Save This vibrant twist on classic grilled cheese transforms an everyday comfort food into a colorful masterpiece that delights both eyes and taste buds. By incorporating natural food powders into different cheese portions, you create a rainbow effect when the sandwich is cut open, revealing a chaotic blend of colors that is sure to bring smiles to the table.
I first made these funky grilled cheese sandwiches for my niece's rainbow-themed birthday party. The look on the kids' faces when they bit into what seemed like ordinary grilled cheese only to discover a burst of colors inside was absolutely priceless. Now it's our go-to lunch for rainy day pick-me-ups.
Ingredients
- White cheddar cheese: serves as an excellent canvas for our natural coloring agents while providing a sharp flavor foundation
- Mozzarella cheese: adds that irresistible stretch factor that makes grilled cheese so satisfying
- Gouda cheese: brings a nutty depth that elevates this sandwich beyond basic grilled cheese
- Spirulina powder: creates a gorgeous blue green hue while adding a nutritional boost with minimal flavor impact
- Beet powder: transforms cheese into vibrant pink streaks and adds a subtle earthiness
- Turmeric powder: not only creates sunny yellow patches but adds anti inflammatory benefits
- Sourdough bread: offers the perfect sturdy yet tender base with a slight tang that complements the cheeses
- Unsalted butter: creates that perfectly crispy golden exterior that makes grilled cheese so irresistible
- Cream cheese: optional but recommended for creating an extra creamy texture that helps the colored cheeses blend beautifully
Instructions
- Prepare the colored cheeses:
- Divide your three cheese varieties evenly among three separate bowls. Make sure the bowls are large enough to allow for thorough mixing. The cheese should be at room temperature for about 15 minutes before mixing for best results.
- Add natural coloring:
- Sprinkle each bowl with its designated coloring powder spirulina for blue green, beet powder for pink red, and turmeric for yellow. Use a fork to gently toss and incorporate the powder until the cheese is evenly colored. Take your time with this step to ensure consistent coloring without clumps.
- Enhance creaminess:
- If using cream cheese, add a small dollop to each colored cheese mixture. Using clean fingers or a spatula, gently fold it in until incorporated. This not only helps the cheese melt more smoothly but also helps the colors pop more vibrantly.
- Prepare bread base:
- Lay your bread slices on a clean work surface and butter one side of each slice generously, making sure to spread all the way to the edges. This creates that perfect golden crust that makes grilled cheese so satisfying.
- Create your chaos design:
- With buttered sides facing down, begin arranging your colored cheeses on two bread slices in whatever pattern strikes your fancy. Think Jackson Pollock style with random splotches, stripes, or swirls of each color. Be generous with the cheese, building it up about half an inch thick for optimal melting.
- Assemble sandwiches:
- Top each colorful cheese creation with the remaining bread slices, positioning the buttered sides facing outward. Press down gently to compact the sandwich slightly without squishing out the cheese.
- Begin the cooking process:
- Heat your nonstick skillet over medium heat until warm but not smoking hot. Place your sandwiches in the pan carefully, allowing space between them if cooking both simultaneously. Cook undisturbed for two minutes to begin melting the cheese.
- Perfect the golden crust:
- Using a spatula, press down gently on each sandwich to ensure good contact with the pan. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the bottom is golden brown with beautiful caramelization marks.
- Flip with finesse:
- Using your spatula, carefully flip each sandwich in one smooth motion. The second side typically cooks slightly faster, so watch it closely. Press down occasionally to help the cheese continue melting evenly.
- Finish and serve:
- Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted, remove from heat. Let the sandwiches rest for about 30 seconds before cutting diagonally to reveal the colorful chaos inside. Serve immediately while the cheese is at its stretchiest.
Save The first time I made these colorful grilled cheese sandwiches, I was skeptical about how the natural powders would affect the taste. To my delight, the flavors remained largely unchanged while the visual impact was extraordinary. My personal favorite combination is using a bit more beet powder in one section to create a deep magenta color that contrasts beautifully with the turmeric yellow.
Natural Coloring Alternatives
While our recipe calls for spirulina, beet, and turmeric powders, you can experiment with many other natural coloring options. Matcha powder creates a lovely forest green that is slightly different from spirulina  s blue green hue. Paprika or annatto seed powder produces a beautiful orange that adds another dimension to your color palette. For purple tones, try butterfly pea powder or a small amount of activated charcoal for a dramatic black effect. When using these alternatives, start with just a pinch and gradually increase until you achieve your desired color intensity.
Serving Suggestions
This funky grilled cheese deserves equally fun accompaniments. Serve alongside a classic tomato soup that has been divided into portions and colored with the same natural powders for a completely color coordinated meal. For a more sophisticated presentation, cut the sandwich into small triangles and serve as colorful appetizers at your next gathering. During summer months, pair with a cucumber watermelon salad for a refreshing contrast, or in winter, serve with a hearty vegetable soup for a comforting meal that still brings joy through its playful appearance.
Kid Friendly Kitchen Project
Transform the preparation of this recipe into an engaging activity for children. Set up a cheese coloring station with small bowls of the different powders and let kids experiment with creating their own colored cheese mixtures. Use cookie cutters to cut the bread into fun shapes before building the sandwiches. Have children predict what patterns might form inside when the cheese melts. This hands on approach not only creates a memorable cooking experience but also serves as a subtle way to introduce concepts of color mixing, food science, and creativity in the kitchen.
Storage and Reheating
Best enjoyed fresh off the griddle for optimal cheese stretch and crispy exterior. Can be assembled ahead and stored uncooked in refrigerator for up to 8 hours. For reheating leftover sandwiches use a toaster oven rather than microwave to maintain crispiness.
Seasonal Adaptations
Spring Refresh: Add edible flowers between cheese layers for beautiful pressed flower effect when cooked. Incorporate fresh herbs like basil or chives into one color mixture. Serve with light asparagus soup for a seasonal pairing.
Summer Celebration: Use sourdough bread made with activated charcoal for dramatic black exterior. Add thin slices of summer tomatoes between cheese layers. Serve with watermelon gazpacho for a temperature contrast.
Winter Comfort: Incorporate warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into one cheese mixture. Use hearty artisan bread with seeds for extra texture. Serve alongside butternut squash soup for a cozy meal.
Save Enjoy this visually stunning and delicious rainbow grilled cheese that is sure to be a hit with everyone. It's a simple way to add a burst of fun and flavor to any mealtime.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve bright cheese colors?
Mix shredded cheese with natural color powders like beet, spirulina, or turmeric for vibrant hues that stand out when melted.
- → Can I use different breads?
Yes, sourdough, white, or whole grain bread work well, as long as they hold up to grilling and allow the colors to show.
- → What’s the best way to melt the cheese evenly?
Mix a teaspoon of cream cheese with your colored cheese. Grill sandwiches over medium heat, pressing gently for even melting.
- → Are there alternative color powders?
Try paprika for orange, matcha for green, or butterfly pea powder for blue. Ensure any powder used is food safe.
- → How can I prevent cheese powders from staining?
Wear food-safe gloves when handling colored cheese mixtures or wash hands promptly after mixing to avoid stains.