Best Grilled Cheese

This Best Grilled Cheese is easy to make and loved by everyone. It’s easily changed up, but this version is our go-to!

This Best Grilled Cheese is one of the kids’ favorites!! They’re also huge fans of Pigs in a Blanket, Chicken Tenders, and Pizza Casserole.

Best grilled cheese sandwich on a plate with a side of tomato soup.

A Family Classic: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Can we all agree that Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are THE BEST?!

It’s become a tradition in our home to make them every Sunday for lunch after getting home from church. We sometimes have homemade White Bread handy – even better!

While we love the classic, we usually change it up based on the kid and if they like it with just cheese or maybe a little ham.

No matter how you make it, I think it’s safe to say that this Best Grilled Cheese is an American classic – definitely a family classic for us. Serve it up with a bowl of soup, especially our favorite Tomato Soup!

Ingredients for grilled cheese recipe on a cutting board.

The ingredients

Artisan bread. You can use anything from white bread to tight crumb artisan bread. Artisan bread covers many different types of bread, but in general, is used to identify rustic-looking homemade bread with a crusty exterior. Often you can find packages of bread labeled “Artisan Bread”.

Sourdough bread, challah, ciabatta, hearth, Italian, baguettes, rye, and brioche are just a few more of the many types of artisan bread.

Make it crusty. I do suggest that whatever type of bread you use is a couple of days old. The drier bread lends to a better-browned crust.

To speed along the process, briefly place the slices in a toaster just long enough to get them dry, but not long enough to toast. We actually used a few slices of our Easy Homemade Bread recipe – so good!

The best cheese. American cheese and Cheddar cheese are classic choices, but you can use pretty much any cheese that you love as long as they are within the “melting family”. I once came across a Gordan Ramsey recipe where he used a combination of romano with Pepperberry & Asiago cheese.

Some more ideas include:

  • Mozzarella
  • Gruyere
  • Provolone
  • Fontina
  • Taleggio
  • Raclette
  • Muenster
  • Colby
  • Monterey Jack
  • Swiss Cheese
  • Brie
  • Havarti
  • Sharp Cheddar

How to Make Grilled Cheese

Making the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich is beyond simple!

ASSEMBLE. Butter up one side of bread (you could use mayo instead) and sprinkle with garlic salt. Lay the butter side down on the skillet or in a heated pan, add the cheese, and then add the other piece of buttered bread.

TOAST. Cook until golden brown (or desired toastiness) on both sides and the cheese is melted.

Make ’em mini. Smaller slices of bread are fun to use to create mini sandwiches. Mini bread slices are perfect to pair with various types of cheese to give guests a chance to sample them all.

Grilled cheese sandwiches cooking in a pan.

Variations

  • Add a spread onto the inside of the bread. Mayonnaise, deli mustard, or softened cream cheese are both yummy choices. Be sure to do a thin layer and wall-to-wall coverage with any spreads that you use.
  • Minced garlic. Mix the softened butter with finely minced garlic before spreading it on the outside of the bread.
  • Seasoning. Sprinkle with black pepper, garlic salt, or paprika.
  • Add meat. Include a layer of pepperoni, ham, or bacon.
  • Make it gourmet. For even more flavor, add a layer of caramelized onions or sliced apples.
Two grilled cheese sandwiches cooking in a pan.

Perfect grilled cheese tips

  • Using a heavy-bottomed pan or an electric griddle really helps the sandwich cook and brown evenly. 
  • A panini press is also a great option. Just be sure that the ingredients inside the sandwich don’t get squished out under the weight of the press. 
  • Because the bread has a coating of butter, no need to worry about the pan having a nonstick coating.
  • Start with a cold pan. This allows for the bread to create a delicious crust while the cheese melts. If you are making several sandwiches then reduce the pan heat between batches 

A hand pulling apart a grilled cheese sandwich.

Serving and Storing

SERVE your Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a pickle and chips, or a classic bowl of Tomato Soup. Any of these soups would also be delicious:

STORE. Wrap the cooled leftover sandwiches in aluminum foil. They can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days.

FREEZE. Wrap each sandwich with plastic wrap then again with foil. Freeze for 1-2 months. 

To reheat. Reheating leftover Grilled Cheese on the stovetop works the best. You can also use a toaster oven, or a microwave if you’re in a hurry. 

  • Stovetop: Heat up a heavy-bottomed pan. If the sandwich is frozen then only use low heat, otherwise use medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan.
  • Cover the pan with the lid, but be sure to place it on there crooked so that the steam doesn’t build up.
  • Heat both sides of the sandwich until warm and the cheese is melty
Best grilled cheese sandwich on a plate with a side of tomato soup.

For Even More Sandwiches:

Best Grilled Cheese Recipe

5 from 9 votes
This Best Grilled Cheese is easy to make and loved by everyone. It's easily changed up, but this version is our go-to!
Course Main Course, sandwich
Cuisine American
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 286 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 8 bread slices artisan, sourdough, homemade
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • butter
  • garlic salt (with parsley flakes)

Instructions
 

  • Butter up one side of bread (you could use mayo instead) and sprinkle with garlic salt. Lay it on the skillet or in a heated pan, add the cheese, and then add the other piece of buttered bread.
  • Cook until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted.

Like this recipe?

Pin it now to remember it later! Share it with your Facebook friends (you know they’ll love it). Or tweet it to the world. Maybe even email it to your favorite cousin!

Related Posts

Hawaiian Haystacks

Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings! Hawaiian Haystacks are the ultimate weeknight dinner go-to. They’re quick, easy,…

35 minutes minutes

5 from 13 votes

Turkey Burger Recipe

This lean & juicy turkey burger recipe is packed with flavor but light on calories. They are a perfectly delicious addition to your next BBQ! You wouldn’t guess this delicious…

13 minutes minutes

5 from 9 votes

Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite! My favorite thing about this pasta salad is that it’s lighter, healthier,…

15 minutes minutes

5 from 10 votes

Chicken Caesar Salad

This chicken caesar salad is jam-packed with filling ingredients. It’s so flavorful, you won’t believe how simple it is to make! If you like how hearty and filling this chicken…

10 minutes minutes

5 from 19 votes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

Join the Conversation

Rate and Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    Grilled cheese is a definite here. My son love love loves grilled cheese. He absolutely loves this recipe!

  2. 5 stars
    My hubby makes us grilled cheese all the time, but I think we need to switch to this bread! Looks so soft & cheesy!

  3. 5 stars
    I love the taste of using sourdough bread! Really easy and delicious to pair with a bowl of soup.

  4. Try adding some shredded parmesan cheese to the outside before frying the sandwich. It will kick it up to gourmet!