Grilled Cheese With Roasted Pineapple, Ham, and Swiss Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated March 31, 2025
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J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

A classic grilled cheese sandwich with roasted pineapple and ham.

Recipe Details

Grilled Cheese With Roasted Pineapple, Ham, and Swiss Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 25 mins
Total 30 mins
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 2 (1/2-inch thick) slices pineapple, about 2- by 4-inches each

  • 2 slices ham

  • 2 slices hearty white bread, such as Pepperidge Farm or Arnold, or 2 slices hearty French or Italian bread

  • 2 slices Swiss cheese

  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Heat 1 tablepsoon butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add pineapple slices and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes total. Remove from skillet and set aside. Add ham and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe out skillet with paper towels.

  2. Melt 2 teaspoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add both bread slices and cook, swirling occasionally, until pale golden brown on bottom side, about 2 minutes.

  3. Transfer to a cutting board toasted-side-up. Place one cheese slice on top of one slice of bread. Top with pinapple, ham, and second cheese slice. Close sandwich, with both toasted sides facing inwards.

  4. Melt 2 more teaspoons of butter in the skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Add sandwich and cook, swirling occasionally, until deep, even golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove sandwich using a flexible metal spatula. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons butter. Return sandwich to skillet cooked-side up. Season with salt. Cook, swirling occasionally, until second side is deep, even golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
981Calories
61gFat
60gCarbs
52gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories981
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 61g78%
Saturated Fat 34g169%
Cholesterol 230mg77%
Sodium 2323mg101%
Total Carbohydrate 60g22%
Dietary Fiber 5g16%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 52g
Vitamin C 98mg488%
Calcium 630mg48%
Iron 4mg22%
Potassium 819mg17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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