I can absolutely see how those two flavors would work deliciously together. I MUST try this!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Lovely! Much better than eating in the pantry with potato chips. Although, there is something appealing about that too. 😉
Kiersten says
It brings back memories of college, so there's that!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I've been on a cheddar and apple kick recently, so I love this slight switch up!
Sheri says
That looks so good!
TastefullyJulie says
Looks awesome! I used to do this with Apple slices and Edam but this looks better 🙂
Kiersten says
I have apples & cheese constantly in the fall. I am so glad local apples are in season again!
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
Ironically, I've never tried the cheddar and pear combo before and they are two of my favorites.
Jeanette says
I've never tried pear and cheddar in a sandwich before - on my list to try as soon as I get my hands on some pears.
Lori says
I never thought of combining pear and cheese in a grilled sandwich. It looks so good!
Carolyn says
One of the best panini I ever had was brie and green apple, so I can imagine that cheddar and pear would be awesome!
gem says
I never thought about using pear and cheddar together - I would even it them together without the bread =).
Mary Beth Elderton says
This may become my new favorite grilled cheese!
Russell at Chasing Delicious says
Ooh, ooh, ooh! First, I see what kind of cheese that is and it's one of my favs! And Yum x 10. I am loving this recipe.
Brenda Williams says
Good combo...love the looks of this sandwich.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Pear and sharp Cheddar...my mouth is watering.
I need one now!
Genevieve says
I never make elaborate lunches either - if I'm at home for lunch then I usually want something that comes together quickly before I get too hungry!
I've made pear and brie grilled cheese sandwiches before and loved the combination. I never would have thought of using cheddar, but I guess if apple and cheddar work together well, then pear should too!
Kiersten says
I have pears and cheddar as a snack all the time. The first time I had them together was at a cheese store, and then I was hooked. 🙂
Jennifer says
this is definitely a combo I wouldn't have thought of but it looks so yummy!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I love pear in sandwiches! Esp with a little bit of honey. And is that a beer with it? Even better! 🙂
Kiersten says
YES! I won't let Chris drink that bottle because I keep using it in my photos--ha! I think it may be time to retire it though because people are start to recognize it. 🙂
Tina @ More Please Recipes says
This sandwich looks delish! Any chance you'd be interested in giving us the recipe for what looks like homemade potato chips? Are they? These are one of my absolute favorite snacks too!
Kiersten says
It's pretty much the same recipe as my Sriracha Potato Chips, except instead of mixing the oil with sriracha, I sprinkled the chips with chipotle-flavored salt. Oh, and I totally overcooked them. But I wouldn't recommend that. 🙂
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
I have never tried pear and cheese together but this sounds like it really might work! This just screams fall and looks like a hearty sandwich for lunch!
Shirley says
I'm letting a grilled cheese brown in the pan as I type this, scouring my cupboards and fridge for a snack. Sure wish I had some pears to throw on, so I'll have to pick some up soon. LOL about the sandwiches that get love on Pinterest.
Kiersten says
I swear some of those sandwiches on Pinterest are more cheese than bread! It's a little too much for me. 🙂
BusyWorkingMama says
Yum! I have a very ripe pear that would be perfect in this sandwich. I bet the pear goes well with a sharp cheddar.
Kiersten says
I love sharp cheddar with apples and pears--that is my go-to fall snack!
Kathy - Panini Happy says
Definitely give that granola crust a try sometime - it's amazing! Love the thought of pears and sharp cheddar together. 🙂
Kiersten says
I definitely will! I need to get more almond butter now, but once I do, that panini will be back in my lunchtime rotation. 🙂
Lisa | With Style and Grace says
I've sure had my share of grilled cheeses with this pregnancy, but never thought to spice it up with pear, which sounds delicious!
Kaylie @ Skinny Muffin says
Hi! I just found your blog and LOVE your recipes! Can't wait to make this!
Kiersten says
I hope you like it if you make it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂