The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese, also known as the Adult Grilled Cheese Sandwich, is perfect for a Game Day Party. Pre-assemble the day before and slide into the oven to crisp up and melt. This gooey cheese sandwich stands out with a spicy & sweet cream cheese spread made from banana peppers.

Featuring, Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce
Miller’s award-winning Banana Pepper Sauce, made with vine-ripened peppers picked at the peak of freshness to create a sweet and spicy sauce with superior flavor. It's the perfect complement to everything from cheese and pretzels to burgers and barbecue.
I'm using the HOTTEST one,... since we're all adults here. The Habanero variety, features a blend of banana peppers and fiery habanero chilies.
Pure Ingredients: Distilled Vinegar, Raw Sugar, Fresh Peppers, Water, Mustard Seed, Cornstarch, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, Vitamin C (To Preserve Freshness), Paprika Extract.
Construction of the Adult Grilled Cheese:
- The Bread
- THE SPREAD with Miller's Banana Pepper Habanero Sauce
- Filling-The Cheese, Meat, and Extras
- My Best Game Day Party Tip*
Ingredients
The Bread
A firm hearty bakery loaf like Sourdough Bread or White Bistro Bread. We need the bread to hold crisp with the gooey goodness of cheese and sauce.
1. First, cut the bread in half. We are pre-making a large tray of sandwiches for our Game Day get-together.
2. Make "The Spread"
I call it THE SPREAD because it is versatile and tastes delicious on many types of sandwiches. This sauce makes cream cheese Sweet, Spicy, Creamy, and Tangy. I bet a spoonful of this sauce will elevate my Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread for bagels. You can even dip crackers or veggies into it. Just two ingredients for THE SPREAD!
3. Cheese, Meat, and Other Fillings
I believe that if you add too many ingredients to a "Grilled Cheese", it's not exactly a grilled cheese sandwich anymore. It's just an exciting sandwich. I wanted to keep the additions to a minimum so that the Banana Pepper Cheese Spread and cheeses are still the star of this sandwich.
VARIATIONS- Lot's of Choices for you to design your sandwiches
- Different Types of Cheese: White Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Havarti, Fontina Cheese, even Blue Cheese!
- Other deli meats: Let's not get carried away with the meat. It's optional, but a thin slice of salami or smoked crispy bacon would really hit the spot.
- Extras: How about a nice vine ripened tomato slice to go with this vine-ripened sauce?
4. Assemble The Sandwich
Brush outside of bread with softened butter.
- Spread Miller's Cream Cheese Spread Mixture on insides of bread.
- Layer: Onion, Mozzarella Cheese, Ham, Smoked Gouda Cheese.
Then & Now: Game Day Planning
In my early days of hosting sports parties, I'd get everything ready in the morning and by the time we gathered, everything would be sitting out ready to eat.
By halftime, the queso had turned goopy and sandwiches were soggy. Pizza was gone.
Important Tip* The one thing that can make your game day extra special is to schedule your food serving times.
A continuous flow of new, hot, and fresh food throughout the game is the goal. I pre-assembled the cheese toastie sandwiches this morning and covered them with foil. Then, into the fridge.
Another option, You can also griddle the bread, assemble, wrap individually in foil, and then bake to melt the cheese just before serving. Bring the foil bundles out on a big tray and everyone can eat right from the foil wrapper.
I only have to slip out at halftime and slide these in the oven for 15 minutes. Cheesy and flavorful oven-baked grilled cheese sandwiches to keep the heat alive and momentum going!
Want to try Miller's Banana Pepper Sauces? Find it at Whole Foods, Wegmans or order on Amazon with this link: Purchase Miller's. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
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Adult Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 -1 lb. loaf sliced Sourdough loaf 10 slices
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 -8 oz. pkg. Less-Fat Cream Cheese (Neufchatel Cheese)
- ½ cup Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce, Habanero
- 1 small red onion, peeled and (thinly sliced)
- 10 slices smoked gouda cheese (thin sliced)
- 10 half slices smoked black forest ham (thin sliced)
- 10 slices mozzarella cheese (deli sliced)
Instructions
- Cut bread in half to make half-sized handheld sandwiches.
- Butter the outsides of the bread and arrange on a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, with a fork, stir together cream cheese and Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce until creamy.
- Spread mixture in a thin layer on the insides of each bread slice.
- Layer the onion slices, gouda, ham, and then mozzarella on inside of sandwich.
- Replace top to make sandwich. Cover and chill until ready to bake.
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425 degrees, and bake uncovered until bread is toasty brown and cheese is melted. Griddle or Skillet Method: Preheat griddle to 325 degrees or Medium Heat. Cook on both sides until golden.Air Fryer Method: Place Sandwiches in tray and heat on 400 until cheese melts and bread is toasty.
KT says
I can’t wait to try the spread. Looks hot! 🔥