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Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe (VIDEO)

There’s Grilled Cheese and there’s 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 of 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. 

Grilled Cheese cut in half showing cheesy center

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Grilled Cheese Recipe

This has been named “The Internet’s Most Popular Grilled Cheese Recipe” by the Kitchn and has been a fan favorite for years. Everyone needs a go-to cheese sandwich and this one’s a keeper!

We love hot sandwiches from our Crispy Chicken Sandwich to Philly Cheesesteak. This Grilled Cheese recipe is well-loved by my 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.

Grilled Cheese Video Tutorial

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What is Grilled Cheese?

Grilled cheese is a classic American sandwich that has existed since 1920. It is a hot sandwich made with buttered and toasted bread. Originally, it was filled with American cheese, but it is now commonly made with one or more different cheeses. I also feel better about serving real cheese to my family!

Ingredients

  • Bread: A thicker sliced bread such as Texas toast works best. Sourdough Bread also makes a terrific sandwich.
  • Butter: Use a generous 1/2 Tbsp of butter on each slice of bread. We use unsalted but any butter will work here.
  • Cheese: To add more flavor, we use a combination of sliced medium cheddar, gouda, and Havarti cheese.
Ingredients for making grilled cheese with bread, sliced cheese and butter

How to Make a Grilled Cheese

  • Butter the toast – spread 1/2 Tbsp butter on one side of each slice of bread.
  • Heat skillet – place a skillet over low to medium/low heat. If you’re using a griddle, it should be at 275˚F. Immediately add 2 slices of bread with the buttered side down.
  • Add cheese – stack the cheese on one of the pieces of bread, cover it with the other piece of toast and flip the sandwich over.
  • Brown the toast – Continue sauteeing, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted.
  • Serve – cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.
Step by step how to make a grilled cheese sandwich

How long to cook grilled cheese?

The total cooking time for a grilled cheese sandwich over low to medium/low heat is 6-7 minutes. That is enough time for the exterior to crisp and brown and for the cheese to fully melt.

Tips for the Best Grilled Cheese

  • Low heat – it takes a little patience to make the perfect grilled cheese. Keep your heat on low to give the cheese time to fully melt while the bread gets golden and crisp. If browning too fast, turn the heat down.
  • Butter generously – the amount of butter may seem like a lot, but it is important for a crispy exterior. 
  • Use thick-sliced bread – we love using Texas toast because it’s sliced about twice as thick as normal sandwich bread. You want bread that is about 3/4″ to 1″ thick, but also avoid bread that is too thick or your cheese won’t melt properly. Using bread that is too thin will produce a flimsy and sometimes soggy sandwich.
Melty cheese inside of a grilled cheese sandwich

Common Questions

What can I cook a grilled cheese on?

You can use a cast-iron skillet or any non-stick pan. To cook multiple sandwiches at once, try a griddle or flat cooktop, or even a panini press.

Is a grilled cheese sandwich grilled?

Grilled cheese is not ‘grilled’ as the name implies. It can be grilled, but you would want to keep the heat very low to avoid burning your bread before the cheese melts.

What is the best cheese for grilled cheese?

Our favorite blend is a combination of medium cheddar, gouda, and Havarti cheeses. You can use just one type of cheese if you prefer or substitute any of the cheeses with Monterey jack, pepper jack, Gruyere, or even American cheese.

What’s better, mayo or butter?

While mayonnaise might seem more convenient to spread on the bread, it will make your sandwich taste like mayo, which is why we prefer butter. If you don’t have softened butter, check out our hack on how to soften butter in 5 minutes.

Can I bake grilled cheese in the oven?

Yes! We have a recipe for this in my Cookbook. Essentially, you butter the outsides of the bread slices, stack 3 slices of cheese between the bread, and bake on a baking sheet for 10 minutes at 400˚F, flipping halfway. It’s a great way to serve up multiple sandwiches at once to feed a crowd.

Serve Grilled Cheese with

We love to serve Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup. The acidity and creaminess of tomato soup pair so well with a cheesy sandwich. You can also serve with:

Grilled cheese sandwich served with tomato soup

How to Reheat Grilled Cheese

You can make this sandwich ahead, just cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days. Ideally, you should reheat it the same way it was cooked.

  • Skillet or Griddle – place on a skillet over medium-low heat, cover with a lid or tent with foil, and heat until the cheese is melted in the center, flipping once. The lid traps the heat to melt the cheese. Once the cheese is melted, remove the lid to crisp up the bread.
  • Microwaving – our least favorite option because it can cause the bread to soften and get soggy.
Grilled cheese reheated on skillet until cheese is melted

More Must-Try Sandwich Recipes

If you love this Grilled Cheese Sandwich then you won’t want to miss these popular sandwich recipes:

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

5 from 200 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Grilled cheese sandwich with cheese pull
Learn how to make the best Grilled Cheese sandwich with a crisp, buttery exterior and gooey cheese center.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 sandwiches
  • 8 slices Texas toast, or thick sliced sandwich bread
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 slices medium cheddar cheese, *
  • 4 slices Gouda cheese
  • 4 slices Havarti cheese

Instructions

  • Spread 1/2 Tbsp of butter on one side of each slice of bread.
  • Set a skillet over medium/low heat and place 2 slices of bread in the skillet with the butter side down.
  • Stack cheeses on one piece of toast: cheddar, havarti, then gouda. Once the breads are golden brown, closed the sandwich with the crisp sides on the outside.
  • Continue cooking until the bread is a rich golden brown, flipping once and press down lightly to help the bread stick to the cheese. Total cooking time should one 5-6 minutes. Keep the heat on medium low for the breads to toast slowly, giving your cheese a chance to fully melt and adhere to the bread.
  • Once you see the cheese has melted and breads are browned, remove to a plate and cut in half diagonally to serve. Repeat with the next sandwich.

Notes

*We use a combination of medium cheddar, Gouda, and Havarti cheeses, but you can use just one type of cheese. Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Gruyere, or even American cheese will work. 

Nutrition Per Serving

499kcal Calories31g Carbs20g Protein33g Fat19g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat8g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat89mg Cholesterol904mg Sodium116mg Potassium2g Fiber3g Sugar741IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C528mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Amount per Serving
Calories
499
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
33
g
51
%
Saturated Fat
 
19
g
119
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
89
mg
30
%
Sodium
 
904
mg
39
%
Potassium
 
116
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
31
g
10
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
20
g
40
%
Vitamin A
 
741
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
528
mg
53
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 499
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

5 from 200 votes (160 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Mr Dana Clayton
    July 26, 2024

    Best grilled cheese and tomato soup that I have ever made. Family loved it.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 27, 2024

      I’m so happy to hear that!

      Reply

  • Nancy S.
    July 15, 2024

    Thank you for this recipe—-my husband and two boys devoured these sandwiches with your homemade tomato soup after a day of golf!!! They ate two sandwiches each—-guess it was a winner❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 15, 2024

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Nancy!

      Reply

  • Joseph
    July 14, 2024

    Add a thin layer of Mayo or mustard in inside the bread before adding cheese. Add chopped herbs like basil or thyme with also garlic to the butter before spreading it on the bread. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on the outside buttered side of the bread to make it crisper. Add caramelized onions. Each step could make it better, but you could eliminate to your liking.

    Reply

  • Denise Chelpka
    July 12, 2024

    Those are my go to cheeses, but I like smoked Gouda instead of plain. Gives it an extra bit of flavor.

    Reply

  • Julie
    June 12, 2024

    OMGosh this was the best with tomato basil soup! No need to EVER try another recipe. I’ve made several times now and everybody loves it.

    Reply

  • Jo Anne Giannini
    June 7, 2024

    I love your recipes! Thanks for sharing how to cook them on your blog! They are always delicious!

    Reply

  • Denise
    June 1, 2024

    Perfect combination of cheeses. Even better if you can find a really good smoked gouda.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 1, 2024

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Rochelle
    March 22, 2024

    I did try butter and mayo when toasting. I would say the mayo actually tasted a lot better. It did not leave a mayo flavor as author mentioned.

    Reply

  • Rosie
    March 14, 2024

    Hi Natasha,
    First time ever made cheese grilled it was yummy my husband loved them too. So easy to make. Hello from Sydney Australia 👋

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 14, 2024

      I’m glad to hear that, Rosie!

      Reply

  • Jacquelyn Fessler
    March 13, 2024

    Made last night with tomato soup (naturally!). The best grilled cheese I’ve ever had!

    Reply

  • Thea
    February 19, 2024

    Thank you for this very simple recipe. I have made many a grill cheese sandwich that were just O.K. I didn’t have all the cheeses so I just cut it thicker. This was so quick and easy. Went terrific with my tomato soup.
    I is still rainy here so tomorrow I am going to try your version of Zuppa Toscana.
    Thank you again. I am looking forward t exploring your website.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 20, 2024

      You’re very welcome, Thea. Thank you for your review and awesome feedback!

      Reply

  • Aaron
    February 14, 2024

    Simply awesome, oh sooo good’n gooey grilled cheese 🧀. The trio of cheese will get your salivary glands going for sure.

    Thank you Natasha, your “Grilled cheese” recipe made our Valentine’s Day dinner perfect 😊. Paired perfectly with homemade creamy tomato basil 🌿 soup.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 14, 2024

      I’m so glad to hear that, Aaron! Thank you for the wonderful feedback.

      Reply

  • Christine
    January 16, 2024

    This is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had in my life! I followed the recipe exactly and made it on an electric griddle set to 275 degrees. AMAZING!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 16, 2024

      Hi Christine! I’m so happy you loved it.

      Reply

  • Melinda
    January 7, 2024

    Hi Natasha,
    You and your recipes are so special to me, this grilled cheese is good, but the Junky American cheese is good too:) Sometimes that’s all I can afford. You’re the Best:)

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 7, 2024

      Hi Melinda! Thank you, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes.

      Reply

  • Kim MacBeth
    October 30, 2023

    Yes! Absolutely THE BEST Grilled Cheese Sandwich ever! I put a layer of Homemade Apple Chutney in it, it was so WOW! Served it with Butternut Squash Soup. My husband said one of the best dinners ever, absolute ‘comfort food’ for the Fall! Thanks for sharing your recipe, it’s now added to my favorites!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 30, 2023

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Kim! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Karen
    October 27, 2023

    Best grilled cheese sandwich ever! Perfect texture, taste, and cheesy pull. We’ve made this twice now and won’t make it any other way going forward. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 27, 2023

      You’re so welcome, Karen! I’m glad you love it.

      Reply

  • David
    October 25, 2023

    This is a next level grilled cheese for sure. I add a little garlic salt to one side of the sandwich; everyone seems to love it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 25, 2023

      Great idea! Thanks for sharing and for giving our recipe a review.

      Reply

  • John Abraham
    September 19, 2023

    OMG! Made these last night and the family loved it! Our new way of making grilled cheese.
    Thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 19, 2023

      You’re so welcome! I’m very happy to know that your family enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Rozlyn
    November 24, 2022

    Thanks so much for this recipe!! This method of making grilled cheese is easy, works every time and has amazing results. Crispy and golden on the outside and soft, gooey on the inside, and not too greasy. Beats all the local diners too, hands down my favourite grilled cheese ever.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 24, 2022

      That’s wonderful!

      Reply

  • Walter
    November 11, 2022

    Just found your recipe. Thanks. Will have to try the cheese combination. Have you tried this using Real Mayo, (Dukes) instead of butter? It’s the only thing I will use.

    Reply

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