Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Theres Grilled Cheese and theres GREAT Grilled Cheese. Learn how to make the best Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a crisp, buttery exterior and gooey cheese center.
Try this combination of cheeses and the process for buttering and cooking the toast and you will be known for your Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. All you need is a Creamy Tomato Soup to dunk your sandwich into.;
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We love hot sandwiches from our Crispy Chicken Sandwich to Philly Cheesesteak. This Grilled Cheese recipe is well-loved by the whole family. Who can resist that impressive cheese pull? Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is. All you need is a skillet and a spatula.
Baked Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Using the very best ingredients is important when making any type of grilled cheese. My family prefers wheat bread, and I like to use salted butter for extra flavor.
Also, none of those plastic-y American singles around here! Yeah, I used them back in the day, too until I found out that theyre only required to contain a minimum of 51% real cheese and may contain as many as 15 different added ingredients. Um, gross and NO THANKS
Sargento Sliced Cheese is 100% real, natural cheese, and in my opinion, its the best thing since sliced bread. See what I did there?!
I know, ha-ha but really, this stuff is full of flavor and perfect for your favorite sandwiches, wraps, burgers, etc. With 23 delicious varieties, youre sure to find one to satisfy every member of your household. Im partial to a grilled pepper jack cheese sandwich, but most of my family prefers a classic medium cheddar.
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Making The Very Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Mayo Or Butter Open
A grilled cheese sandwich is the first thing a lot of people learn to cook. It was the first thing I learned to cook. Id shave off a few slices from the ubiquitous big orange block of Velveeta in our fridge, slather Roman Meal bread with Promise margarine, and make the best meal nine-year-old me could ever want.
Maybe you didnt grow up grilling processed cheese on squishy sandwich bread. Or maybe you know plenty well how to make grilled cheese, but you want to up your game. Great newsthis grilled cheese party is open to all experience levels!
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Ways To Dress Up Your Grilled Cheese
I am no purist, and I put all kinds of stuff on my grilled cheese. Just dont overstuff it, or all the goodies will slip out. What goodies, you say? Some suggestions:
- Cooked greens: kale, mustard greens, or spinach
- Fruits and Vegetables: roasted red pepper, thin slices of apple or pear, tomato slices
Close the sandwich and continue grilling, flipping the sandwich with a turner as needed, until both sides are golden brown, another 2-3 minutes per side.
Usually, the second side takes less time than the first. Press down on the sandwich gently but firmly with your turner to compact it a little, but dont smoosh it. You may need to turn the heat down to medium-low to keep the bread from charring.
Peek in the sandwich to see if the cheese is fully melted. If the bread is grilled to your liking but the cheese needs more time, turn the heat down and grill it a few minutes longer.
Alison Bickel
Cut the sandwich the way you like best and let it cool a minute or so before eating, unless you like burning your mouth on molten cheese. Serve immediately.
What To Serve With Grilled Cheese
If you want fries with your grilled cheese you can cook them at the same time with the grilled cheese in your air fryer basket. My favorite brand of frozen fries are Alexa or Ore Ida. I will cook frozen french fries at 350 for 12 minutes.;
Chips and pickles
My recipe 5 Ingredient Tomato Blender Soup would also be good with grilled cheese.
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The Best Tip For A Perfect Grilled Cheese
My friends, this is a must. I make grilled cheese without butter! Swap out the butter on the outside of the sandwich for mayonnaise. Cook mayonnaise side down in the pan.
Your grilled cheese will come out perfectly golden with a crust that doesnt get soggy and is not greasy!
If the pan is too hot, the cheese wont melt before the outside is cooked. If you notice the cheese taking awhile, cover it with a lid. The steam will help melt the cheese so it cooks evenly!
Is Fried Halloumi Healthy
The nutritional value of halloumi varies because each cheesemaker has their own special recipe. In general, halloumi is a good source of calcium and protein, though it’s also high in saturated fats and sodium. Low-fat halloumi can be found. Olive oil is considered one of the healthiest cooking oils, so the cheese itself is probably more concerning. Moderation is likely the best approach for a healthy diet.
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The Best Pan For Grilled Cheese
The pan is just as important, if not more so, than the bread and cheese. A flimsy skillet will grill your sandwich unevenly. A skillet thats too small makes it hard to maneuver the sandwich.
For one sandwich at a time, I like a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
Grilled cheese sandwiches dont really stick to the pan, so if you dont have a nonstick pan, its fine. I prefer a cast-iron pan.
Tips For Using Air Fryers
Preheating:;Some air fryers require preheating and some do not. Be sure to check your air fryer manual. Mine does not require preheating. If the food ever burns or doesnt cook properly this could be why the recipe didnt work for you.;
Overcrowding:;Do not overcrowd the basket. Some food will not cook properly or all the way through.;
Oil:;One of the reasons why air fryers are so great is because food doesnt need a lot of oil. Just a small amount!;
Not every air fryer cooks food the same. I always check half ways to see if it is getting close to near done. If it isnt done, continue cooking longer.
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Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
I used to make my grilled cheese on a skillet but now I make them in the air fryer because it is so simple and the air fryer makes the bread nice and toasty! I updated this post with a regular version of grilled cheese for those who dont follow the WW program and my WW version of grilled cheese. If you dont want to read through all the mumbo jumbo, click the jump to recipe link at the top of the page.
Before You Leave We Have A Questionwould You Put Mayonnaise On Your Grilled Cheese
;For some people, the thought of putting mayonnaise on their grilled cheese sandwiches would be breaking a cardinal rule of toasties. However, some people believe that mayonnaise is an essential ingredient.
If youre keen to try this unusual suggestion, simply replace the spread of butter on the outside with a good quality mayonnaise. This is said to give it an even, golden colour and will stop the bread from drying out, keeping it soft and fluffy. Be warned, mayonnaise will give it a bit of a tangy taste, but if youre up for an experiment, it is one to try!
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Grilled Cheese In The Oven
I have to confess that fall is not one of my favorite seasons. Despite having grown up in Ohio, I am just NOT a cold weather girl. My fingers and toes are perpetually like ice, and the gray sky days totally make me want to hibernate in my nice, warm bed until spring rolls around.
On the other hand, I do love me some fall comfort food! Soups and chilis reign, and this early on, all of our old favorites feel new again even the classic tomato basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. This pairing is in heavy rotation because theyre both quick and easy to prepare, with special thanks to this trick I learned for making grilled cheese in the oven
Oh yes, if you were in the dark on this technique , you are in for SUCH a treat! This has been a huge lifesaver for my larger than average family. Previously, Id have two pans going on the stovetop, along with the panini press, just to make sure everyone got a hot and fresh grilled cheese sandwich with their bowl of soup.
Surely theres a better way to make grilled cheese for a crowd, right? Im not sure if I googled for a solution or searched Pinterest, but when I stumbled on the sheet pan grilled cheese in the oven method, I couldnt believe how EASY it was This simple method makes six classic grilled cheese sandwiches per half sheet pan, hot and fresh from the oven, in just about 10 minutes.IM SOLD!!!
PIN IT NOW, MAKE IT LATER! .WHILE YOURE AT IT, LETS BE FRIENDS! FOLLOW ME ON FOR MORE EASY RECIPE IDEAS.
How To Cook Grilled Cheese In The Oven
Tip: Cover the baking sheet in aluminum foil so you dont have to clean it afterward. Remove the aluminum foil when it cools off and throw it away.
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Best Grilled Cheese Recipe
When done correctly, a classic grilled cheese sandwich has the perfect contrast between crunchy bread exterior and creamy melted cheese filling. Its one of those fast and easy meals to serve picky eaters. But when paired with a big bowl of tomato soup, its the ultimate adult comfort food.
To satisfy our immediate cravings, the misconception is to crank up the heat and get the cheese melted fast! However, its quite the opposite. To make sure the bread gets evenly toasted and the middle completely gooey, patience and low heat is the answer. Melted butter also helps with crispness, but not too much otherwise youll get greasy results. Ready to go over the science behind making this well-loved sandwich at home?
How To Cook The Perfect Grilled Cheese
Theres nothing quite like the crusty, buttery, ooey gooey goodness of a perfectly done;grilled cheese. Whether its a classic cheddar & tomato soup combo, an attempt to recreate grandmas favorite, or a grown-up version with all the fancy fixings the comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich is undeniable.
Use Good Bread: The perfect grilled cheese starts with the bread. Dont skimp on this part. Find a fresh-baked loaf from your local bakery or grocery store. And if youre really adventurous, rosemary or garlic herb varieties add a pop of flavor.
Dont Over Butter: Some may say the more butter, the better, but there is such a thing as over-buttering. To avoid a greasy sandwich, we suggest about ½ tablespoon per slice of bread. Start by softening the butter for an even spread. Then, slather on the outsides of the bread to achieve that perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust.
Shred Your Cheese: Do not, we repeat, do NOT use sliced cheese for grilled cheese. ;First, it is best to bring;your cheese;up to room temperature before cooking;your sandwich. Then, shredding the cheese;will help ensure that it melts faster and more evenly.;Keep in mind, certain cheeses melt easier than others. Mild, creamy cheeses like Havarti, Gouda, and a young cheddar are prime candidates for melty perfection. Or, consider a flavored variety like Dill Havarti for an extra flavor kick.
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What Are The Best Air Fryers
There are so many different air fryers out on the market these days and it is hard to pick and choose which one to buy. Every air fryer recipe on this site was tested with a Power XL air fryer. Ive owned this brand for a very long time now and love it. A lot of questions I get are from people asking me if this works with the brand of air fryer they use. Its hard to answer that because every air fryer model is different and their temperature and settings can vary. You just have to try it see if it works for you. These are two brands I own.;
Butter Your Bread Not The Pan
Instead of dropping a pat of butter into a hot skillet, butter the bread for more flavor and even browning. Generously spread one side of each bread slice with softened salted butter. Or, instead of butter, spread one side of each bread slice with mayonnaise. It will give your sandwich a slight tang and help it brown beautifully.
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How To Make The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
As many of you may know, I am completely obsessed with grilled cheese sandwiches! They are so simple and yet so irresistibly good! Over the years I have made countless grilled cheese sandwiches and more recently I have been experimenting with them and sharing my adventures with you. I recently realized that although I have posted a lot of grilled cheese sandwich recipes, I have not written about the basic grilled cheese sandwich or gone into much detail about how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. Since I have picked up a few tricks along the way, I thought that it was about time that I shared them with you.
At its base a grilled cheese sandwich is pretty simple consisting of bread, butter and cheese. These three ingredients, when combined correctly, come together to form something that is truly magical! Now, I am not going to tell you that you need to to use expensive high end ingredients to make a perfect grilled cheese sandwich because you do not. Lets face it, a grilled cheese sandwich made with basic white bread and a slice of American cheese can be pure pleasure with the ability to instantly transport you back to your child hood days and even I get the cravings every once in a while. That is not to say that you cannot get better results using better ingredients but this post is more about the techniques to get that perfectly grilled cheese sandwich.
The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep Time
directions
The Best Cheese To Use
My top choice is sharp cheddar cheese because its combination of firmness and flavor. This cheese has a solid structure that holds together and stretches nicely when heated, and during its aging process, it undergoes complex flavor development as it ripens. Other fallback options with similar firm characteristics are swiss cheese, gruyere, gouda, Monterey jack, pepper jack, and mozzarella.
Plastic wrapped American cheese is a convenient choice, although its flavor tends to be saltier. Kids usually dont mind, but this may turn off some adults. Soft and spreadable brie while delicious, can get a bit greasy when melted. For a stronger flavored sandwich, you can sprinkle on Parmesan or blue cheese in combination with one of the mild-flavored firm cheeses.
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Slicing The Cheese Too Thick
When sliced too thick, the cheese simply wont cook all the way through, which means you wont get that oozy, melty goodness you have your heart set on.
Follow this tip: Thinly sliced cheese is a good start, but theres still a better method: grated cheese. It melts more evenly and quickly than slices, and youre guaranteed to have just the right balance of toasted bread and melted cheese.
How To Make Grilled Cheese
How long to cook grilled cheese? Total cooking time for grilled cheese over low to medium/low heat is 6-7 minutes. That is enough time for the exterior to crisp and brown and allow the cheese to fully melt.
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