Roasted Pepper, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Grilled Cheese

Roasted Pepper, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Grilled Cheese

This Roasted Pepper, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Grilled Cheese hits the spot day or night!

Roasted Pepper, Caramelized Onion, and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 3 cups chopped onion
  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • 4 slices Havarti cheese
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 8 roasted red pepper strips (about 3×1 inch)
  • ½ cup butter
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, paprika, and hot sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
  3. Heat drippings over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from skillet. Wipe skillet clean.
  4. Spread 1 bread slice with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture. Top with about 3 tablespoons onions, 2 slices bacon, 1 slice Havarti, 1 slice American cheese, and 2 roasted pepper strips. Spread another bread slice with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture. Place bread, spread side down, onto sandwich. Repeat with remaining bread, mayonnaise mixture, onions, bacon, cheese, and roasted peppers.
  5. Melt butter in pan over medium-high heat. Reserve ¼ cup melted butter. Working in batches, cook sandwiches until lightly browned on bottom, about 2 minutes. Brush top of sandwiches with reserved ¼ cup melted butter. Turn sandwiches, and cook until golden brown on bottom and cheese is melted, about 2 minutes more, pressing slightly with a spatula. Reduce temperature to medium, if necessary. Serve immediately.
Notes
Kitchen Tip: You can use any bread you prefer in place of the sourdough, but be sure it is sturdy enough to support all the toppings.