Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Grilled cheese sandwiches are such great comfort food, right? The warm, gooey cheese between two buttery, crispy slices of bread. Yummmmm… But sometimes it’s good to switch things up a little. Add a little protein to your grilled cheese sandwich with a slice or two of ham. Ham is the perfect way to add a little depth to a traditional grilled cheese sandwich. Check out our grilled cheese and ham sandwich recipe and dig in!
What kind of ham should you use for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich?
This is one of those times when deli meat is probably better than fresh ham. I prefer thinly sliced meats for my grilled cheese sandwich with ham, that way it doesn’t overwhelm the cheese.
Basic ham works well, but you could also try honey glazed ham, smoked ham, ham with spices like pepper or garlic. Or go with something a little different like Italian prosciutto or Spanish serrano ham, although I wouldn’t use cheddar cheese with these types of ham.
You can be really flexible here. What kinds of ham do you enjoy? The sky’s the limit, so experiment with whatever types of ham you have on hand.
What kind of cheese should you use for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich?
In my opinion, mild cheese go well with ham. Cheddar cheese might be the standard for grilled cheese sandwiches, and even with ham and cheese sandwiches, but it’s not my favorite. I actually prefer something like gouda or mozzarella cheese to go on a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
But again, you can experiment here. Swiss cheese could be nice with certain types of ham. If you’re using prosciutto or serrano ham, you might want to try Italian or Spanish cheese to go with the ham. Don’t worry, we have recipes for those kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches too!
For this recipe, I’m using gouda, but feel free to substitute with your favorite.
>>Or try the turkey and cheese grilled cheese sandwich recipe.
How to make a grilled ham and cheese sandwich
Heat your pan on medium and put a slice of butter in the pan to melt. You want the butter to be hot and completely melted and start to bubble a little before you put your sandwich in the pan.
While you’re waiting, assemble your sandwich. Place two thin slices of ham (or one slice if it’s a thicker cut) in between two slices of cheese on your choice of bread. I use sliced white gluten free bread and Andy usually makes his with normal white bread, but whole wheat or sourdough works well too.
Once you see those little bubbles in the butter, gently place your sandwich into the pan. Let it grill for 3 or 4 minutes before flipping.
It’s better to flip too early than too late. You can always flip your sandwich multiple times until the bread is the perfect crispy golden brown, but if you let it cook too long, you’ll end up burning your grilled cheese sandwich.
I typically cook my grilled ham and cheese sandwich for about 4 or 5 minutes on each side. This is usually long enough for the cheese to melt and hold the ham in place.
And that’s it! Most grilled cheese sandwiches are really simple to make, and this grilled ham and cheese sandwich recipe is no exception.
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

The Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich combines your favorite classic grilled cheese sandwich with a couple slices of ham for a little extra protein. You'll love the gooey melted cheese and your favorite deli ham.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 slices of gouda cheese (or cheese of your choice)
- 2 slices of thinly sliced ham
- butter
Instructions
- Heat the pan on medium.
- Add a slab of butter to the pan and let it melt completely.
- Assemble the two slices of ham between the two slices of cheese, and put it all between the two slices of bread.
- Once the butter is completely melted, coats the whole pan, and starts bubbling a little, put the sandwich into the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes on one side, checking to make sure it isn't burning.
- Once the first side is golden brown, flip and cook the other side. Add a sliver of butter to the pan if needed.
- When both sides are a crispy golden brown and the cheese is melty and holds the ham in place, your grilled ham and cheese sandwich is done and ready to eat.
Notes
Make this gluten free with your favorite gluten free bread.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 682Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 2085mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 48g
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by a third party app and should not be used in place of the advice of a professional nutritionist.