Toasted bread with melted cheese – could there be a simpler yet more beloved sandwich? Each year, fans celebrate their love of this dish on April 12, which has been dubbed National Grilled Cheese Day.

Many trace the origins of the dish to the late 1890s and France’s croque monsieurs, a pan-toasted sandwich made of bread, ham and cheese. But the “grilled cheese” as most Americans know it came about in the mid 20th century, thanks to the invention of factory-sliced bread and processed cheese slices.

If you’re looking for ways to go beyond the basic iteration, it’s easy to be creative with your grilled cheese sandwiches. Try adding some of these ingredients during the assembly process, before toasting:

• Caramelized onions
  
  
• Jarred veggies: roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes or artichoke hearts
  
  
• Meats: roasted chicken or turkey
  
  
• Seafood: sardines or tuna
  
  
• Fresh veggies: spinach or sliced tomatoes
  
  
• Fruits: fig jam or apple slices
  
  
• Fresh herbs: basil with mozzarella cheese or thyme paired with Swiss

And you can try different ways of preparing your grilled cheese sandwiches:

• Bake your grilled cheese instead of pan grilling: Heat your oven to 400 degrees and place assembled sandwiches on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper, with both slices of bread buttered on the outside. Bake five to six minutes, then flip and bake for the same amount of time before removing from the oven.
  
  
• Make grilled cheese rollups: Cut the crusts off sliced bread, roll each slice flat with a rolling pin, add a slice of cheese and roll it up, securing it with a toothpick. Brush the outside with butter and fry in a pan until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
  
  
• Instead of butter, try using light mayo on the outside of the bread.
  
  
• Substitute shredded cheese for slices – it will melt faster.
  
  
• Use small slices of a baguette to make “mini” grilled cheese sandwiches. This is a great appetizer idea for parties.

Source: HowStuffWorks