Appleton-Inspired Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese
A warm grilled cheese sandwich with sharp cheddar and thinly sliced apple, inspired by the family-friendly spirit of Appleton, WI. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs sourdough bread slices, sharp cheddar cheese, sliced, Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 sourdough bread slices
- 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Spread 1 tbsp unsalted butter evenly on one side of each of the 4 sourdough bread slices.
- Step 2: On the unbuttered side of 2 slices, spread 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard evenly.
- Step 3: Layer 3 oz sharp cheddar cheese slices evenly over the mustard on each slice, then arrange thin slices from 1 medium Granny Smith apple over the cheese.
- Step 4: Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.
- Step 5: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and place the sandwiches in the skillet.
- Step 6: Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice diagonally and serve warm.








