What makes the best cheese for our grilled cheese game? First, say goodbye to the wanna-be grilled cheese cheeses like rock-hard Parmesan, aged cheddar or Pecrino – those won't melt, darling. I personally don't think grilled cheese is where you want to get fancy, so the #1 Grilled Cheese Best Cheese is:

• American cheese! YES, American is first on this list, and yeah, I’m calling it cheese, and it’s the meltiest there ever was or will be. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t love this cheese on everything, but if I want a burger or an egg sandwich or looking for the best cheese for grilled cheese, look no further! I’ll be melting American all over it.

• Other cheeses that make the list of “Grilled Cheese Best Cheeses” are young cheddar, Swiss-style cheeses like Gruyère, or its French counterpart, Comté. I even like Mozzarella or French cheeses like Taleggio or Brie – because these are all great melters, and that’s really the key.

But hey, if you're into the flavor of the non-melters, treat them like an add-on. Sprinkle them in with a melter and go crazy with your flavor combinations! Pair a goat cheese with mozzarella or a Parmesan and Gruyere duo for a rebelliously fine sandwich. It's all about the "best cheese grilled cheese" life – because we have not time for mediocrity in this life!

Turn your grilled cheese into croutons!

Now about this for a fun idea? – grilled cheese croutons. I actually learned this one from Ina Garten so it's got a lot of street cred. These bite-sized nuggets of cheesy perfection are a celebration of comfort food meeting a little bit of sophistication. Picture this: golden-brown cubes of bread, generously coated in butter and a medley of melted (you guessed it, American) cheese that dance on your taste buds. Add them to a crisp salad, your perfect bowl of tomato soup, and each crouton brings a symphony of textures and flavors – a crunchy exterior giving way to a gooey, melted core. Grilled cheese croutons aren't just a topping; they're a culinary masterpiece, transforming an ordinary soup or salad into a gourmet experience that will have you rethinking life altogether.