In the list of ultimate comfort foods, the grilled cheese sandwich stands out as a top contender. As we mark National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day today, April 12, let's dive into different ways you can take your grilled cheese game to unprecedented heights.

Americans have a profound affection for grilled cheese sandwiches, devouring an estimated 2.3 billion of these delightful goodies within 12 months that ended in September 2022, based on data from The NPD Group's National Eating Trends and CREST foodservice tracking service. Additionally, the majority of these sandwiches were homemade, indicating an immense opportunity to get creative in your home kitchen.

The journey of the grilled cheese sandwich we relish today started with J.L. Kraft & Bros. Co., the foundational company for Kraft Foods, pioneering the production of processed cheese post-1914. Then, the Continental Baking Company started distributing sliced Wonder Bread in 1930, driving much of the sandwich culture we enjoy today. However, the addition of Kraft Singles, introduced the concept of a two-bread grilled cheese sandwich, ascending the dish to its iconic status.

"Grilled cheese sandwiches symbolize perfection in simplicity. Every culture has a unique spin on this gem, making it a worldwide classic," Eden Grinshpan, host of Top Chef Canada, explained.

Celebrity chef Carla Hall echoed this sentiment, adding that the comfort offered by a grilled cheese sandwich could turn into a disaster if not prepared with love and detail.

Hall suggested that adults could enjoy a more sophisticated experience by adopting different types of cheese and methods of preparing the bread. Small tweaks such as spreading butter evenly on both slices of the bread before putting them in the pan could improve the end product. Also, you could experiment with additions like mayonnaise, which brings about an even grilling effect and injects flavor, acidity, and salt into the mix. You could combine butter and mayonnaise for a tried-and-tested result.

Bread selection matters too, and while white bread remains the traditional choice, variants like Pullman loaf, country white, oatmeal, hearty wheat, and pumpernickel could offer different tastes and textures. Grinshpan recommended using fluffy bread such as fresh sourdough, challah, or pita for a unique twist.

As for the cheese, while American cheese is a classic, consider trying mild cheddar or a mix of sharper cheddar and Monterey Jack. Changing your cooking method by lowering the heat level and turning the sandwich more slowly can also yield flavorful results.

If you're up for experimentation and own an air fryer, Hall has discovered that it can work wonders for grilled cheese, toasting the sandwich evenly, resulting in a perfect combination of crunch and melt.

For those looking for a wild spin, celebrity chef Guy Fieri invented the Sausage, Mac 'n' Cheese Grilled Cheese Camping Sandwiches - a rich blend of multiple cheeses, sausage, and homemade mac 'n' cheese, enclosed in sweet bread and then toasted to golden brown perfection.

"A classic grilled cheese indeed is a delight, but sometimes, giving the classics a little extra attention brings incredible results," Fieri concluded.