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There is something so comforting and delicious about a classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Each bite is loaded with melted cheese that is creamy and amazing. You can’t go wrong once you learn how to make the best grilled cheese.
The best grilled cheese sandwiches are golden brown on the outside and ooey gooey on the inside with cheesy goodness. We are going to show you how to make the perfect grilled cheese. This is the ultimate sandwich recipe and an easy lunch idea for kids. For another easy kids lunch idea, make this Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Rolls.
Check out these other Grilled Cheese Sandwiches that your entire family will love – Starbucks Grilled Cheese Recipe, Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese, and Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe.
What's in this post: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese
Since there are so few things needed to make a grilled cheese sandwich, you want to have really good ingredients.
You want to have good bread and good cheese. They are the star of the show so I would recommend buying really good thick bread such as sourdough or Homemade Artisan bread.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Bread Types – Feel free to use different types of bread. Try using garlic bread for a change. We have even use sour dough and brioche for a delicious variation.
- Cheeses – Experiment with different types of grated cheese or even combine a couple. American Cheese, gouda, Gruyère, fontina, Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack, parmesan cheese and sharp cheddar cheese are delicious.
- Vegetables Add a slice of tomato, red peppers, or red onions for added flavor. Caramelized onions are an amazing addition.
- Spread – Add a spread on the bread before topping with cheese. Pesto or jam is a delicious addition. We have even added peanut butter or 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle a little salt before topping the bread with cheese. Gives your sandwich more flavor.
- Add Meat – We love to add a slice of ham or bacon for a heartier sandwich.
The options are endless for grilled cheese sandwiches! It is one our favorite comfort foods to enjoy and so simple.
How to Make a Grilled Cheese
- Step 1 – Heat a griddle or large cast iron skillet over medium low heat until warm.
Step 2 – Spread the mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread on top. You can also use softened butter.
Step 3 – Place 3 of the slices of bread on the griddle or pan with the mayonnaise side down or butter-side down.
Step 4 – Top each piece of bread with the sliced cheddar cheese and then second slice of bread with the mayonnaise side out.
Step 5 – Heat the sandwich until the bread is a golden brown color which will take approximately 4-6 minutes.
- Step 6 – Flip and heat the opposite side until that piece of bread is also golden brown and cheese melts approximately 4-6 minutes.
- Step 7 – Serve the perfect grilled cheese sandwich warm and enjoy. It is so easy and each bite is so yummy with a crispy crust.
Recipe Tips
- Skillet Recommendations – We love to use a griddle! I don’t know about you, but I use an electric griddle all the time. Not only does it make perfect grilled cheese but you can do several at one time. You can also use a cast iron griddle if you prefer. It fits over two burners and also allows me to make several at once.
- Cooking Grilled Cheese – The cooking time will vary based on the type of griddle you use and the bread. I like my grilled cheese a little burnt, so I like to leave it on just a little longer.
Serving Suggestions
Our favorite thing to pair with grilled cheese is this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe or Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. There is just something about tomato soup and grilled cheese. Such a delicious combination.
We also like Creamy Vegetable Soup Recipe, Crock Pot Potato Soup and Easy Crock Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup. Both of these are also so easy and tasty served with grilled cheese. You can also serve with Panera Fuji Apple Salad.
If the kids don’t care for soup, serve it with cut up veggies and French fries or check out What to Serve with Grilled Cheese for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mayo! Yes, you read that correctly. You need mayonnaise to make the best grilled cheese. Just a little bit on the sandwich helps make everything extra creamy and delicious. You don’t need much so just try it.
Even my non mayonnaise loving kids love it this way. Trust me. It is amazing melted with the cheese.
Cheddar is always a crowd favorite and melts really well. We used cheddar slices to make our great grilled cheese sandwiches and it was a huge hit. Other favorites include colby, provolone and muenster for a milder taste.
The key is using medium low heat. Using too high of heat can cause the grilled cheese to burn on the outside and the cheese on the inside not to melt all the way.
The mayo also will help to coat the bread making this the perfect grilled cheese.
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If you make The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 6 slices your favorite type of bread – we used sour dough
- 6 oz sliced cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions
- Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat until warm.
- Spread the mayonnaise on 1 side of each of the pieces of bread.
- Place 3 of the slices of bread on the griddle or skillet with the mayonnaise side down.
- Top each piece of bread with the sliced cheddar cheese and another piece of bread with the mayonnaise side out.
- Heat the sandwich until the bread is a golden brown color which will take approximately 4-6 minutes.
- Flip and heat the opposite side until that piece of bread is also golden brown approximately 4-6 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
My favorite way to make a Grilled cheese sandwich
Yesss! Simple yet great. I know some people who thought mayonnaise wasn’t needed, but it’s a must!
Quick and easy lunch for kids!
Love this grilled cheese recipe!
Perfect for kids!
Love this recipe so much! My son raves about it!
I don’t love mayo but I loved this recipe! I haven’t tried making grilled cheese this way before and I was surprised by how good it was!
5 star
Be eating grilled cheese for 65 years! We put the mayo on the inside and butter on the out.
It’s HEAVEN
Here were really good but I do like the taste of a grilled cheese with butter instead of mayo.
Thank you for commenting!
These are soooooo good!!!!! I’m keeping my grands this weekend so I’ll be making these for them!!!! Thanks so much!!!!!
A very good and simple grilled cheese sandwich. I added oil dipping seasoning WITH The mayo.. The mayo did a good job.! WOW!