Cheddar Pumpkin Healthier Grilled Cheese

Name: Cheddar Pumpkin Healthier Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin; 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese ((use reduced-fat, if desired)); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 8 slices white whole grain bread; butter ((enough to spread on the slices of bread)); 2 cups arugula ((approximately))

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This healthier grilled cheese is a filling, cheesy, crispy sandwich chock-full of fiber and vitamins A and C that is a great go-to meal for busy weeknights!

Photo of two stacked halves of grilled cheese on a wax paper sandwich bag. — This grilled cheese sandwich is made healthier with pure pumpkin and arugula!

This recipe was first published April 30,2013 and last updated September 11, 2020 with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change.

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👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Back Story
🥘 Ingredients Needed
🔪 Instructions
👪 FAQs
📖 Variations
🥪 More Grilled Cheese Recipes
🥗 Suggested Side Dishes
📋 Recipe Card
💬 Reviews and Comments

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe Back Story

If you're a big fan of grilled cheese but you wish it could be a bit more nutritious, this recipe is for you! This healthy grilled cheese recipe retains the delicious creaminess of classic grilled cheese, but with the added benefit of extra nutrition and flavor.

The end result is a filling, cheesy, crispy sandwich chock-full of fiber and vitamins A and C. And with the arugula you also add a detoxifying, cancer-fighting superfood. Not bad for a dinner that you can prepare in 15-20 minutes!

🥘 Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of ingredients for cheddar pumpkin grilled cheese. — 8 delicious ingredients are all that are needed to make this filling, tasty gourmet grilled cheese!

pure pumpkin - adds some extra nutrition and extra creaminess to the sandwiches' filling.
cheddar cheese - if you like, use a cheese with a lower fat content for another way to up the health factor by reducing the fat content.
salt - to balance out the pumpkin flavor.
chili powder - for a little bit of heat.
paprika - goes so well with the cheese and pumpkin flavors!
white whole grain bread - using whole grain bread is another point in the healthy category.
butter - just a smidge!

🔪 Instructions

Collage of the process steps to make cheddar pumpkin grilled cheese sandwiches. — This recipe comes together in just a few easy steps and uses the oven to effortlessly cook multiple sandwiches at the same time!

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin, shredded cheese, salt, chili powder, and paprika.
Mix thoroughly.
Butter one side of each slice of bread with the butter. Lay 4 of them on a baking sheet, buttered side down. Distribute about half of the pumpkin mixture among the 4 slices.
Top each sandwich with a small handful of arugula.
Distribute the rest of pumpkin mixture and spread over the arugula.
Top each sandwich with another piece of bread, buttered side up.
Bake for 6-8 minutes, then flip your sandwiches and bake for another 6 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy.

Stacked grilled cheese shows the yummy cheese and pumpkin filling oozing out. — Check out the yummy, cheesy filling in this oven grilled sandwich!

👪 FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

It's probably best not to make these too far in advance, as grilled cheese is best enjoyed right out of the pan (or the oven, in this case). Luckily, this recipe will only take you 20 minutes from start to finish!

Does pumpkin really work in a grilled cheese sandwich?

Absolutely! Because it has a mild flavor, it provides a hearty addition to the filling of the sandwiches so you don't have to load them up with cheese. These healthy grilled cheese sandwiches are especially good for the fall and winter months.

What if I don't have arugula?

Feel free to substitute fresh spinach, or to leave out this ingredient entirely.

What do I do with any leftovers?

If you have leftovers, make sure the sandwiches come down to room temperature before storing them in the fridge. You can wrap them in foil or store in an airtight container.

How should I reheat leftover sandwiches?

There are a couple of options. If you need something fast, you could go with the microwave, but this won't result in a very good texture for your bread. If you don't mind a little bit of extra time, throwing them in a hot pan or back into the oven for 10 minutes or so. This will ensure that your bread gets crispy and your cheese gets melty again!

📖 Variations

You can always use whatever kind of cheese works best for you. Some pepper jack would add an extra kick to these healthy grilled cheese sandwiches, or mozzarella would make for a creamier, milder flavor.
The bread is also totally customizable, and if you prefer something like a whole wheat, 12-grain, or even just regular white bread, those would taste just as good. Sourdough would be amazing!
If you're looking to cut out as much fat as you can, pre-toast the bread. This way, you won't have to add very much buttery spread for the sandwiches to get crispy.

🥪 More Grilled Cheese Recipes

If this healthier grilled cheese recipe has you in the mood for more, check out these other great recipes! This Air Fryer Avocado Grilled Cheese is perfect, and there are so many other options as well!

Grilled Cheese and Salmon Sandwiches

A quick and easy, crispy sandwich that is both sweet and savory at the same time. Makes a great dinner for a busy family on the go!

Check out this recipe

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Roasted Red Pepper Oven Grilled Cheese

This Roasted Red Pepper Oven Grilled Cheese will WOW your taste buds with melty cheese, roasted red peppers, nutritious spinach, and crispy buttered bread!

Check out this recipe

front view of stacked grilled sandwich pieces with red peppers, spinach, and cheese oozing out

Zingy Shrimp Grilled Cheese

Cheesy shrimp with a kick, stuffed between two pieces of multi-grain bread and grilled to gooey goodness!

Check out this recipe

Side view of multiple halved zingy shrimp grilled cheese stacked on a white plate.

Broccoli Pesto Mushroom Grilled Cheese

Delicious, hearty grilled cheese sandwich perfect for lunch or a quick and easy dinner!

Check out this recipe

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Grilled Cheese with Tomato - Spend With Pennies

Grilled Cheese with Tomato is the ultimate comfort food. Soft sourdough bread grilled with gruyere, cheddar cheese and tomato is the best lunch or snack!

Check out this recipe

🥗 Suggested Side Dishes

Here are a few more more side dish ideas to pair with your healthy grilled cheese sandwiches!

Healthier Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

📋 Recipe Card