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Want to include this epic sandwich in a lunch box? Learn how so the bread stays crispy until lunch.
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Kids like ham and cheese sandwiches, but they love grilled ham and cheese. The buttery, crispy bread makes the difference and takes school lunch to the next level. And it couldn’t be any easier!
When you need a school lunch idea that comes together fast and fills bellies without sacrificing tastiness, this grilled ham and cheese comes to the rescue and makes the lunchbox appealing!
You just need to follow my tips below to pack it properly, and this classic sandwich packed with protein will always be a hit!
What you need
Four ingredients and that’s all! You have a delicious lunch ready to go. This grilled sandwich includes:
- Sandwich bread: a thick one, like Italian or rustic bread, or you can even make a whole wheat grilled cheese.
- Butter: for grilling.
- Cheese: I use Cheddar. Gouda, Provolone, and Swiss are also great choices.
- Ham: your favorite deli ham.
- Optional Add-ons: Elevate this classic by adding some veggies like spinach and tomatoes or bacon to your grilled sandwich.
How to Pack Grilled Ham and Cheese for School
This school lunch idea is super easy to make and it’s always a winner. Follow these steps for a perfectly crunchy grilled ham and cheese:
- Make the sandwich
Over a flat surface, you butter one side of each bread slice, and then you add cheese on each unbuttered side. Add ham and close the sandwich. Make sure the buttered sides are facing out. - Grill
On a non-stick skillet greased with butter, you grill each sandwich for about 2 to 3 minutes until it's golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. - Flip
Now, you flip the sandwich and grill on the other side for an additional minute or 2 until it's golden and crispy and the cheese is melted. - Pack it for lunch
If you are not going to serve this grilled ham and cheese immediately, wait for it to cool down to room temperature and then pack it inside the lunchbox. Add veggies, fruits, and your favorite lunch sides in a separate compartment to keep the sandwich dry.
More tips for packing grilled sandwiches for lunch
Follow these pro hacks to pack this grilled sandwich properly and it will stay neat and crunchy until lunchtime:
Pack it separated
If you pack this grilled ham and cheese with fruits, veggies, and other sides, keep the sandwich separate from these wet ingredients, for the sake of crispiness.
Allow it to cool down
We want the most crispy grilled cheese, right? Then allow it to cool down before placing it in the lunchbox. Otherwise, the steam will make the bread get soggy.
Use a firm lunchbox
The best way to pack this lunch is using a sturdy sandwich-size container that can hold the sandwich so it doesn’t fall apart in the lunch bag. Here you can check my lunchbox top picks.
Make it a meal
For a balanced lunch, pack this grilled cheese with grapes, berries, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, carrots, olives, or a healthy dessert. Just remember to pack it separately from the sandwich.
Grilled Ham and Cheese
Watch How It’s Packed:
Ingredients
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 1 tablespoon butter, for grilling
- 4 slices Cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces deli ham
Instructions
Make the sandwich:
- Place the sliced bread on a flat surface. Butter one side of each slice, flip over. Place a slice of cheese on each unbuttered side. Layer the ham slices onto 2 slices. Assemble the sandwiches, making sure the buttered sides are facing out.
Grill:
- Grease a medium non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat. One at a time, grill each sandwich for about 2 to 3 minutes until it's golden and the cheese has begun to melt on that side. Flip sandwich and grill on the other side for an additional minute or 2 until it's golden, crispy, and cheese is melted.
Serve or pack:
- Serve immediately, or, to pack in a lunchbox, wait for the sandwich to cool to room temperature before packing inside a lunch container.
- If packing for lunch, add the veggies and additional snacks to the container, but place them in separate compartments to keep the sandwich bread dry.
JL says
Hi,
Do you use ice packs to keep meats and cheese safe until lunch time?
Thanks!
Laura Fuentes says
With grilled sandwiches, since most of the food has been cooked I don’t always add an ice pack for the sandwich itself but usually to keep the other ingredients I packed on the side cool -like, nobody wants warm ranch dip, you know? You might find this post that outlines how to and when to use ice packs helpful.
Jenny says
Grilled ham and cheese is a favorite at my house so I made this lunch many times for school. Now… all these tips are soooo useful! I mean, no more soggy bread!
Samantha G. says
Omg new school lunch fav alert. I like to do the bread extra crispy so that it stays that way until Claire is ready to eat and she really likes it!
Betty says
As a grilled cheese enthusiast, this recipe is top tier. I added jalapenos for added spice and it was perf.
Katie says
Simple and delicious! Thank you!