5 Shares

This Feta Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Spinach is the ultimate comfort food, combining warm, sautéed spinach, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, creamy feta, and melty cheddar cheese. All of this goodness is sandwiched between golden, buttery bread. The sandwich is simple yet indulgent, offering rich textures and bold flavors in every bite. It’s a perfect lunch or dinner for any occasion!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
113 g fresh spinach leaves (about 4 oz)
A pinch of salt
4 slices sourdough bread
2 tbsp butter, softened
6-8 pieces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
A pinch of oregano
A pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tsp honey (optional for serving)

Directions

Sauté the Spinach: Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add spinach and sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until wilted. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
Prepare the Bread: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. This will be the side that touches the pan while cooking, helping to create a golden, crispy crust.
Assemble the Sandwich: Place two slices of bread (butter side down) in a skillet. On each slice, arrange chopped sun-dried tomatoes and press them gently to stick. Then, layer half of the crumbled feta, half of the shredded cheddar, and the sautéed spinach. Add the remaining feta and cheddar, and sprinkle oregano and red pepper flakes on top.
Cook the Sandwich: Top with the second slice of bread (butter side up). Cook the sandwich over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the other side is toasted and the cheese is melted.
Serve: Optionally, drizzle a little honey over the sandwich and serve immediately.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 699 kcal
Carbohydrates: 75 g
Protein: 25 g
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 17 g
Cholesterol: 78 mg
Sodium: 1449 mg
Potassium: 609 mg
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 10 g
Calcium: 415 mg
Iron: 7 mg

A Perfect Combination of Creamy and Savory Ingredients

What sets this sandwich apart from a classic grilled cheese is the unique combination of feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. The feta cheese brings a tangy and crumbly texture that contrasts beautifully with the melted cheddar cheese, adding an extra layer of creaminess to the sandwich. The cheddar cheese melts perfectly, creating a gooey, comforting base that combines with the saltiness of the feta for a mouthwatering experience.

Sautéed spinach adds a fresh, earthy element to the sandwich, balancing out the richness of the cheeses. Spinach is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to an otherwise indulgent dish. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes introduces a burst of tangy sweetness that elevates the overall flavor profile, creating a perfect harmony between all the ingredients.

Sautéed Spinach: A Nutritious and Flavorful Base

The sautéed spinach in this sandwich provides more than just a pop of color. When cooked in olive oil, spinach becomes tender and slightly sweet, with a rich, earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the cheeses. A pinch of salt is all that’s needed to enhance its natural taste, making it a simple yet flavorful addition. Not only does spinach contribute to the flavor, but it also packs a nutritional punch, providing essential nutrients like vitamin K, iron, and calcium.

The cooking process wilts the spinach, softening it while allowing it to retain some texture. This ensures that the spinach integrates seamlessly into the sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients. The combination of sautéed spinach with feta and cheddar creates a balanced and satisfying bite that’s both comforting and nourishing.

The Role of Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are a game-changer in this sandwich, adding a burst of intense flavor. Their sweet-tart taste contrasts beautifully with the richness of the cheeses, and their chewy texture provides a delightful contrast to the creamy spinach and melted cheese. These tomatoes are packed with flavor and offer a concentrated taste that elevates the sandwich to the next level.

In addition to their taste, sun-dried tomatoes also bring a healthy dose of antioxidants and vitamins. They’re rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system, and they provide a good amount of potassium, which is essential for heart health. Their savory sweetness is the perfect complement to the salty feta and tangy cheddar, making them an essential component of the sandwich.

The Perfect Bread: Sourdough for Extra Flavor

The foundation of any great grilled cheese is the bread, and in this case, sourdough is the ideal choice. Sourdough has a slightly tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients, offering a touch of acidity that balances the richness of the cheeses and spinach. Its firm texture ensures that it crisps up beautifully when grilled, creating the perfect golden-brown crust that gives each bite the satisfying crunch you crave.

Sourdough’s chewy interior also holds up well to the fillings without becoming soggy, ensuring that each bite is a balance of crisp and soft textures. Additionally, sourdough bread has natural probiotics due to the fermentation process, which can support gut health. It’s a flavorful and hearty choice that enhances the overall sandwich experience.

Butter for Golden, Crispy Perfection

To achieve the perfect golden-brown crust, the bread is buttered generously on both sides before grilling. The butter not only helps to crisp the bread but also adds richness and depth of flavor. As the sandwich cooks, the buttered surface caramelizes, giving it a beautiful golden color and a delightful crunch. The richness of the butter works in harmony with the feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, making every bite a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.

The butter also plays a key role in making the grilled cheese comforting and indulgent, providing a smooth, velvety finish that complements the other ingredients. The golden, crispy exterior provides the perfect contrast to the creamy, melty filling, ensuring that every bite of this sandwich is a blissful experience.

A Dash of Oregano and Red Pepper Flakes

To add an extra layer of flavor, this sandwich is seasoned with a pinch of oregano and red pepper flakes. Oregano, with its earthy and slightly peppery taste, enhances the Mediterranean-inspired flavors of the feta and sun-dried tomatoes. It adds a touch of warmth to the sandwich, making it even more comforting.

The red pepper flakes introduce a subtle heat that lingers in the background, giving the sandwich a mild kick without overpowering the other flavors. The heat from the pepper flakes pairs wonderfully with the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes, adding depth and complexity to the dish.

Optional Drizzle of Honey: A Sweet Finish

For those who enjoy a sweet-savory contrast, a drizzle of honey over the finished sandwich adds the perfect touch. The sweetness of the honey complements the tanginess of the feta and the richness of the cheddar, creating a delightful contrast that enhances the overall flavor profile. The honey also adds a touch of richness and moisture to the sandwich, making it even more indulgent.

While the honey is optional, it’s a great way to elevate the flavors and add a new layer of complexity to the sandwich. The sweet notes from the honey balance the savory ingredients, ensuring that every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors.

Nutritional Benefits

Despite being a rich and indulgent meal, the Feta Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Spinach offers several nutritional benefits. At 699 calories per serving, it’s a satisfying option for lunch or dinner. The sandwich provides 25 grams of protein, primarily from the cheese and spinach, helping to support muscle health and keep you feeling full.

With 35 grams of fat, including 17 grams of saturated fat, the sandwich offers a decent amount of healthy fats, particularly from the olive oil and cheeses. The fiber from the spinach and sourdough bread adds to the nutritional profile, helping to support digestion and keep you feeling satisfied.

The sandwich is also a good source of calcium, with 415 milligrams per serving, supporting strong bones and teeth. The iron content (7 mg) is another benefit, helping to support healthy blood circulation and oxygen transport throughout the body.

Conclusion

The Feta Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Spinach is the ultimate comfort food, combining indulgent flavors and satisfying textures in every bite. With the richness of feta and cheddar cheese, the freshness of sautéed spinach, the tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes, and the golden, crispy sourdough bread, this sandwich is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you enjoy it as a quick lunch or a cozy dinner, it’s a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and slightly sweet flavors that will leave you fully satisfied. Simple to make yet full of bold flavors, this grilled cheese is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Pin5