Havarti Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Peaches and Prosciutto

There are some delicious meals that I just refuse to assign to a season. While a grilled cheese can seem like something that one would only crave on a cold night with some soup, I also feel like it's the type of meal which can totally be customized to fit the season! With peach season on the horizon, a peach grilled cheese with a mild and melty cheese like havarti seemed super fitting. Oh and with basil, naturally.

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The most summery grilled cheese!

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So what I love most about this grilled cheese (other than the fact that it screams summer) is that it has the best combination of flavor types. The havarti is mild and creamy, there's some balsamic peaches which perfectly balance the addition of a little acidity and sweetness, and for some saltiness there's a few slices of prosciutto. Topped with a honey drizzle and some fresh basil, what could be better!

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What ingredients do you need to start off this grilled cheese?

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The first part of this recipe is making the balsamic peaches. Balsamic vinegar and peaches are two ingredients that just go so well together, and the peaches are unbelievable once they're slightly softened in a little butter! All you'll need for them is:

1. a little butter - depending on the size of your peaches, 1/2 to 1 tablespoon should be sufficient
2. 1-2 peaches - you'll want to find some that are perfectly ripe and not too squishy
3. kosher salt - I love adding a little salt to something sweet like peaches
4. balsamic vinegar - in addition to going well with the peaches, it cuts the creaminess of the havarti so nicely!

To make the peaches it's as easy as melting the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, then adding in those peaches and sautéing for 3-4 minutes until the peaches begin to soften but aren't yet mushy. Lightly salt, reduce the heat to low, and add the balsamic vinegar. Then it's as easy as cooking them until the balsamic vinegar is reduced. The two important things are to not let the peaches become mushy, and to make sure to turn down the heat prior to adding the balsamic vinegar so it doesn't splash.

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What else do you need to put this grilled cheese together?

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Once the peaches are made it's as easy as grabbing the remaining grilled cheese ingredients. Including the havarti cheese main character, all you'll need to layer these grilled cheeses are the following ingredients:

• sourdough bread - the ultimate grilled cheese bread!
• havarti - the only cheese we need for this one, creamy yet mild, and perfect for melting!
• prosciutto - adds saltiness and extra flavor
• honey - goes perfectly with the prosciutto and peaches. It's basically like a cheese board grilled cheese!
• black pepper - love to add some of this to go with the other flavors
• basil - pairs perfectly, and is perfect for this time of year.

If you haven't tried havarti before, it's mild and creamy, but not overly creamy. When hand-shredded from a block, it could not melt more perfectly while adhering the whole sandwich together without being overpowering!

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A quick summer lunch or dinner

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I especially love grilled cheeses like this one because after the peaches are briefly cooked, all it comes down to is layering the sandwiches and cooking them up in a skillet until golden! Grilled cheeses are also ideal if you or anyone else having one has different preferences, as the amount of each ingredient is up to your discretion! I like to make sure there's enough cheese to hold everything together, and be, well, cheesy, but not too much where it's overpowering. Once the sandwiches are layered up, melting some butter in a skillet over medium heat is pretty much fool proof for getting the perfectly golden and crisp edges and melty cheese we all love!

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How do you make this one?

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Here are the steps to finish these up:

1. Top one of the slices of sourdough with 1/4 cup of the havarti.
2. Top with half of the balsamic peaches then 2 slices prosciutto.
3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with black pepper.
4. Top with basil then another 1/4 cup havarti.
5. Repeat with remaining sandwich.
6. In a large skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add grilled cheeses, pressing down lightly, and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden.
7. Flip and continue cooking until cheese is melted and bottom piece is golden.
8. Serve immediately, with additional fresh basil and honey if desired.

And just like that you have the most delicious and summery grilled cheese! I promise the smell alone as this is cooking up will have your mouth watering. I really liked the addition of honey in this recipe, and drizzling extra on top of the finished grilled cheeses also made them extra wonderful. Sprinkling on some extra basil and some flaky sea salt takes them to a whole new level!

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What makes this grilled cheese extra special?

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With all the variations of grilled cheeses (like this pickle one!) and melts out there, you may be wondering what makes this the grilled cheese you need to make next, and here are the reasons:

1. It's perfect for summer. Have I mentioned that yet? Seriously though, between the peaches and basil each bite tastes like the ideal summer sandwich.
2. The havarti is an amazing melting cheese. If you haven't tried it, definitely give it a shot in a grilled cheese. I'm going to have a hard time straying from it after this!
3. The perfect balance of flavors. When I tried this one, I couldn't get over how the creaminess from the havarti, the sweetness from the peaches, the acidity from the balsamic, and the saltiness from the prosciutto just make every bite the perfect flavor combo.

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Frequently asked questions

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If I can't find havarti can I substitute it with a different cheese?

Absolutely! Another great melting cheese like gouda or a mild cheddar would be delicious here too. I probably wouldn't opt for something super sharp in this one though as you wouldn't want it to overpower the other flavors.

Can I leave the prosciutto out?

Definitely, you can just leave it out if you don't love it or if you want to keep this grilled cheese meatless.

What would go well on the side with this havarti grilled cheese?

For a larger meal, I'd serve this havarti grilled cheese with a light summery salad.

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This havarti grilled cheese is the ultimate summer sandwich, complete with all the flavors loved this time of year. If peaches are one of your favorites, you absolutely have to give this one a try, making sure to drizzle it with honey and top it with lots of fresh basil.