How to Cook Hot Ham & Cheese in the Oven

A hot sandwich offers a tasty twist on a lunch standard. Toasted bread with warm ham and melted cheese makes a delicious and satisfying meal, easily qualifying as comfort food. Keep it healthy by using whole grain bread, or indulge by building it on a dinner roll or flaky croissant. Prepare the meal in the oven and you can skip the butter it would take to make it on the stove. This keeps the fat and calorie count down, and eliminates the need for close monitoring and precarious flipping. However, the bread won't be as crispy and crunchy out of the oven.

Things You'll Need

Baking tray
Aluminum foil
Cooking oil
Bread

Mustard, mayo or other condiments
Deli sliced ham
Swiss or other cheese
Tomato, onions or other toppings

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with a piece of aluminum foil and lightly grease it with cooking oil to prevent the bread from sticking.
Spread condiments -- such as Dijon mustard or mayonnaise -- on each slice of bread. Don't hesitate to combine condiments, such as mustard and mayo. Spread on orange marmalade for a less-common taste.
Stack thinly sliced deli ham on one piece of bread. About 4 ounces is appropriate for one sandwich. Too much meat may take longer to heat.
Top the ham with one or two slices of cheese. Choose Swiss for a classic pairing, pepperjack for a little spice or brie for a richer, creamier finished product. Use cheese slices that are thin so they melt efficiently.
Add toppings, such as diced tomato, an onion slice or canned mushrooms that have been blotted dry.
Press the second slice of bread on top of the sandwich and carefully center it on the lined baking tray. Put it into the middle of the oven and bake until the bread browns and the cheese melts. It should take about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your sandwich components.

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