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Home Β» Chef Recipes Β» Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula

Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula

April 11, 2016 By Sandi Gaertner 48 Comments

I would be grateful if you shared this post :-)

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It is time to celebrate all things cheesy. This Gluten Free Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula is my new favorite craving!

If you love lots of cheese, with a fun spicy twist…this is the sandwich for you!

Gluten Free Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula sandwich halves stacked on top of each other. Arugula is on the wooden plate around the sandwich.

(* This post was sponsored by Smart & Final. All “cheesy” opinions are my own.)

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a staple in our house. Everyone in my family loves anything based on melty cheese :-).

You may look at my ingredient list and wonder about this grilled cheese recipe. You have to understand that I love food chemistry and flavor combinations, and I promise I would never steer you wrong.

You will have to trust me on this grilled cheese recipe.

It is so worth making.

The sweetness of the strawberry jam just “works” with the peppery finish of the hot sauce and arugula. The cream cheese adds the creaminess mouthfeel and the flavors create a party in your mouth!

Pulling apart two halves of a Gluten Free Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese sandwich with melted cheese stretching

I am not only celebrating this special “foodie” day, but I wanted to talk a little bit about giving back. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I used to work in the non-profit realm as events and fundraising person. Even now that I am no longer working for a non-profit, our family is still very active in volunteering.

It is so important to give back

 

The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation supports four important areas – health and wellness, education, hunger relief, and team sports and youth development. The Foundation gives to nonprofits in California, Arizona, and Nevada where the company has stores.

And what better way to support this cause then to shop and get these tasty First Street ingredients to make this pepper jack grilled cheese sandwich! As always, Smart & Final guarantees all of their First Street products with a “try it and you’ll like it” or your money-back guarantee.

First Street Shopping cart filled with ingredients to make this grilled cheese sandwich

Table of Contents

  • Shopping list to make this pepper jack grilled cheese:
  • More Delicious Sandwiches To Try:
  • Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions

Shopping list to make this pepper jack grilled cheese:

  • Bread
  • Pepper Jack cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Arugula
  • Strawberry jam
  • Hot sauce

For my recipe, I found all sorts of great First Street products to use. Not only does Smart & Final carry over 2,000 First Street products, but they also have a lot of gluten free brands, fresh organic produce, and even cleaning products.

To create this easy grilled cheese sandwich recipe is so easy!

First, we want to create the strawberry hot sauce.

Strawberry Hot Sauce ingredients in a bowl

Just combine the strawberry jam and cayenne pepper sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat. Heating the two together help mesh the flavors together. Do this first so it has time to cool off.

Grilled Cheese cooking in a cast iron skillet

Heat a pan and coat one side of the bread with butter. Spread on cream cheese and add pepper jack to one slice, then spread the special strawberry hot sauce on the other.

Grilled Cheese cooking. Arugula added to sandwich

Add another slice of pepper jack then top the one side with fresh arugula. Finish heating then blend the two halves together.

melted cheese stretching between two sandwich halves.

This grilled cheese is super cheesy and delicious! Another thing I love about Smart & Final are the prices. Warehouse prices so I save money. It is so easy to get all of the ingredients I need for this perfect grilled cheese sandwich.

More Delicious Sandwiches To Try:

  • Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich
  • Crispy Delicata Squash Quesadillas
  • Italian Panini Sandwich
  • Tuna Panini with Grilled Onions

recipe love

Continue to Content
Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula

Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula

Yield: 2 sandwiches
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Easy pepper jack grilled cheese sandwich recipe.

Ingredients

  • 8 slices gluten free bread, for 4 sandwiches
  • 8 Pepper Jack cheese slices
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese per sandwich
  • 1/4 cup strawberry jam
  • 1-2 teaspoons cayenne hot sauce, depends how spicy you like it!
  • 1/4 cup fresh arugula
  • butter for the outsides of the bread

Instructions

  1. In a microwave safe dish, combine strawberry jam and hot sauce.
  2. Stir to mix.
  3. Microwave for 40 seconds.
  4. Remove and stir again.
  5. Heat a skillet on medium heat.
  6. Butter one side of each piece of bread.
  7. When the pan is hot, put the butter side bread down on the pan.
  8. Spread cream cheese on one side and the jam on the other.
  9. Cover each with a slice of Pepper Jack cheese.
  10. When the cheese gets a little melted, add arugula.
  11. Remove sandwich halves from the heat and put together.
  12. Serve warm while the cheese is melty.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 548 Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 41mg Sodium: 592mg Carbohydrates: 90g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 30g Protein: 7g
**If your gluten free flour blend doesn't include Xanthan Gum, please add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon! **Please note this nutrition information is calculated by a recipe plugin and is an estimate based on the ingredients used in this recipe.
© Sandi Gaertner
Cuisine: American / Category: Meal Recipes

 

 

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Filed Under: Chef Recipes, Gluten Free Dinner Recipes, Gluten Free Lunch Recipes, Gluten Free Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes, Meal Recipes Tagged With: arugula, cheese, cream cheese, pepper jack, sandwich, strawberry

Previous Post: « Gluten Free Quick and Easy French Toast Muffins
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candi Elm

    June 6, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    Your flavor combinations are amazing. I can’t wait to sink my teeth in this.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      June 7, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Thank you so much Candi πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Keri|flipflopweekend

    January 23, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Hi Sandi! Thanks for sharing this great recipe with me! I featured it in my recent post rounding-up some yummy non-dessert strawberry recipes! You can check it out at https://www.flipflopweekend.com/strawberry-recipes/

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  3. Joe Deutsch

    April 19, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    I already can anticipate the taste! It reminds me of a dish that I already make and love…fried Camembert with jalapeΓ±o jelly. Yum! Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 20, 2016 at 4:45 pm

      That jalapeno jelly sounds really good. I need to find that!

      Reply
  4. Meghan | Fox and Briar

    April 13, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Love that you made a strawberry hot sauce! That sweet/spicy/cheesy combo has my mouth watering!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 14, 2016 at 7:22 am

      Awww, thank you so much Meghan πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. Nutmeg Nanny

    April 13, 2016 at 10:46 am

    This is one crazy delicious looking grilled cheese! Love that addition of sweet and heat…yum!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 13, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      Thank you so much πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Brianna H

    April 13, 2016 at 8:54 am

    This sandwich is simply genius! The combo of spicy and sweet… I HEART it!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 13, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. jane @ littlesugarsnaps

    April 13, 2016 at 1:34 am

    Fantastic. I’ve tried a wonderful salad with strawberries and mozzarella before, so I have no doubt on your flavour pairing working brilliantly. I love the hit of heat from the cayenne sauce though – perfect to go in a warm and toastie…. cheese toastie as we call them in my house

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 13, 2016 at 3:35 pm

      I like cheese toastie…it sounds so cute πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. laura@motherwouldknow

    April 12, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    I’m going to run over to the refrigerator right now and make strawberry hot sauce – what an amazing combination. Hope my husband doesn’t mistake it for his strawberry jam tomorrow morning:)

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 13, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      I hope you like it Laura πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

    April 12, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    What a wonderful combination! I have never thought of a sweet and spicy combination unless it was an Asian inspired dish! This looks just so good!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      It is definitely perfect with the cheese and arugula πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. Nettie Moore

    April 12, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    What an amazing combo! I want to try that glorious cheesy sammie ASAP!! Nettie

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you so much Nettie πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Jessica - The Novice Chef

    April 12, 2016 at 10:05 am

    Strawberry hot sauce? I am so intrigued with this flavor combo!!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      It is so easy to make and put on everything πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish

    April 12, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Oh my goodness, yes please!!! These look amazing! Love the strawberry hot sauce.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Enjoy πŸ™‚ Thank you for stopping by the blog.

      Reply
  13. Karly Campbell

    April 12, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Strawberry hot sauce!? I’m intrigued. And drooling a little. Mostly drooling, though. This sandwich looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. jules

    April 12, 2016 at 8:25 am

    I can’t wait to try this with dairy-free cheese options and fresh homemade GF bread. I’m sure it will be scrumptious!
    ~jules

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Doesn’t Daiya make a dairy free Pepper Jack?

      Reply
  15. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet

    April 12, 2016 at 8:05 am

    Pepper jack is my favorite for grilled cheese! LOVE the strawberry hot sauce idea!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 8:13 am

      Thank you so much Anna πŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake

    April 12, 2016 at 6:23 am

    Oh wow, I am drooling here! That Strawberry hot sauce, I think I’m in love! Sweet and spicy is my fave combo, add cheese and I’m SO THERE!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 8:13 am

      I love sweet and spicy too πŸ™‚ Hope you get a chance to try this out.

      Reply
  17. Sabrina

    April 12, 2016 at 1:02 am

    It doesn’t get better than a delicious melty grilled cheese! I love those flavors!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Agreed πŸ™‚

      Reply
  18. Mary

    April 11, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    This grilled cheese looks delicious. I had no idea it was National Grilled Cheese Day, thanks for letting me know.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 12, 2016 at 8:14 am

      I tend to miss most of the foodie holidays, but grilled cheese is just my favorite so I can’t miss that one πŸ™‚

      Reply
  19. Patricia @ Grab a Plate

    April 11, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    Oh-so tasty! Great sandwich! Good to know about Smart & Final — I wasn’t aware. I used to work for nonprofits, too, also in fundraising ;).

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Thank you so much Patricia πŸ™‚

      Reply
  20. Amanda | The Chunky Chef

    April 11, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    Oh wow, that looks so amazingly cheesy!! One amazing grilled cheese!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Totally filled with ooey gooes cheese πŸ™‚

      Reply
  21. Krista

    April 11, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    I thought I had tried the best grilled cheese already!

    Reply
  22. Roxana

    April 11, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    That strawberry hot sauce looks amazing! What a perfect blend of heat and sweet!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 3:33 pm

      Thank you Roxana πŸ™‚

      Reply
  23. Raia

    April 11, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    Wow. I’m a total grilled cheese nerd and all those flavors sound amazing together!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you Raia πŸ™‚

      Reply
  24. Julie at Hostess At Heart

    April 11, 2016 at 10:55 am

    This sandwich sounds amazing! I love the sweet and spicy flavors and ooey gooey cheese is always yummy!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 2:46 pm

      Definitely the ooey gooey cheese πŸ™‚

      Reply
  25. Tracy @ Served from Scratch

    April 11, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Wow! An amazing looking sandwich AND giving back to the community?! Talk about a win-win πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 11, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      Agreed…a company that gives back so willingly is worth supporting πŸ™‚

      Reply

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