[1] A festive gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with pickled beets and arugula (photo © Aunt Nellie’s).

[2] A jar of Aunt Nellie’s pickled beets. They’re so versatile: Check out this recipe for balsamic chicken with pickled beets (photo © Easy Chicken Recipes).

[3] Baby arugula (photo © Good Eggs).

[4] Gruyere cheese (photo © Murray’s Cheese).

[5] Caramelized onions (photo © Pompeian Olive Oil | Facebook).

This red-and-green “Christmas” grilled cheese recipe is delicious on any day of the year, but we especially like it during the holiday season.

This gourmet grilled cheese with AuntNellies.com is seasonally colorful comfort food with caramelized onions, gooey melted cheese, and toasted sourdough, accented with tangy red pickled beets and spicy green arugula.

National Grilled Cheese Day is April 12th.
 
 
RECIPE: GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE WITH PICKLED BEETS 
 
Ingredients For 4 Sandwiches

For The Caramelized Onions

Editor’s note: These caramelized onions are so delicious that we make a triple batch to have extras to enjoy with every other meal, from breakfast eggs through dinner.

 
Ingredients For The Sandwich

 
Preparation

1. MAKE the caramelized onions: In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt the butter and olive oil. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium.

2. COOK until the onions are caramelized and rich, deep golden brown, about 25 minutes, stirring often. Turn the heat to medium-low or add water if onions are dry or start to scorch before caramelizing.

3. ADD the sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute. The onions should be jammy and darkly caramelized when done. Remove them to a plate to cool.

4. MAKE the sandwiches: Spread out the bread slices on a flat surface. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice.

5. TURN 4 of the bread slices over and spread goat cheese on the plain side. Top the goat cheese with Gruyère, an even layer of beets, caramelized onions, and arugula. Top with the remaining bread, mayo side out. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.

6. MELT 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add two sandwiches, cover, and grill until the bottom of the bread is toasted, about 5-7 minutes, and cheese starts melting. Check often.

7. FLIP and cook, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the bottom of the bread is toasted. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
 
 
MORE GRILLED CHEESE RECIPES