It’s been said that grilled cheese is the perfect comfort food. With cheesy flavor, golden-brown, toasty bread and ooey gooey texture, it holds the title for a reason. But how do you make the perfect food perfect every time? Is it the cheese choice? Cooking method? Flavor combinations? These six grilled cheese hacks make for the perfect melted sammy every time, whether it’s a quick snack or the main event.

1. Use Multiple Cheeses

Grilled cheese enthusiasts swear by the classic american sliced cheese for the best sandwich and with an even melt throughout the sandwich, it’s no wonder why. But have you ever done a mix of cheeses for optimal melt and flavor? You can go for a classic mix of sliced cheddar cheeses to keep it simple or upgrade your grilled cheese experience with italian flavors using a mix of mozzarella, grated parmesan and pecorino. By using multiple cheeses you can put a spin on your grilled cheese with added flavors and textures.

2. Use Mayo Instead of Butter

Hear us out. While we are obvious fans of buttery flavor, opting for mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter creates the perfect golden crust. Mayo is perfectly spreadable, so you don’t mare your bread when prepping for your sandwich and the higher smoke point prevents burning, especially if you’re sure to use medium heat and have patients.

3. Cook with Cast Iron

There are a lot of benefits to cooking with a cast iron pan, from even heat distribution to the added flavor that comes with a well-seasoned pan. For grilled cheeses, it makes this the optimal tool. The cast iron skillet is sure to create an even browning of your bread and maintains temperature to melt your cheese. The key is to start with a cold pan, allowing it to come to temperature slowly with the bread and cheese to promote optimal melt and browning.

4. Cook with a Waffle Iron

Easy? Check. Fun? Check. Great hack for kids? Double check. Making grilled cheese on the waffle iron is the perfect way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Preparing all of your ingredients like usual, grab your waffle iron, plug it in and get ready to grill your cheese. Place the prepared grilled cheese in the waffle iron and have the kids squeeze it closed to toast up both sides and melt the center evenly.

5. Add Secret Ingredients

Who says you only need cheese on a grilled cheese? This is by far our favorite grilled cheese hack. Whether we’re shoving mac n’ cheese between two slices of KING’S HAWAIIAN ® bread or adding the salty, savory flavor of chopped bacon, the world is full of possibilities. Make it gourmet with apples and brie or tropical with the addition of ham and pineapple on our sweet Hawaiian bread. Secret ingredients offer a mix n’ match vibe to your grilled cheese making.

6. Pair with Soup

There is something so natural and so right about grilled cheese and tomato soup. Whether you cut into triangles or create grilled cheese sticks for optimal dipping, pairing a classic grilled cheese with soup, preferably tomato, is the ultimate grilled cheese hack to take it from a sandwich to a meal.

Bonus: Grilled cheese sushi anyone?