Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

As a kid, we would eat these crispy Bulgarian Ham & Cheese Sandwiches every single day. There was nothing more satisfying than biting into that sandwich paired with a fresh, juicy tomato straight from our garden. Even today, it’s still one of our all-time favorite foods to eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Simple recipes like this one always transport us back to our childhood and there’s no better feeling than that!

What stands out

Just imagine, warm melted cheese and salty ham on top of crispy bread, enjoyed on a breezy summer day with a juicy and ripe tomato on the side. If this isn’t heaven, we don’t know what is. These sandwiches make a fantastic breakfast, lunch, or dinner option and are great for feeding a crowd, an after school snack or making them for a cozy night in.

How to Prepare Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Preheat the oven to 425F (225C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut baguette or sliced bread in half lengthwise and place it on the baking sheet.

Spread some butter on each bread half.

Layer folded ham slices on top of the bread, followed by a few cheese slices.

Bake in the oven until the cheese melts completely (approximately 10 to 15 minutes), or you can broil the sandwiches until the cheese is bubbly.

Once the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy, remove the Bulgarian Ham and Cheese from the oven and enjoy!

Kitchen tip

Feel free to use any bread you like or have on hand. We alternate between baguettes and sliced bread.

Swaps

By swapping ingredients and experimenting with flavors, you can make these sandwiches to suit any taste or dietary preference.

1. Experiment with different types of cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone. You can also mix different cheeses if you’d like.
2. Instead of ham, you can use other deli meats such as turkey, roast beef, or even salami.
3. Add dried herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme for extra flavor. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes or black pepper on your Bulgarian Ham and Cheese for a spicy kick.
4. Instead of butter, you could use a thin layer of mustardpesto or mayonnaise on the bread before adding the cheese and ham.
5. Instead of a baguette, you can use another type of bread such as ciabatta, sourdough, or whole wheat bread for your Bulgarian Ham and Cheese.
6. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and use sliced vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, or grilled mushrooms.
7. For a vegan sandwich, use vegan ingredients, such as plant-based cheese, butter, and meat.

Serve it with

• Ripe, sweet tomato slices on top
• A fresh green salad like our Green Goddess Salad
• Freshly made potato chips and your favorite pickles

Questions

How Do we store these Bulgarian Ham & Cheese Sandwiches?

To store, let them cool, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can we use another type of cheese?

You can use any cheese that melts well, such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone. You can also mix different cheeses for a unique flavor profile!

What type of bread should we use?

Feel free to use any bread of choice. We alternate between baguettes and sliced bread.

How do you serve these sandwiches?

These sandwiches are wonderful served with ripe, sweet tomato slices on top.

What is the best way to cook these Bulgarian Ham & Cheese Sandwiches?

You can bake these on the middle rack of the oven on 425F (220C) or BROIL them, which is the top element of the oven only. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn fast on broil.

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

• 1 6-inch baguette, cut in half
• 4 slices butter, I used grass-fed, salted butter
• 4 slices ham, I used black forest
• 2 slices cheese, I use Kashkaval but you can use any

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 425F (220C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. We like to use two 6-inch baguettes and cut them in half, but you can use any baguette or sliced bread that you like.
3. Cut the baguettes in half lengthwise, and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Add a few slices of butter onto each bread half.
4. Fold the ham in half and layer 2 to 3 slices on top followed by a few thin slices of cheese.
5. Bake until the cheese has fully melted. Our oven takes 10 to 15 minutes but cook time will depend on the oven.
6. A lot of times our parents/grandparents would only use the top element (broil) and just broil the sandwiches until the cheese was bubbly and melted so you can use this method too as opposed to baking at 425F.
7. Once the cheese is melted and the bread has crisped up, remove from the oven and enjoy!