Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A grilled cheese is my answer to a hard day. There is not much to it, two slices of bread and some cheese, but done right it is one of the most comforting things you can make in five minutes.
Crisp, golden, buttery bread on the outside and a middle that pulls into long strings of melted cheese. I usually make one alongside a bowl of tomato soup, the way I did as a kid home sick from school.
The trick I wish someone had told me sooner is to keep the heat low, so the bread turns deep golden while the cheese has time to fully melt. It is a small thing done well, and some days that is exactly enough.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Cheese
- Crisp, golden bread with a fully melted, gooey middle.
- Ready in under ten minutes with three ingredients.
- A method you can lean on any day.
- A natural match for tomato soup.
Ingredients for Grilled Cheese
- 2 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 to 3 slices cheddar or American cheese
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise (optional, for a crispier crust)
How to Make Grilled Cheese
- Spread the softened butter over one side of each slice of bread. For an even crispier crust, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the butter.
- Lay the cheese between the slices, with the buttered sides facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low. Let it warm up before the sandwich goes in.
- Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bottom is deep golden brown and the cheese has started to melt, about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep the heat low so the bread does not burn before the cheese melts.
- Flip and cook the second side until golden and the cheese is fully melted, another 3 minutes. Cover the pan for a minute if you need to help the cheese along.
- Move it to a cutting board, let it settle for a minute, then cut it in half.
Tips
- Low and slow heat is the secret. High heat burns the bread before the cheese melts.
- A mix of butter and mayonnaise on the outside browns more evenly than butter alone.
- Slice or grate the cheese thin so it melts quickly and evenly.
- Cover the pan for a minute to melt thicker cheese without burning the bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cheese melts best? Cheddar and American melt smooth. A blend of the two gives you flavor and stretch.
Why is my cheese not melting? The heat is likely too high, cooking the bread too fast. Lower it and give the cheese time.
More Recipes You’ll Like
- Classic Apple Pie
- Classic Beef Chili
- Classic Beef Stew
- Classic Chocolate Cake
- Classic Cornbread
- Classic Creamy Coleslaw
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- Classic Ground Beef Tacos
- Classic Meatloaf with Brown Sugar Glaze
- Classic Pot Roast
Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Course: LunchCuisine: American2
servings15
minutes7
minutesIngredients
2 slices bread
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 to 3 slices cheddar or American cheese
1 teaspoon mayonnaise (optional, for a crispier crust)
Directions
- Spread the softened butter over one side of each slice of bread. For an even crispier crust, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the butter.
- Lay the cheese between the slices, with the buttered sides facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low. Let it warm up before the sandwich goes in.
- Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the bottom is deep golden brown and the cheese has started to melt, about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep the heat low so the bread does not burn before the cheese melts.
- Flip and cook the second side until golden and the cheese is fully melted, another 3 minutes. Cover the pan for a minute if you need to help the cheese along.
- Move it to a cutting board, let it settle for a minute, then cut it in half.