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Here I’ll show you the tastiest way to whip up a classic Ham and Cheese Sandwich!
When you’re scouting the sandwich section at the supermarket, you’ll more than likely spot the good old ham and cheese sandwich. It’s not one I ever find myself grabbing, just because it’s so much easier and tastier to make at home. But the combo of cheese and ham should be celebrated nevertheless, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. Follow me…
Cheese and Ham Sandwich
What kind of bread to use?
Most ham and cheese sarnies use wholemeal seeded bread, and that’s exactly what I use. It’s quite a simple sandwich, so the extra texture and flavour in the bread work nicely.
What cheese goes well with a ham sandwich?
So many different cheeses work well with ham (Gruyere, Swiss, Red Leicester to name a few), but cheddar is the most classic option for a ham and cheese sandwich. I recommend a mature cheddar, just to pack in the flavour. Its sharpness will also help balance out the saltiness and sweetness of the ham.
I like to shave the cheese, but you can slice or grate it. I find by shaving it with a peeler you get far more even slices and it’s less likely to fall out of the sandwich.
Mayo vs Butter
Some ham and cheese sandwiches use butter, some use mayo. I personally like a combo of the two. Having said that you can use one or the other if you’d prefer.
Extra additions
You really don’t need much else, however, I do like a good pinch of cracked black pepper and a very thin spread of dijon mustard. Just make sure it’s a very thin layer of mustard, just so it doesn’t overpower the sandwich. If you don’t like mustard you can leave it out. Alternatively, if you prefer different mustards (English, wholegrain etc) then feel free to use that.
Process shots: spread bread with butter (photo 1), spread another slice with mustard (photo 2), top with mayo (photo 3), top butter with cheese (photo 4), add ham (photo 5), add pepper (photo 6), add bread (photo 7), slice in half (photo 8).
Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich (optional)
Typically I make cold ham and cheese sandwiches, but now and then I’ll toast it up. Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches (or ‘ham and cheese toasties’ / ‘ham grilled cheese’) are so simple to make.
Instead of spreading the butter/mayo on the inside, just spread one or the other on the outside. Add to a non-stick pan over medium heat and fry both sides until crisp, with the cheese melted in the centre. Alternatively, you can use a toastie machine if you have one!
Process shots: spread outside of sandwich with mayo or butter and add to pan (photo 1), fry both sides (photo 2), slice in half (photo 3).
Serving Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
I typically whip these up for a quick lunch, but they work great in the lunchbox too! Salt and vinegar crisps alongside is a non-negotiable 😋
What else can I add to a ham and cheese sandwich?
In all honesty, you don’t need anything else. Keep it classic! You could add all sorts of fillings such as tomatoes, onion, lettuce and pickle, but by that point, you’ve steered off the beaten track.
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this ham and cheese sandwich shall we?!
How to make Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (Full Recipe & Video)
A Perfect Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Here I'll show you the tastiest way to whip up a classic Ham and Cheese Sandwich!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: lunch
Cuisine: British
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings (click & slide): 4 sandwiches
Calories per serving: 390kcal
Author: Chris
Cost per serving: £1.50 / $2
Equipment
Vegetable/Potato Peeler (for cheese)
Bread Knife & Regular Knife
Ingredients
- 8 slices of Seeded Bread
- 16 slices of Wafer Thin Ham (4 slices per sandwich)
- 5oz / 150g Mature/Sharp Cheddar, shaved with a potato/vegetable peeler
- Butter, as needed
- Mayo, as needed (or sub more butter)
- Dijon Mustard, as needed (see notes)
- Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Spread one slice of bread with butter, then spread a VERY thin layer of mustard on the other. Top the mustard slice with a slightly more liberal spread of mayo.
Top either slice with shaved cheese, then add the ham on top. I recommend folding in the ham, just to create a bit more height to the sandwich. Sprinkle the ham with black pepper to taste.
Add the second slice on top, slice in half and enjoy!
Quick Demo
Notes
a) Cheese - There's a variety of different cheeses that go nicely with ham (Gruyere, Swiss, Red Leicester to name a few), but cheddar is the most classic in this scenario. I like to shave the cheese, but you can slice or grate. I just find you get far more even slices with shaving and it's less likely to fall out the sandwich.
b) Mayo/Butter - Some ham and cheese sandwiches use butter, some mayo. I prefer a mix of both, but you can use one or the other if you'd prefer!
c) Dijon Mustard - You only want a very thin dash of this. It's there to offer a very gentle background flavour. You don't want it to over power the whole sandwich. If you don't like mustard you can leave it out. Alternatively if you prefer different mustards (English, wholegrain etc) then feel free to use that.
d) Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich - If you want to turn this into a toastie/grilled cheese you definitely can. Just spread the mayo or butter on the outside of the sandwich, then fry both sides in a non-stick pan over medium heat until the bread is crisp and the cheese has melted.
e) Calories - per sandwich assuming 1 tsp mayo, 1 tsp butter and 1/2 tsp dijon.
Your Private Notes:
Click here to add your own private notes or reminders about this recipe.
Nutrition:
Nutrition Facts
A Perfect Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Amount Per Serving
Calories 390Calories from Fat 206
% Daily Value*
Fat 22.89g35%
Saturated Fat 10.551g66%
Trans Fat 0.588g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.854g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.964g
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 1025mg45%
Potassium 348mg10%
Carbohydrates 23.85g8%
Fiber 3.9g16%
Sugar 3.47g4%
Protein 22.48g45%
Vitamin A 476IU10%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 311mg31%
Iron 1.64mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
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For more similar sandwiches check out these beauties:
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- Ham Grilled Cheese
- Croque Monsieur
- Cheesy Ham Crumpet Sandwiches
- Epic Ham Sandwich
If you loved this Ham and Cheese Sandwich Recipe be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below!
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Comments
Moriarty You should use wholewheat, or any other kind of bread. You should use mayo, or butter, or both, or neither. You should use dijon mustard, or any other kind of mustard, or none. You should use cheddar, or any other kind of cheese, which can be shaved, sliced, or grated. You should more than likely use ham. You don’t need to add anything else but could probably add salad such as tomato, onion, or lettuce if you wish. You should definitely cut the sandwich into two or even four pieces, or any other combination that works for you. You should eat this sandwich cold, or if you prefer, you should toast it in a grill, pan, broiler, oven, or over a fire.
Great f*cking recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
- Stella
Ham and cheese sandwiches is just my all favourite sandwich to make..love it!Reply
