This oven trick changed the way I make sandwiches! My recipe for Oven-Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is a genius way to make a big batch of sandwiches at one time, with the same buttery, crispy toast and melty cheese combo you love. Watch my video tutorial to see how easy this is.
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Baked Grilled Cheese Video
Baked grilled cheese made in the oven was such an Ah-Ha! moment for me that I featured it in my Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook, along with more of my family’s favorite recipes.
Easy Baked Grilled Cheese Recipe
When I realized I could make my whole family delicious grilled cheese sandwiches in the oven in 10 minutes, I got excited. I could feed a crowed without standing over the stove waiting and flipping. You’ll end up with that same iconic Grilled Cheese pull that just makes your mouth water. Mmmm, warm and toasty.
If you love using this shortcut, don’t miss my Cheeseburger Sliders, Baked Chicken Tacos, and Cheesy Shrimp Tea Sandwiches!
Ingredients for Baked Grilled Cheese
There are just 3 ingredients for grilled cheese in the oven, so feel free to substitute your favorite ingredients to make it your own (and see my suggestions below).
- Unsalted butter – The secret ingredient to making the toast crunchy. Use softened butter for easy spreading.
- Sandwich bread slices – we prefer white bread, but any type of bread will work.
- Cheese – I love a combination of thick-sliced cheddar and mozzarella. You can substitute with your favorite cheeses (see below) or opt for a single type of cheese.
Variations
Try a few of these variations to make your baked grilled cheese to your tastes:
- Bread – swap white for–Rye & Whole Wheat Bread, sprouted, oat-flour, Gluten-free, or Sourdough Bread
- Butter – Mayonnaise in place of butter works here
- Cheese – Use sharp or mild cheddar, American, Swiss, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a combination
- Proteins – add a slice of ham, pepperoni, prosciutto, cooked Bacon, or Pulled Pork
- Fun additions – make it unique! Add some potato chips, cut jalapenos, thinly-sliced apples or avocado, Pesto, tomato, or Brie cheese & Plum Jam
How to Make Baked Grilled Cheese
This recipe couldn’t be any easier, with just 3 steps and 10 minutes.
- Spread butter – Preheat the oven to 400°F, and then spread butter on one side of 4 slices of bread. Place them butter-side-down on a rimmed cookie sheet. Pro tip: One of my readers suggested pre-heating the baking sheet for a crisper crust.
- Top each bread slice with 3 slices of cheese: first cheddar, then mozzarella, and finally cheddar on top. Butter one side of the last 4 slices of bread and place them butter-side-up on top of the cheeses.
Pro Tip:
Make as many sandwiches as you need by scaling this recipe up or down, but just be sure the Grilled cheeses aren’t touching each other on the sheet pan.
- Bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes per side (flipping halfway through), totaling 10 minutes.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Baked grilled cheese sandwiches are easy to make ahead and reheat. Be sure to allow them to completely cool before storing to preserve crispiness.
- Make-Ahead: Bake the sandwiches and then allow them to cool before refrigerating. Reheat in the oven or on the stove until melty.
- To Refrigerate: wrap cooled sandwiches in parchment or a paper towel and then place in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing: Follow the refrigerator directions, but store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat: Place on a sheet pan and heat until melty (165°F).
After just one bite of my Baked Grilled Cheese, you’ll be sold on this oven-baked technique because you get the same nostalgic taste without standing over a frying pan.
What to Serve with Baked Grilled Cheese
Of course, Tomato Soup is our favorite pairing for baked grilled cheese, but I find it goes well with so many soups and stews, or by itself for a quick and tasty lunch.
- Beef Stew
- Roasted Pumpkin Soup
- Potato Soup
- Green Goddess Salad
- Apple Tuna Salad
- Tomato Burrata Salad
Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 8 slices of your favorite sandwich bread
- 8 thick slices of medium cheddar cheese
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Spread butter – Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the softened butter over one side of 4 slices of the bread (about 1 teaspoon of butter per slice) and place them butter side down on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Top each slice of bread with a slice of cheddar, a slice of mozzarella, and another slice of cheddar. Spread the remaining butter over the remaining 4 slices of bread and place the slices on top of the cheese, butter side up.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flipping about halfway through, until both sides are golden brown.
Notes
- Refrigerator – store for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – freeze for up to 2 months and then thaw in the fridge overnight
- Reheat – Place on a sheetpan and heat in the oven until warmed through (165°F)
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Nostalgic Dinner Recipes
There’s nothing more comforting than eating a recipe you’ve loved since childhood. While these Baked Grilled Cheeses bake, check out these other throwback recipes:
- Mac and Cheese
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Tuna Salad
- Meatloaf
- Homemade Pizza Dough
- Sloppy Joes
- American Goulash
This is absolutely the best way to make grilled cheese! One other tip that I got from another similar recipe was to heat your baking sheet while preheating the oven. Also using Natasha’s variation to use mayonaise in place of butter is good too – they are both good!
Oh I love that idea of heating the baking sheet for an even crispier crust!
This looks like a genius idea! I’m definitely going to try it. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are in our regular rotation.
Do you think I could place foil or parchment paper underneath the bread to keep the pan a bit cleaner?
Thank you – love your site and your recipes.
Hi Patty, yes that would work to line the pan first.
I’m going to use this technique with your griddled cheese sandwich recipe (Texas toast, cheddar, havarti, gouda). My family goes crazy for grilled cheese and it’s always a chore to make a lot using one pan, this is the perfect solution thank you!
Oh yum – these would be delicious on a griddle where the cheese gets crisp at the edges. wow!
Easy and delicious.