Here's how to make grilled cheese sandwich so it's perfect each time. And by perfect, I mean, melting oozing cheese between slices of crisp, buttery bread that's utterly seductive and totally satisfying. Because for me, when it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a grilled cheese sandwich.
Best of all, making a really great grilled cheese sandwich takes almost no effort yet can be as gratifying as a dish that takes all day to cook and with just some basic ingredients. Now we're talking!
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Keys to a Great Grilled Cheese (a classic sandwich)
- Use a nonstick or well-season cast iron skillet or griddle. This avoids sticking, even when some of the cheese oozes out of the sides. If using a skillet, you should good the sandwiches in batches. (See air-fryer directions below.)
- Use butter on the bread to deliver a grilled cheese that's equally crispy, flavorful, and rich.
- Heat the pan well and have a lid handy. The hot dry pan helps to crisp the buttered bread. Pop the lid on just long enough for the cheese to begin to melt before you flip it.
- Press the sandwich firmly with a spatula after flipping. the bread needs maximum contact with the pan for the most crispiness. Just before they're done, flip and agian and press to ensure crunch.
The Best Cheese
The most important ingredient in the grilled cheese sandwich is obviously the cheese. Pick a good-quality cheese, and if you want that oozy, creamy, melted cheese center, be sure it's a good melter.
Plan on one to two ounces of cheese per sandwich. Instead of using slices, I like to coarsely grate the cheese using the largest holes on a box grater, because grated cheese melts faster and more evenly. (Cheeses like Brie and fresh goat cheese can't be grated, of course, so just remove any rind, which won't melt, and slice or spread the cheese.) Experiment with different cheeses.
Good grilled cheese suggestions:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Sharp Cheddar
- Emmental
- Fontina
- Gruyere
- Havarti
- Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby jack
- Mozzarella
- Swiss cheese
- American cheese
- Smoked Gouda
- Provolone
The Bread
Bread slices that are on the thin side works the best for grilled cheese. I usually find that ¼-inch thick slices give good, crisp results. Thickly sliced, chewy-textured bread competes with the melty cheese, which is the star of this show. Regular sliced white bread will do the job, but I prefer something with more flavor and substance. For some different types of bread, consider a good sourdough bread, Italian country bread, egg bread, or rye.
The Cooking Fat
The best grilled cheese sandwich is made with butter, which supplies flavor, richness, and that classic toasty golden color to the bread. there are some people that like to use mayo and butter together. I've tried it and it's good, but I am a bit of a purist, so use just butter. Spread the butter right on the bread rather than to melt it in the pan. If the butter is cold, it won't spread easily and will rip into your bread, so pop a stick in the microwave for five seconds to soften it.
My Top 10 Favorite Combinations
1. Grilled Mozzarella, Smear of Pesto, and Thin Sliced Capicola (Italian spicy ham)
2. Gilled Mozzarella and Parmesan with Fresh Tomato Slices and Basil
3. Grilled Goat Cheese with Figs and Tapenade
4. Grilled Gruyere with Thin Sliced Ham
5. Grilled Cheddar Cheese and Kimchee
6. Grilled Monterey Jack, Crispy Bacon, and Pickled Jalapeño
7. Grilled Monterey Jack, Blue Cheese, Shredded Chicken, and Frank's Hot Sauce
8. Grilled Mozzarella, Thin Sliced Pepperoni, and Fresh Basil
9. Grilled Fontina Cheese and Sautéed Mushrooms
10. Grilled Brie, Bacon, and Blackberry Jam
Don't Forget the Soup
Easy grilled cheese and tomato soup are a classic combo for good reason - they taste great together. Here is an easy Homemade Tomato Soup recipe to enjoy with your sandwich. It's my favorite soup and sandwich combo for a quick lunch.
Can I make grilled cheese in an air-fryer?
You can, and some love it. Here's how: Place the assembled grilled cheese in an air fryer. Cook at 375° F until the top is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip the sandwich and continue to cook until golden brown all over and the cheese is completely melted, 2 to 4 minutes more. Cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately. Please note: Settings may vary on your air fryer depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer’s guide.
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Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 tsp. salted butter, at room temperature
- 8 slices (¼ inch thick) Italian country bread or sourdough
- 6 oz. coarsely grated Cheddar
Instructions
- Butter all the bread slices on one side only. Put four slices of bread, buttered side down, on a cutting board. Distribute the cheese over the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread, buttered side up.
- To cook the sandwiches: Heat a large nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Put as many sandwiches as will fit in the pan or on the griddle without crowding, cover, and cook until the cheese has just begun to melt and the bread is golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Remove the lid and turn the sandwiches, pressing each one firmly with a spatula to flatten it slightly. Cook the sandwiches uncovered until the bottom is golden brown, about 1 minute. Turn them once more and press with the spatula again to recrisp the bread, about 30 seconds.
- Cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
Nutrition
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