Look no further for the best-grilled cheese sandwich recipe! Melted cheese, nestled between two thick slices of bread. Thick, buttered-up slices of bread perfectly balance the goodness of the cheese. Enjoy this grilled cheese alone or accompanied by creamy tomato basil soup!

Level up your sandwich by using your very own homemade bread! You can also turn this perfect grilled cheese sandwich into a gourmet cheese sandwich by adding crispy bacon, pepper, and onion!

Grilled cheese sandwiches stacked on top top of each other with cheese oozing out.

This classic american recipe is a staple in many households primarily due to its lack of complexity. Anyone can enjoy a homemade grilled cheese sandwich with some cheese and bread. However, we’ve found a way to make it stand out amongst other grilled cheeses. With just an extra key ingredient, you get the crispiest bread and the most flavorful sandwich. 

If you love cheesy sandwiches, try our breakfast monte cristo

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Few ingredients. All it takes for the best cheese sandwich is three ingredients and seasoning.
  • Diverse. You can make this grilled cheese sandwich your own by customizing the cheese and adding meat and veggies!
  • Comforting. The melted cheese, along with the toasted bread, makes for an incredibly soothing meal. We know you’ll love it paired with any of our homemade soup recipes
All the ingredients for making a grilled cheese, displayed on a cutting board.

Ingredients for this Grilled Cheese Sandwich: 

You’ll only need three ingredients; it’s so easy!

  • Butter – softened butter mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. 
  • French bread – thick slices make for the best sandwich. 
  • Cheese – slices of American cheese or mild cheddar cheese. 

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Expert Tip for Leveling Up Your Sandwich 

Add some refreshing flavor to your sandwich, and spread a thin layer of homemade pesto onto the inside of half the slices of bread. 

A large grilled cheese sandwich cut in half, displaying a cheese pull.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Protein: Add turkey, chicken, or ham slices to your sandwich to make it extra filling. 
  • Cheese: You can use your favorite cheese, whether shredded or sliced. 
  • Garlic bread: Add fresh minced garlic to the butter to turn your sandwich into a garlic bread cheese sandwich, offering an incredible flavor. 

How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Two open sandwiches, showing one slice of bread topped with cheese.

Step 1 – Assemble: Spread the seasoned butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Add slices of cheese to half the pieces of bread and close with the other.

A golden brown grilled cheese sandwich being toasted on a skillet.

Step 2 – Cook: Spread butter on the outside bread slices and toast in a skillet or a griddle over low to medium heat until the bread is golden brown. Flip to get the other side toasted to perfection. 

Pro Tips for Getting the PERFECT Cheese Pull

  • Melted cheese: For the cheese to fully melt, you may need to lower the temperature and cover the skillet for a few minutes. 
  • Cheese it up: Add a variety of melty cheese to give your sandwich a unique flavor profile. 

Serving Suggestions

Soup: The grilled cheese pairs perfectly with hearty vegetable soup or tomato soup

Salad: A hot grilled cheese is complemented well by a heavier salad. Our bbq chicken salad is a great option to create a complete meal! 

A perfectly golden brown grilled cheese sandwich.

More Cooking Methods:

Air-fryer: Like our air-fried cheese quesadilla, make your grilled cheese healthier. Set the sandwich in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese melts and the bread crispy.

Recipe FAQs

What cheese is best for grilled cheese? 

You want to use cheese that melts well and has flavor. You can use mozzarella cheese or Monterey jack on an excellent pull and add Gouda, Cheddar, or Havarti for added flavor.

Why is my bread burning before the cheese melts? 

Burnt bread could be the result of the heat being too high. Cook the sandwich over medium-low heat to allow the cheese to melt. 

What’s the best bread for grilled cheese? 

You can use sandwich bread, sourdough, or any bread you have. We like using French bread because of how fluffy it turns out. 

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Serve this sandwich immediately for the best results, but if you have leftovers, you can tightly wrap them and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
  • Reheat. Warm the refrigerated sandwich on a skillet over low heat until warm again. 
  • Freeze. You can freeze the grilled cheese sandwich in a freezer-safe container. Reheat: On a skillet over low-medium heat, warm the sandwich until it’s thawed and reheated. 

More Sandwich Recipes

If you enjoyed this grilled cheese recipe, be sure to try our other popular sandwich recipes; here are some favorites:

If you tried this Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Classic Grilled Cheese Recipe

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 6 votes
There's nothing like the heart-warming comfort that a homemade grilled cheese sandwich will bring you. Gooey cheese melted between crispy bread slices.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter room temp
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • 4 thick slices of French bread
  • 4 oz of shredded cheese American or mild cheddar

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine butter and seasoning. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
  • With the bread facing buttered side up, evenly spread cheese slices onto half your bread slices. Close with an empty piece of bread.
  • Spread butter on the outside of the sandwich.
  • Gently place the sandwich into a skillet and cook over low-medium heat. Flip the sandwich once the bottom is golden-brown.
  • Once both sides are lightly toasted and the cheese melts, remove from the heat and enjoy!

Notes

  • Cooking: If the bread is toasting faster than the cheese is melting, turn down the heat and cover with a lid for a few minutes. 
  • Air-fry: Place the sandwich in the basket of your air fryer and set it to 350°F for 6-8 minutes. 
  • Storage: Serve this sandwich immediately for best results, but you can also store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

292kcal Calories15g Carbs10g Protein22g Fat13g Saturated Fat60mg Cholesterol323mg Sodium79mg Potassium1g Fiber2g Sugar634IU Vitamin A250mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Grilled Cheese Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 323mg14%
Potassium 79mg2%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 634IU13%
Calcium 250mg25%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)