Picture this: golden-brown, crispy bread encasing a molten core of gooey, stretchy cheese. That’s the magic of a perfect grilled cheese sandwich, and I’m here to show you how to make the best one you’ve ever tasted. This isn’t just any grilled cheese – it’s a gourmet experience that’s still incredibly simple to whip up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity at its finest: With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-quality sandwich.
- Texture paradise: The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the creamy interior is simply irresistible.
- Customizable: While this recipe is a knockout as-is, it’s also a great base for experimenting with different cheeses and add-ins.
- Comfort food supreme: There’s nothing quite like a grilled cheese to lift your spirits and satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sourdough bread: The tangy flavor and sturdy texture make it perfect for grilling. It’s the foundation of our sandwich.
- Mayonnaise: Secret weapon for achieving that perfectly golden crust. Trust me on this one!
- Butter: Adds richness and helps with browning. It’s the key to that irresistible aroma.
- Aged cheddar cheese: Brings a sharp, complex flavor that elevates the sandwich.
- Gruyère cheese: Melts like a dream and adds a nutty depth to the flavor profile.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to mix things up? Try these delicious twists:
- Add crispy bacon or thinly sliced ham for a meaty kick
- Tuck in some sliced tomatoes or caramelized onions for extra flavor
- Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the inside for a tangy bite
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella and provolone
How to Make the Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Bread
Heat up your skillet over medium heat. While it’s warming, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice. This is your ticket to golden-brown perfection!
Step 2: Start the Sandwich
Once your pan is hot, add a teaspoon of butter and let it melt. Place one slice of bread, mayo-side down, in the pan. Quickly pile on your grated cheeses – don’t be shy, really mound it up!
Step 3: Assemble and Cook
Top with the second slice of bread, mayo-side up. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes until the bottom is a beautiful golden brown.
Step 4: Flip and Finish
Add another teaspoon of butter to the pan, then carefully flip your sandwich. If your cheese mountain is still intact, gently press down with your spatula to help it melt. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until this side is also golden brown.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Transfer your masterpiece to a wire rack or plate and let it rest for 2 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice and eat without burning your mouth!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Grate your own cheese! Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent that perfect melt.
- Keep the heat at medium. Patience is key for perfectly melted cheese and evenly toasted bread.
- Don’t skip the resting step. It makes a world of difference in texture and temperature.
How to Serve
Serve your grilled cheese hot off the pan with a side of tomato soup for the ultimate comfort food combo. For a lighter option, pair it with a crisp green salad to balance out the richness.
Make Ahead and Storage
While grilled cheese is best enjoyed fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Grate the cheese and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you have leftovers (though that’s rare!), wrap the sandwich in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat to restore its crispy exterior.
FAQs
Can I use different types of bread?
Absolutely! While sourdough is fantastic, you can use any sturdy bread you like. Just avoid very thinly sliced bread as it may not hold up to the cheese.
Why use mayonnaise on the outside of the bread?
Mayonnaise spreads more easily than butter and creates a perfectly crisp, golden-brown exterior. It also adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements the cheese beautifully.
Can I make this in a panini press?
Yes! A panini press works great for grilled cheese. Just be sure not to press too hard, or you’ll squeeze out all that gooey cheese.
How can I prevent my sandwich from becoming greasy?
Use a good quality, aged cheese and don’t overdo it with the butter in the pan. A little goes a long way in creating that perfect crisp exterior.
There you have it – the secret to creating the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich. With its crispy exterior, gooey center, and complex flavor profile, this sandwich is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. So fire up that skillet and get ready to experience grilled cheese nirvana!
Print
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Grilled Cheese sandwich recipe combines the tangy flavor of sourdough bread with the rich, melty goodness of aged cheddar and gruyère cheeses. The secret to its perfect golden-brown crust? A combination of mayonnaise and butter for ultimate crispiness and flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread, 1/2-inch thick
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1/3 cup grated aged cheddar cheese (35g)
- 1/3 cup grated gruyère cheese (35g)
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Start by heating your skillet to ensure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to cook the sandwich.
- Prepare the bread: Spread one side of each piece of bread with the mayonnaise.
- The mayonnaise will create a crispy, golden-brown exterior on the bread when cooked.
- Start cooking: Add 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet. Once it melts, place one slice of bread mayonnaise side down in the skillet. Top with the cheeses (mound them up!), then the other slice of bread, mayonnaise side up.
- This step begins the cooking process and allows the cheese to start melting.
- Cook first side: Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt.
- This ensures even cooking and adds extra flavor to the second side of the sandwich.
- Flip and cook second side: Flip the sandwich into the freshly melted butter, then move it to the center of the pan. If the cheese is still mounded up on the inside, press down on the top of the bread with the back of the spatula to flatten it slightly.
- Flipping the sandwich allows both sides to become crispy and golden-brown.
- Finish cooking: Cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, until the bottom piece of bread is golden brown.
- This final cooking step ensures the cheese is fully melted and the bread is perfectly toasted.
- Rest and serve: Place the sandwich on a wire rack or plate and let it sit for 2 minutes before slicing.
- Allowing the sandwich to rest helps the cheese set slightly, making it easier to slice and eat.
Notes
- Don’t let the skillet get too hot. Slower cooking is better to melt the cheese in the center and toast the bread without burning it.
- Grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-clumping agents that make it more difficult to melt. For ultimate ooey-gooey cheesiness, use freshly grated cheese.
- Cheese swap: You can use a slice of cheese in place of shredded cheese to save time. However, just like with preshredded cheese, presliced cheese isn’t always the gooiest when melted.
- Adjust the quantity of cheese. Depending on the size of the bread, use more or less grated cheese than used in this recipe so it fits well on the bread and you have a generous amount of cheese in the sandwich.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
