7 Ooey, Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwiches That Are Also Healthy

THERE'S SO much more to grilled cheese than processed-till-spongy white bread and neon-orange "cheese product."

Not to smear the traditional way to make grilled cheese, but if you upgrade your approach—and your ingredients—just a tinge, you'll create an actual meal that delivers in flavor and nutrition. Yes, making a healthy grilled cheese sandwich is possible. You just need to learn the very basics.

First, there's the foolproof, perfect-every-time technique to making great grilled cheese.

Assemble the ingredients: Slather what will be the outsides of 2 slices of 1⁄2-inch-thick sourdough with softened salted butter. On the insides of the bread, add anything spreadable (pesto, mustard, avocado, nut butter). Add the cheese atop the spread and then the remaining ingredients. Close the sandwich.

Cook the sandwich: In a skillet over medium-low heat, add the sandwich, press down with a spatula, and cook until the bread is golden, about 3 minutes. Flip and repeat. Slice with a serrated knife to prevent the fillings from squishing out.

And then there's what to stuff between the slices of bread to complement the melted cheese. You don't want to go overboard, as to pull away from the bread and cheese. But adding a few simple ingredients can elevate the entire meal.

Here are five healthy grilled cheese sandwich options. Consider them your starter's pack. Build upon what you like. Ditch what you don't. Find the combo that works best for you.