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The Kennedys’ White House chef has shared several of the first lady’s favorites over the years.

Key Points

• Jackie Kennedy’s favorite sandwich was a simple, comforting grilled cheese, loved since childhood.
• Her go-to lunch paired a slim sandwich or grilled cheese with a cup of broth for a cozy midday meal.
• French cuisine influenced her palate, but she also enjoyed classic comfort foods like lamb and ice cream.

Former First Lady Jackie Kennedy is well known for hosting high-profile events at the White House and dressing in an iconic, classic style that not only influenced 1960s fashion but still has an impact today. And it wasn’t just her hostessing skills or fashion sense that made Kennedy noteworthy. Fans of the first lady have been fascinated by what she ate, too, embracing snacks she loved, like cottage cheese and fruit, in their own diets.

As it happens, Kennedy’s favorite sandwich was perhaps as iconic as she was. In the book In the Kennedy Style: Magical Evenings in the Kennedy White Houseauthor Letitia Baldridge shares menus and recipes from chef René Verdon, who served as chef to the Kennedys during their administration. Baldridge explains that Kennedy’s go-to sandwich was a warm, toasty, two-ingredient classic.

“Although the Kennedys had sophisticated palates,” she wrote, “they enjoyed comfort foods, as well. Grilled cheese sandwiches had been a favorite of Jackie’s since childhood, while the President enjoyed a hot bowl of soup, particularly Boston clam chowder.”

And in Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White Houseauthor Alex Prud’homme also dished on Kennedy’s love of a good grilled cheese, quoting Verdon as saying, “She took her breakfast—orange juice, toast with honey and coffee with skim milk—on a tray in bed, where she would read the paper and play with her children, Caroline and John. Her lunch was a cup of broth and a slim sandwich, though she sometimes indulged in a grilled cheese. Her favorite dinner was cold poached salmon, followed by lamb with potatoes, string beans and ice cream.”

Prud’homme also points out that Kennedy’s father’s family—the Bouviers—originated in the Provence region of France, making French food a favorite of hers. It’s no surprise, then, that bread and cheese are two ingredients Kennedy loved to enjoy.

But the former First Lady isn’t the only notable individual who appreciates a delicious grilled cheese. Actor Stanley Tucci upgrades his grilled cheese sandwiches by using mozzarella cheese and adding a bit of prosciutto. Actor Kate Winslet loves a classic combo: toasty grilled cheese and savory tomato soup, and celebrity chef Ina Garten adds some grilled cheese croutons to her tomato soup to make the iconic meal even more comforting.

Truly, Kennedy’s beloved soup-and-grilled-cheese combo may be one of the most iconic comfort-food duos out there. And since Kennedy preferred broth to tomato soup, the dish would definitely make a cozy midday meal if you paired it with some bone broth.

Kennedy’s go-to lunch combo sounds like a great meal to us. If you’re looking to dress up your grilled cheese a bit more, consider trying some of our twists on the classic. Whether you prefer adding veggies or even going for a fruitier route, there’s something extra-special about melty cheese and toasty bread, whether you’re eating it at the White House or in your kitchen.