9 Epic Sandwiches for National Grilled Cheese Month

There are few foods as comforting as a classic grilled cheese, but the sandwich you may remember from your childhood--two buttery slices of toasted bread with gooey cheese melting between them--has evolved into something that transcends comfort. The new grilled cheese replaces that single slice of processed cheese product (??!!) with ingredients like brie, manchego, or cheddar, mingling with fresh berries, bacon, or even mac'n'cheese. It's not just comforting, it's a culinary experience. Since April is National Grilled Cheese Month (how happy are we that that's an actual thing?), here's a roundup of inventive grilled cheese sandwiches to try.

1. Fig and manchego grilled cheese on olive bread  
2. Parmesan-crusted pesto grilled cheese
3. Grilled cheese with shallots, thyme, and Gruyère    
4. Grilled fontina and blackberry basil smash sandwiches
5. Grilled brie, fig jam, and rosemary butter on pound cake
6. Strawberry bruschetta grilled cheese
7. Chile relleno grilled cheese 
8. Bacon mac'n'cheese sandwich
9. ABC -- apple, bacon, cheddar panini