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Want to upgrade the usual ham sandwich? This Hawaiian Grilled Cheese will do the trick! It’s layered with delicious flavor, and I’ll show you how to pack it in the lunchbox, so the bread stays toasty-crisp.
Ham & Pineapple Grilled Cheese
Tangy pineapple, savory ham, and gooey cheese all stacked between 2 slices of bread, what more could you ask for in a sandwich?
As incredible as this sounds, the ingredients are quite simple and you probably have them in the fridge and pantry right now. The pineapple can be fresh or canned, and I’ll show you a simple trick for adding them to the sandwich without making the bread soggy.
Love this recipe so far? I’ve got plenty more epic grilled cheese sandwich ideas you could try, with tips on how to make them like a pro. We’re talking taco grilled cheese, tuna melt, and more!
What is in a Hawaiian Grilled Cheese
Here’s what you’ll need to create this grilled Hawaiian masterpiece:
- Hearty bread: thick sliced bread holds up best.
- Mayonnaise: just a small amount.
- Ham: thinly sliced deli ham works great.
- Pineapple: use fresh or canned slices.
- Cheese: Swiss, Cheddar, Gouda, or any cheese you have.
- Butter: gives the bread a golden glow.
- Snacks: fresh veggies make this meal complete!
Making incredible lunches is easy when you have the right ingredients and ideas. Want more? You’ll find a ton of them in this ebook:
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child's lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
How to Pack Hawaiian Grilled Cheese for Lunch
Here’s where I show you how to pack this grilled cheese in the lunchbox:
- Prep
Use a paper towel to blot the pineapple rings dry, this will prevent the bread from soaking up excess moisture. - Assemble
Spread the mayo onto the bread and top one slice with ham, a pineapple ring, and cheese. You want the pineapple in between the ham and cheese so it doesn’t touch the bread. Assemble the sandwich and butter both sides. - Grease a non-stick pan
Grill the sandwich like you would any grilled cheese. Once the bread is toasted, remove it from the heat and allow the sandwich to cool down before cutting in half and packing it into a compartmentalized lunch container. - Pack it up
Add the veggies to the lunchbox, keeping them separate from the sandwich. Close the container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.
Keeping grilled sandwiches crispy for lunch at school
Time to pack this sandwich like a pro! Check out these tips and your lunches will stay intact for hours:
Allow it to cool down
Curious why you should let a grilled sandwich cool before placing it into the container? This prevents steam from building up and making the bread soggy.
Use a hard container
I recommend packing your grilled sandwiches snugly in a firm container instead of a zip bag.This way, it won't slide around or get squished in the lunch bag.
Build it right
The reason to place ham and cheese next to the bread slices and the pineapple in the middle is to create a barrier and keep the bread from absorbing the fruit moisture.
Keep it cool
You can add an ice pack inside the lunch bag to help regulate the temperature and keep food cool until lunch, especially if lunch bags will be kept outside for some hours.
Grab more tips and a visual guide on how to pack grilled sandwiches of all kinds for lunch, so they stay crisp and golden.
More grilled cheese sandwiches for school lunch
Grilled sandwiches are one of my go-to school lunches since they are quick to make and my kids love them! Other tasty ideas I always pack for lunch are cranberry pear grilled cheese, apple grilled cheese sandwich, and grilled cheese and tomato! Delish!
Hawaiian Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 2 thick slices bread
- 2- ounces deli ham
- 1-2 pineapple rings
- 1 slice of cheese, any kind
- Butter, for grilling
- Fresh veggies
Instructions
- Spread the mayo onto both slices of bread. Layer one slice with the ham, pineapple ring(s), and cheese. Close the sandwich and butter both sides.
- In a medium non-stick pan over medium-high heat, grill the sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and continue to grill until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from heat and allow the sandwich to cool to room temperature before slicing in half and packing it inside the lunch container.
- Add the veggies and additional snacks to the container, but place them in separate compartments to keep the sandwich bread dry.
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