The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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Nothing says comfort food better than a melty, hot grilled cheese sandwich. The best part is that this lunchtime classic takes no more than 5 minutes from start to finish.
Grilled cheese is a hot sandwich that is made from buttered bread filled with cheese. It is cooked till the bread turns golden brown, and the cheese is all melty.
If you’ve got a couple of pieces of sturdy bread, a whole lot of cheese, and some butter lying around in the fridge, then a buttery grilled cheese sandwich is just a few minutes away.
Table of contents
Why we love this recipe
Beyond being a quick and tasty recipe, this melted cheese sandwich stands out for numerous reasons:
Easy and quick to make – With just three ingredients and less than 5 minutes, you can quickly whip up this sandwich for lunch or a satisfying snack.
Portable – you can make these sandwiches in advance and pack them for work or school. Pack some creamy roasted tomato soup and a leafy green salad as well, for a complete meal.
How to make this recipe
Ingredients at a glance
- Bread – you can use whatever bread you love but make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the cheese. We love sourdough or rye bread for its high fiber content.
- Cheese – smooth, creamy, and melty cheese like cheddar (preferably sharp cheddar), provolone, Monterey jack, etc. Use plenty of it.
- Butter – butter gives the sandwich its golden brown hue. You don’t want to skip it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First, you need to assemble the sandwich; place two slices of cheese on one slice of bread. Make sure the cheese covers the entire surface. Cover with the other slice of bread.
- Preheat a grill pan or griddle on medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan and swirl the pan around to spread the butter evenly.
- Place the sandwich on the pan.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side till the cheese has melted and the bread has turned golden brown.
- Note: press down on the sandwich gently while cooking to brown evenly.
- Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.
- Serve with soup.
Recipe notes
Ingredient Substitutions
The best thing about this grilled cheese sandwich is that you can use pretty much any bread and melty cheese you have on hand. You will still be left with a delicious lunch.
- Bread – While you can use regular sliced bread from the grocery store, I would recommend using sourdough or rye bread to take it to the next level.
- Cheese – Instead of sharp cheddar, you can try Gouda cheese.
- Butter – Avocado oil is a good substitute for butter. I tried ghee as well, but it made the grilled cheese too heavy.
Variations
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can play around a little. These variations will take your grilled cheese game to the next level. You can add so many other ingredients to your grilled cheese, like:
- caramelized onions
- sliced apples, or pears
- bacon
- or even peanut butter, preferably crunchy
- you can also add pepperoni for a pizza grilled cheese sandwich
How to make ahead and storage tips
You can easily make your sandwiches ahead. After you remove the sandwiches from the pan, let them cool for 5 minutes. Cut your sandwiches into half or triangles. Wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a food storage bag. Store in the refrigerator.
Serve it with
Grilled Cheese and tomato soup are a combo made in (food) heaven. Pair it with this easy Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup for a delicious and quick lunch.
Lunch packing instructions
This toasted sandwich makes for a great lunch box option, along with tomato soup. Make sure to let the sandwich completely cool down before packing so that they don’t get soggy.
If you are looking for exciting lunchbox ideas that can be made quickly and easily, check out my eBook – The Lunchbox Cookbook: Easy Recipes for school and work lunches.
Frequently asked questions
Cheddar, mild or sharp (depending on your preference) it’s always a good idea when making grilled cheese. However, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or Gouda are all great options.
I prefer butter but mayo can be used instead too. Mayo has a higher smoke point than butter and that allows you to cook the sandwich at a higher temperature for a crispy exterior.
You can play around with your favorite ingredients. You can always try new and different combinations that can take your grilled cheese to the next level. Some ingredients you might want to consider are apple slices, avocado slices, tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, zucchinis, and peppers.
Other recipes you’ll love
Bombay Grilled Veggie Sandwich – not a fan of cheese? Then you’ll fall in love with this Bombay sandwich; bread slathered with butter and green chutney, layered with veggies, and then grilled to perfection.
Paneer Kathi Roll – weeknight dinner (or lunch) made in 30 minutes or less.
Open-Faced Sandwich – you’ll love this grilled open-faced sandwich where tangy cheese meets loads of veggies on freshly sliced bread.
Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sourdough or rye bread
- 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Place two slices of cheese on a slice of bread, slightly overlapping the cheese to cover the entire surface. Cover with another slice of bread.
- Repeat the process with the remaining bread slices. Set aside.
- Preheat an 11-inch grill pan or griddle on medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan. Swirl the pan to evenly spread the butter.
- Place the sandwich on the pan.
- Cook about 3-4 minutes on each side till the cheese has melted and the bread turns golden brown. Note: Press down on the sandwich gently while cooking to evenly brown.
- Repeat the process for the remaining sandwiches.
- Serve with soup.
Notes
Substitutions & variations
- While you can use regular sliced bread from the grocery store, I would recommend using sourdough bread to take it to the next level.
- Instead of sharp cheddar cheese, you can try Gouda cheese.
- Avocado oil is a good substitute for butter. I tried ghee as well, but it made the grilled cheese too heavy.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
