The BEST Grilled Cheese Recipe

We’re so excited about our Grilled Cheese Recipe we have for you all today! Nothing says easy comfort food like a grilled cheese sandwich. The ooey gooey cheese, buttery bread, and delicate crunch as you take each delicious bite make it easy to love this classic sandwich. Just thinking of it dunked into a bowl of steaming tomato soup has me dreaming of colder weather.

If making grilled cheese at home consists of slapping butter on any ol’ bread and shoving a slice of cheese in between, and you’re wondering what’s so special about this ordinary sandwich, you’re in the right place.

We have the BEST grilled cheese recipe, with tips and tricks to take this classic simple comfort food from so-so to absolutely mouth-watering. Once you get the basics, you can easily customize it exactly to your liking!

How to Make the BEST Grilled Cheese Recipe

You only need three ingredients for this classic grilled cheese recipe, so the quality of the ingredients matter. While it will taste good with white bread and American cheese, you deserve to let this grilled sandwich shine by following our easy tutorial.

Ingredients

Process

1. Spread 1 tablespoon of butter evenly over each slice of bread.
2. Turn one of the slices over and top with shredded cheese.

3. Gently press the other slice of bread (butter out) over the shredded cheese.
4. Place a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add grilled cheese. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until toasted on the bottom and the cheese begins to melt. Flip the grilled cheese, cover it with a lid, and continue to cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bottom is toasted.

5. Remove from heat, slice, and serve.

Why We Prefer Butter vs Oil or Mayonnaise

While you could use mayonnaise or oil to keep your grilled cheese from sticking, we prefer butter. These other options keep your bread from burning to the pan but don’t have the nostalgic, buttery, slightly salty flavor we’re going for.

Some people may argue that mayo and some oils have a higher smoke point than butter, but as long as you cook your grilled cheese over medium to medium-low heat and check it after 3-4 minutes, you don’t have to worry about the butter burning on your bread.

The Best Cheese For Grilled Cheese

We like a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, but you can use any type or combination of the ones below (they’re all great melting cheeses)!

• Sharp cheddar
• American
• Monterrey Jack
• Pepper Jack
• Gruyère
• Muenster
• Provolone
• Swiss
• Havarti
• Fontina

The Best Bread For Grilled Cheese

If you have access to a loaf of fresh sourdough bread, you can’t beat its texture and flavor for your grilled cheese. Here are some other great substitutes, depending on your preference and what you have on hand. Just make sure it’s thick and relatively sturdy so it doesn’t fall apart while cooking.

• Texas
• White
• 100% whole wheat
• Multigrain
• Sunflower
• Brioche
• Any “artisan-style” bread

Grilled Cheese Variations

While this recipe is as simple as three ingredients, you can always follow the same technique with these variations for a new spin.

Add a protein. Along with the cheese, add a slice or two of deli meat, roasted chicken, or roast beef.

Spread on the sauce. Add a smear of pesto, Chick-fil-A sauce, BBQ, buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, ranch, or marinara to your grilled cheese.

Other toppings. Add thinly sliced red onions, arugula, pickles, tomatoes, pickled onions, apple slices, or sauteed mushrooms to the sandwich before or after grilling.

How to Make Our Cheesy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese (as seen on IG)

We created a cheesy garlic bread version of our grilled cheese and people seemed to really enjoy it, so we’ve provided amounts and instructions below! You basically get our classic grilled cheese recipe, but with a crisp, cheesy, garlic bread exterior that takes this grilled cheese recipe over the top in a very good way!

1. Combine 3 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons thinly sliced chives, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small mixing bowl and whisk together.
2. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons butter evenly over each slice of bread.
3. Spread Parmesan onto a plate in an even layer and press one of the butter smeared bread slices (butter side down) into the parmesan. Gently shake to remove excess parm. Repeat with remaining bread slice.
4. Place a pan over medium-low heat. Once hot add one slice of bread (parm side down).
5. Top with shredded cheese and gently press the other slice of bread (butter/parm out) over the shredded cheese
6. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until toasted on the bottom and the cheese begins to melt.
7. Flip the grilled cheese, cover with a lid and continue to cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese has melted and bottom is toasted.
8. Remove from heat, slice and serve.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Here are a few pointers for the perfect grilled sandwich every single time.

Keep the heat low. Err on the side of caution and keep the heat medium to medium-low. Getting the pan too hot risks burning the outside of the sandwich before the cheese melts or before you realize it’s time to flip it over!

Use a heavy-bottomed pan. To avoid uneven cooking, especially if you’re making more than one grilled cheese at a time, use a pan that has good conduction for even heating, like cast iron or non-stick aluminum.

Cover the pan. Not all recipes tell you to cover the pan, but we find that this extra step helps the cheese melt and the bread stay chewy on the inside while the outside is perfectly toasted.

Don’t skimp on the butter. This ingredient does two things in this recipe, it adds amazing flavor and keeps the bread from sticking and burning. Don’t be afraid to spread it on thick!

What to Pair with Our Grilled Cheese Recipe

While chips and a pickle spear are enough to make this a nostalgic meal from your childhood, amplify your mealtime by serving it with one of these delicious sides!

• Tomato Basil Soup
• Animal-Style Fries
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Wedge Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
• Fried Pickle Chips
• Creamy Chicken and Farro Soup

Storing and Reheating Your Grilled Cheese

We recommend only making what you can eat at once, but if you are making them for a crowd and have a few extra, here’s the best way to store it.

1. Let the grilled cheese cool and wrap tightly in saran wrap.
2. Refrigerate for 1-2 days.
3. Add your grilled cheese to a pan and cover to warm back up. Heat the grilled cheese over low to medium-low heat on the stove for 1-2 minutes, then flip, cooking until the sandwich is warmed through and the cheese is melted again.

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