Few sights are as mesmerizing as a gooey bridge of cheddar stretching between two halves of warm griddled bread. Indeed, the humble grilled cheese taught us early on that the best things in life are the simplest things — and that dunking every inch of cheesy, buttery sandwich in creamy tomato soup is tantamount to pleasure. “So why mess with a good thing,” you ask? Because adding bacon, heirloom tomatoes or tender greens can only enhance a grilled cheese experience. With a few creative ingredients, you can elevate the classic sandwich from childhood favorite to a comforting and satisfying main. These mouthwatering recipes prove our point.

Grilled Cheddar Cheese Sandwich

Many people will agree that firm yellow cheddar is most irresistible when melted and oozing out from between two slices of toasted bread. Melissa d’Arabian’s classic grilled cheese is sure to deliver plenty of melted goodness — and a taste of childhood nostalgia, too.

Grilled Tomato and Cheese

Dunking grilled cheese in tomato soup is classic, but this sandwich has thick slices of heirloom tomato grilled right in with the American cheese. Brushing the bread with cultured butter, one made with fermented cream, will add depth and a touch of sweet and tangy richness.

Smoked Gouda and Roasted Red Pepper Grilled Cheese

Smoked gouda, while having a wonderful and inimitable flavor, has trouble achieving that gooey, iconic cheesy stretch that makes grilled cheese sandwiches so pleasing. By adding a partner cheese with a less assertive flavor and higher melting property, like deli muenster, you can achieve both melting and flavor perfection.

Mozzarella in Carrozza

Get ready for Giada’s ultimate Italian grilled cheese sandwich. Mozzarella cheese and fresh basil are layered between two slices of whole-wheat bread, dipped in beaten eggs and fried to perfection in olive oil. Served with pesto, they are deliciously rich finger food.

Double-Decker Truffled Grilled Cheese

This sandwich combines sweet, spicy and salty, all between two slices of bread. Brie cheese melts atop fresh, sweet figs and combines with flavors from the truffle oil and spicy Monterey Jack cheese for a bite that will satisfy all of your comfort food cravings.

Roasted Poblano and Mushroom Grilled Cheese

Roasted poblanos and melted cheese are the foundation of Mexican chile relleno. This recipe combines elements of that classic dish with the ease of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Grilled Cheese with Apple and Bacon

Tyler Florence ups the ante by adding crisp bacon to his grilled cheddar-and-apple sandwiches, but not before he spreads the bread with tangy Dijon mustard. The combination of these five ingredients creates a perfectly balanced bite that’s equal parts sweet, salty, spicy and savory.

Bacon, Egg and Maple Grilled Cheese

Unable to decide between breakfast and lunch? This sweet and smoky sandwich satisfies both cravings. To speed the process, heat and cook using two skillets at the same time.