Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Crispy, Buttery and Melty

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Grilled cheese lovers, this one’s for you. All you need is a pan, a few pantry staples, and the right technique to get that perfect balance of buttery, golden bread and an ooey-gooey filling. It’s next-level good.

Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food—and my personal favorite when I’m craving something simple but satisfying. You might be thinking, “Do I really need a recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich?” It’s not so much about the recipe—grilled cheese is simple—it’s the details that matter. The ingredients you use and how you cook it make all the difference.

This version is a great starting point, but the best thing about grilled cheese is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you add a slice of ripe tomato, a smear of pesto sauce, caramelized onions, or something unexpected, the possibilities are endless.

“Thanks for a great recipe. I loved the two different cheeses.”

What You’ll Need To Make The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• Good-Quality Bread: A sturdy, bakery-style loaf like Italian bread from Whole Foods works well—it holds its shape and keeps the cheese from leaking out.
• Softened Butter or Mayonnaise: The choice is yours—use butter for rich flavor and a golden crust, mayo for easy spreading and even browning, or a mix of both for the best of both worlds.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts smoothly and brings that classic sharp flavor everyone loves in a grilled cheese.
• Shredded Gruyère Cheese: Adds a nutty, melty richness that pairs perfectly with the cheddar.
• Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the bread. Using a butter knife, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or softened butter on one side of each slice of bread.

Step 2: Assemble in the skillet. Preheat a nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place one slice of bread mayo/butter-side down in the pan. Layer on the cheddar, then sprinkle the shredded Gruyère over top. Finish with the second slice of bread, mayo/butter-side up.

Step 3: Cook the sandwich. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the bottom is golden and crisp. Pressing gently with a spatula as it cooks helps create even contact with the pan, encouraging an ultra-crisp crust. Carefully flip and cook the other side for another few minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is evenly browned. (If the bread is browning too fast before the cheese melts, lower the heat to give it more time to get gooey inside.)

Step 4: Rest and serve. Transfer the sandwich to a cutting board and let sit for a minute. Resting for a minute helps the cheese set slightly so it doesn’t ooze out the moment you cut the sandwich. Slice in half and serve while warm—great with tomato soup or veggie soup. For a comforting meal, pair the sandwiches with tomato soup or vegetable soup.

Variations On Basic Grilled Cheese

• Apple & Brie Grilled Cheese: Combine creamy Brie with thin slices of tart green apple and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Use a hearty white bread or whole grain bread for a delicious contrast in textures.
• Pesto & Mozzarella Grilled Cheese: Spread a layer of pesto on each slice of crusty Italian bread, then layer with sliced or shredded whole-milk mozzarella and a few slices of ripe tomato.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto & Fontina Grilled Cheese: Slather sun-dried tomato pesto onto each slice of crusty Italian bread, and layer it with shredded fontina cheese.
• Fig Jam & Gouda Grilled Cheese: Spread a thin layer of sweet fig jam on each slice of bread and pair it with melty smoked Gouda cheese for a sweet and savory combo.
• Caramelized Onion & Swiss Grilled Cheese: Pair caramelized onions with Swiss cheese for a sweet and nutty flavor. Use seeded rye bread, which pairs beautifully with the onions and melted cheese.

Video Tutorial

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