Pear & Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This is the ultimate sweet-and-savory grilled cheese—perfect for lunch, a cozy dinner, or even a brunch spread. Sautéed pears with honey and lemon, melty brie, crunchy nuts, tangy cranberries, and peppery arugula all come together between perfectly toasted slices of bread. The Pear & Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich is my go-to comfort food for summer and fall.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 medium pears
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 slices bread (1/2-inch thick bread slices (or if you prefer thinner - about 1/4-inch))
• 6 oz brie cheese (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons mixed nuts (chopped (walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews))
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 1 cup fresh arugula

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Cook pears: ---
2. 2Prepare the pears: wash the pears thoroughly. You do not have to peel them if they are organic.
3. 3Cut the pears in half, remove the core, and cut them into thin slices, but not too thin.
4. 4Add the pears into a saucepot or a skillet.
5. 5Add olive oil and cook the pears for 3 minutes over medium heat.
6. 6Add honey and lemon juice. Cook the pears for 2-3 minutes and remove from the heat. Reserve the cooking juices.
7. 7--- Prepare the sandwich: ---
8. 8Melt half the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
9. 9Add two bread slices into the hot skillet. Top the bread with half the brie cheese, chopped nuts, and cranberries.
10. 10Add cooked pears and arugula. Top with the remaining brie cheese and drizzle the pears and bread with some reserved cooking pear juices. Top the pears with the remaining bread slices.
11. 11Cook the sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden and toasty. If the skillet appears dry when it is time to flip the sandwiches, add the remaining butter and continue to cook the sandwiches.
12. 12Serve the sandwiches while still warm.