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Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions

Name: Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 50 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, softened; 1 large onion, sliced (about 2 cups); 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 8 slices sourdough bread; 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz); 1 1/2 cups finely shredded Parmesan cheese (6 oz)

4 Ratings

3 Reviews

Kitchen Tested

Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions

Prep 50 min
Total 50 min
Servings 4

We’re not being dramatic when we say this is probably the best grilled cheese sandwich on the face of the planet. Yes, there are rich balsamic-caramelized onions wedged between melty Cheddar on the inside, but it is what’s happening on the outside that’s truly revolutionary. Before hitting the pan, the bread is slathered in butter and doused in Parmesan cheese, then it’s grilled to crispy, crunchy perfection. Let’s just say there’s a reason we’ve given this sandwich the nickname Million Dollar Grilled Cheese.

By Tablespoon Kitchens

Updated June 27, 2019

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 large onion, sliced (about 2 cups)
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 slices sourdough bread
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups finely shredded Parmesan cheese (6 oz)

Steps

1

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions begin to brown. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown. Add balsamic vinegar, sugar and salt; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until onions are dark brown. Transfer onions to bowl; cool 10 minutes.
2

Spread 2 teaspoons butter on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of 4 bread slices, place 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese. Top each with 2 tablespoons caramelized onions and 1 slice remaining bread, buttered side out. Place Parmesan cheese in shallow dish; carefully press both the buttered sides of each sandwich into Parmesan cheese to make cheese stick to bread.
3

Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches; cook uncovered 4 to 5 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Carefully turn; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or until bottoms are golden brown and Cheddar cheese is melted.

Expert Tips

Make sure to splurge for the high-quality Parmesan cheese, as lower quality cheese won’t form as nice a crust on the outside of the sandwich. You can typically find the good stuff in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
There's a good reason to use yellow onions when making this dish. Sweet onions, like the Vidalia and Sweet Texas variety are great raw, but they don’t have as rich a flavor as yellow do when cooked.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Sandwich

Calories: 960

Calories from Fat: 490

Total Fat: 55g; 84%

Saturated Fat: 30g; 152%

Trans Fat: 1 1/2g

Cholesterol: 135mg; 44%

Sodium: 2020mg; 84%

Potassium: 300mg; 8%

Total Carbohydrate: 74g; 25%

Dietary Fiber: 3g; 13%

Sugars: 9g

Protein: 42g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 30%; 30%

Vitamin C: 2%; 2%

Calcium: 100%; 100%

Iron: 30%; 30%

Exchanges:

4 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1/2 Lean Meat; 3 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 4 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choice

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.