Friends, a momentous event occurred this past weekend.

I’m not talking about the Olympics. Or Broad Street Run bibs announced.

I’m talkin’ Grilled Cheese Party.

A simple idea inspired by MNN, we temporarily escaped from this wintery, snowy with an impromptu grilled cheese party?

How to Host a Grilled Cheese Party

Compared to other parties I’ve hosted, the grilled cheese party was relatively inexpensive, easy to prepare and fun to create. One of my friends came over 15 minutes before the other guests to help chop and arrange our table for a Grilled Cheese oasis.

Grilled Cheese Party – What to Buy

Heading to the store the same day (or day before) the party is all the time you need. Plus, you want to wait to slice cheeses to avoid hardening.

Here’s what to buy:

• Bread: 2-3 kinds. I purchased a sourdough & Italian variety. Switch things up with rye, mult-grain or marble.
• Cheese: Make sure to offer a variety for the “main” course. Brie, herbed goat cheese, port salud, cheddar, parmesan, 3 cheese blend, mozzarella and pepper jack made the cut for my cheese board. Other suggestions include gouda, havarti, fontina, gruyere and blue cheese.
• Toppings: Options for how to mix and match your grilled cheese can create endless combinations. I prepared spinach, pesto, mushrooms, tomato slices, avocado, salsa, caramelized onions, jelly, honey and almonds.

Grilled Cheese Party Prep

• Slice cheese and arrange (with labels) on a cheese board or plate.
• Cut & sauté any veggies before guests arrive. I prepared the spinach, mushrooms & caramelized onions to eliminate hiccups during the sandwich arrangements.
• Label condiments & arrange on a table.

Grilled Cheese – Combination Ideas

7 lovely guests created their own creations between bread and queued up for the grilling. I had a skillet and wide pan simultaneously heating grilled cheese perfections.

Stuck on what to put on your sandwich? Here are a few ideas:

• Simple: Brie, goat & spinach
• Traditional: Cheddar, tomato, spinach, mushrooms & onions
• Mexican: Pepperjack, cheddar, avocado, onions & tomato
• Sweet: Goat cheese, honey & almonds
• Savory: Brie, port salud & tomato
• Italian: Basil, pesto, tomato & mozzarella
• DIY: Whatever you want!

Bellies full and grilled cheese cravings satisfied, I received positive feedback from my guests (and instagrammers.) With little prep time and inexpensive cost, I’ll definitely repeat this party in the future.

Readers, have you hosted a grilled cheese party? What do you recommend doing?

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher