Gruyere is so tasty – so earthy. This is a great sandwich with quite a bite to it.

Grilled Mushroom and Gruyere

4 servings
305 calories per serving

1 T butter
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
4 t Dijon mustard
8 slices whole wheat bread
5 oz. spinach leaves
¼ c shallots, sliced very thinly
1 c shredded Gruyere cheese
Pam
ICBINB Spray

Heat butter and sauté shallots 3 minutes then add mushrooms and sauté another 6 minutes. Add up to 2 T of hot water if the mix gets too dry. Spread mustard on bread and add spinach leaves, ¼ c cheese and ¼ of the mushroom and shallot mix. Top with the rest of the bread. Spray a hot skillet with Pam. Spray each side of the sandwich with ICBINB Spray and then cook 2-3 minutes per side or until golden and cheese is melted.

Looking for something a little spicy and a little different? This will definitely perk up your lunch ! The poblano pepper makes a great grilled sandwich – coupled with the bean and salsa mash, you barely want anything else – even the cheese becomes secondary (and that is often IMPOSSIBLE).

Poblano Grilled Cheese

4 servings
305 calories per serving

4 poblano peppers
14 oz. can pinto beans
3 T salsa
1/8 t salt
½ c shredded low fat Cheddar cheese
2 T low fat plain yogurt
2 T chopped cilantro
8 slices 45 calorie per slice whole wheat bread
ICBINB Spray

Place peppers in a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave 4 minutes to soften. Let sit covered until cool. Mix beans with salsa and salt and mash most of them to form a paste. Mix cheese with yogurt and cilantro. Heat a Panini maker or indoor grill with a press. Spread the bean mix on 4 slices of bread and then top with the cheese mix. Split the peppers in half and remove the seeds then place peppers over the cheese and finish the sandwich. Spray both sides of the sandwiches with 5-6 squirts of ICBINB spray. Grill until golden brown.

Another from the stable of easy grilled cheese sandwiches – I do so many in the very similar way of cooking – but each is stuffed with different types of ingredients and gives you a whole different taste treat. This one is like easting a Caprese Salad.

Tomato and Mozz Panini

1 serving
330 calories per serving

1 Arnold sandwich thins roll (only 100 calories!)
4 thin slices of tomato
3 oz. low fat mozzarella, thinly sliced
1 T basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Pam
ICBINB Spray

Place cheese on bottom bun, then add tomatoes and finally basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and close sandwich and spray each side with a few squirts of ICBINB Spray. Spray a hot skillet with Pam. Heat each side of the sandwich 2-3 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.

Grilled cheese – only better… because bacon makes everything better ! And only 140 calories ! Go ahead – have 2

Grilled Cheese and Bacon

1 serving
140 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calorie bread
2 slices turkey bacon
2 slices Kraft fat free singles
10 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Pam

Cook bacon according to package instructions. Spray pan with Pam and heat – make sure pan is good and hot on medium high heat. Make sandwich of the bread, bacon and cheese. Spray outsides of the sandwich with 5 sprays each of ICBINB. Place in pan and cook 1-2 minutes or so each side or until brown and cheese is melted.

Any grilled cheese sandwich is a winner in my book and this one is no exception – and here the sweet roasted peppers are a nice contrast to the provolone.

Grilled Provolone and Peppers

2 servings
200 calories per serving

4 slices 45 calorie bread (Pepperidge Farm Light Multi Grain)
4 slices low fat provolone (sliced thin)
2 roasted red bell peppers, drained, rinsed and dried – and cut into strips
Pam
ICBINB Spray

Make sandwiches and spray the outsides with the butter flavored spray. Heat a skillet to medium high and spray with Pam. Cook each side 2-3 minute or until browned and the cheese is all melted.

Alone, with bacon, with tomato – - however you make it, if you make grilled cheese, I’m there ! Served next to tomato soup, it makes a great lunch.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato

1 serving
110 calories per serving

2 slices 45 calorie bread
2 slices tomato
2 slices Kraft fat free singles
20 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
Pam

Spray pan with Pam and heat – make sure pan is good and hot on medium high heat. Make sandwich of the bread, tomato and cheese. Spray outsides of the sandwich with 5 sprays (per side) each of ICBINB. Place in pan and cook 1-2 minutes or so each side, or until brown and cheese is melted.

Grilled cheesy sandwiches – they make it on this ‘diet’ plan of mine and I am so happy about it ! To make them more sensible, use low fat cheeses, add flavor in the way of herbs, and be sure to use Pam and buttery spray. And then off you go – the variations are endless and here is a great Italian inspired one.

Pesto and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese

6 servings
285 calories per serving

1/4 c low fat pesto
12 1 oz. slices sourdough bread
12 3/4 oz. slices part skim mozzarella cheese
6 1/4 inch thick slices tomato
18 large basil leaves
I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
Pam

Spread 1 t pesto on each slice of bread. Top 6 slices of bread with a cheese slice, a tomato slice, 3 basil leaves, and another cheese slice. Top with remaining bread slice. Spray outsides of sandwiches with at least 5 sprays per side. Heat skillet on medium heat and spray with Pam. Add sandwiches, as many as will fit in a batch. Cook 2-3 minutes each side or until cheese is melted. You can use a Panini press here and the cheese will melt even nicer

This sooooo takes the place of a regular grilled cheese – not quite your local diner fare, but very satisfying. It is tasty and fat free cheese slices do not taste like cardboard like they did 10 years ago. They are creamy and cheesy and this is an awesome sandwich.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

1 serving
140 calories for the sandwich
100 calories for the soup

2 slices 45 calorie bread
2 slices Kraft fat free slices American cheese
20 sprays of ICBINB (I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray)
Pam

Tomato Soup – approximately 1 cup = 100 calories for several brands in the carton. And to me, the soups in the carton are much better than the canned ones. I swear I can taste the can when I eat some brands

Spray pan with Pam and heat – make sure pan is good and hot on medium high heat. Make sandwich of the bread and cheese. Spray outsides of the sandwich with 5 sprays each of ICBINB. Place in pan and cook 1-2 minutes or so each side or until brown and cheese is melted. Meanwhile heat the soup in a pot and ladle into a mug.