Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
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Make the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Zupas right from home – you won’t believe how easy it is!
Recreate Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese whenever the cravings hit with this easy copycat recipe. You’ll only need a few ingredients, complete with vegan options.
It’s called the “Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich” for a reason, but did you know you can enjoy the same crispy, melty goodness using dairy-free ingredients?
Make Cafe Zupas’ crowd-favorite menu item right from the comfort of your own home with this Zupas Grilled Cheese copycat recipe.
Partner this crunchy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich with our vegan tomato soup or vegan cabbage soup for the best experience.
Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese Copycat Recipe
“Imagine a grilled cheese, but make it ultimate.”— This is Cafe Zupas’ social media caption for one of their most popular sandwiches, the Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese.
According to their website, the ooey-gooey cheese inside the Zupas Grilled Cheese is Tillamook cheddar cheese and Muenster cheese. Sounds simple, but pair them with crisp, golden-brown bread slices, tomatoes, and pesto spread, and you’ll understand why it’s crave-worthy for many.
But what if the restaurant is closed when the cravings hit, or perhaps you’re on a vegan and dairy-free diet?
This copycat Ultimate Grilled Cheese Zupas uses plant-based ingredients, including a homemade vegan Muenster cheese!
Why You’ll Love This Ultimate Grilled Cheese Zupas Recipe
- This Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese copycat recipe makes it easy and economical to enjoy the restaurant’s iconic sandwich. No need to go to Cafe Zupas, and all you’ll need are a few common pantry ingredients.
- A grilled cheese sandwich is everything a comfort food should be. The contrast between the buttery crisp exterior and melty cheese inside, made even better by the tomatoes and pesto, makes this sandwich worthy of being called “ultimate.”
- Zupas Grilled Cheese is perfect any time of the day! Enjoy it for breakfast with vegan scrambled eggs, as a side to stuffed peppers for lunch, or with tortilla soup for a fuss-free, comforting dinner.
Ingredients And Substitutions For Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Whole wheat sandwich bread – Crisps up beautifully with butter and offers a nutty flavor that goes well with the richness of the gooey cheese.
Butter (vegan) – Gives the Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese that mouthwatering, crunchy, golden-brown exterior.
Muenster cheese – To get as close as possible to the real thing, use Muenster and cheddar cheese for your Zupas grilled cheese sandwich.
Cheddar cheese (vegan) – Besides the creamy, buttery, and slightly tangy Muenster cheese, the Ultimate Grilled Cheese also uses the “best cheese for grilled cheese,” the ooey-gooey cheddar cheese.
Roma tomato – This tasty addition takes your homemade vegan grilled cheese sandwich from good to great. The added texture and flavor make the homemade grilled cheese feel more gourmet.
Pesto (vegan) – Use your favorite pesto in a jar!
Non-stick cooking spray – Keeps the sandwich from sticking to the pan.
For a vegan Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese, you’ll need a vegan Muenster cheese alternative. You can make it yourself using Miyoko Schinner’s recipe from Artisan Vegan Cheese.
It’s made from non-dairy yogurt, canola oil, tapioca flour, nutritional yeast, carrageenan powder, and salt.
Tips For Making Zupas Grilled Cheese
Banish the Sogginess
Place the tomato slices between the cheese slices so your bread won’t get soggy.
Grill on Medium Heat
Cook your Ultimate grilled cheese sandwich on medium heat. The skillet should be hot enough to toast the bread but not too hot that you’ll burn the bread before the cheese melts.
Use the Best Bread
This copycat Zupas Ultimate grilled cheese recipe uses whole wheat bread for a nice, brown crust, but you can also use sourdough or ciabatta.
Ultimate Grilled Cheese FAQs
What makes grilled cheese taste better?
Grilled cheese tastes better if it offers texture contrasts and flavors that complement each other. Try the classic comfort food with chopped steamed broccoli, caramelized onions, or peach jalapeno jam for a delicious change!
Is grilled cheese better with mayo or butter?
Some would argue that butter is the best choice for grilled cheese. However, the more spreadable mayonnaise allows you to cover the slices of bread evenly, and you might prefer the subtle tanginess it adds to the rich grilled cheese.
What can I use to make grilled cheese if I don’t have butter?
For a vegan grilled cheese sandwich, you can substitute butter with olive oil, coconut oil, or vegan butter.
Does vegan cheese melt well?
Some types of vegan cheese melt well, while others just soften. For a non-dairy take on your Ultimate Grilled Cheese, look for vegan cheese slices that melt beautifully.
What can I use instead of cheese in a grilled cheese?
You can use plant-based cheese for your vegan grilled cheese. These vegan mozzarella and cheddar cheese alternatives melt well! You can even make your own melty cheese alternative using nutritional yeast.
More Delicious Vegan Sandwiches
- Hummus Toast
- Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
- Vegan Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Meatless Vegan Lobster Roll
- Vegan Black Bean Burger
I found this recipe for Vegan Ballpark Hot Dogs that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole wheat sandwich bread
- 1 tbsp butter (vegan)
- 2 slices Muenster cheese
- 2 slices cheddar cheese (vegan)
- 1/2 Roma tomato, sliced
- 1 tbsp pesto (vegan)
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Grease with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
- Spread pesto on the unbuttered sides.
- Layer cheddar cheese, tomato slices, and Muenster cheese onto one of the prepared bread slices.
- Top with the other bread slice and place the assembled sandwich on the skillet. Cover to melt the cheese slices faster.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown.
- Slice your Zupas ultimate grilled cheese sandwich in half and dig in while it’s still warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Place the tomato slices between the cheese slices so your bread won’t get soggy.
- Cook your Ultimate grilled cheese sandwich on medium heat. The skillet should be hot enough to toast the bread but not too hot that you’ll burn the bread before the cheese melts.
- This copycat Zupas Ultimate grilled cheese recipe uses whole wheat bread for a nice, brown crust, but you can also use sourdough or ciabatta.
Updated in April 2024 with new photos and minor recipe adjustments for improved quality. Enjoy!
OH WOW! I’m so excited to try this. I love Zupas but it gets expensive going a lot :)! The photography is great! I found you through BYOB FB page. I’m excited to read some of your other posts.
I know what you mean Anita! Zupas can add up quickly, that’s for sure. That’s one reason I like to make restaurant-food at home! Thanks for coming by and I hope to meet you at BYBC in a few days!
Holly, this looks and sounds so delicious right now! Definitely going to try it–even though there’s a Zupas just down the road!
Oh man, I’d be in trouble if Zupas was right down the road from me all the time. I hope you try the sandwich!
Zupas is one of my mom’s favorite places to eat and she talked about it all the time! Thanks for this recipe!
I hope you try it out Lolli! You’ll love it – and your mom was totally spot-on – Zupas is amazing!
we don’t have Zupas, but I would kill for that grilled cheese right now!
oh my gosh Heather, I seriously may have to subject you to a Zupas meal while you’re here. If you’re into soup and sandwiches (who’s not?!), it’s a total winner! But if not, you could always make this sammie at home 🙂
Holly, that has FOR SURE happened to me!! And I usually cry. I don’t have Zupas in this ridiculous mid-western state, but I can imagine how good it is just based on your pictures of this sandwich. Yummm!! Pinning!
Yes, isn’t that the worst thing ever? All excited for your craving of the moment only to find out you can’t have it. So unfair!