There's something magical about combining two comforting classics—garlic bread and grilled cheese—into one irresistible sandwich. This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe turns ordinary grilled cheese into a savory, garlicky delight that's perfect for any meal or snack time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of grilled cheese sandwiches, but this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe has quickly become my go-to when I want something extra flavorful and comforting. It’s the perfect balance of crispy, buttery bread and ooey-gooey cheesy goodness with a lovely garlic twist.
- Flavor Explosion: The garlic butter spread infused with fresh parsley brings your taste buds to life in every bite.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, melty cheese inside contrasts with crisp, golden bread outside—hello, ultimate comfort food.
- Easy to Make: You won’t believe how simple ingredients and quick steps create something so satisfying.
- Customizable: Switch up the cheese, add extras like caramelized onions or sliced apples, and make this classic your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays a vital role to deliver the perfect garlic bread grilled cheese experience. I usually pick sourdough for its sturdy yet tender crust, and fresh shredded cheese for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Sandwich Bread: I love sourdough because it holds up well without getting soggy and adds a subtle tang.
- Unsalted Butter: Softening it makes mixing with garlic easy and ensures smooth spreading.
- Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and helps keep the garlic butter extra creamy.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced finely to infuse a fresh, aromatic punch without overpowering.
- Italian Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the richness.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning; balances flavors perfectly.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: I use a mix of Gruyere, Colby Jack, and smoked Cheddar because they melt beautifully and add layers of flavor.
Make It Your Way
This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe is super flexible, and I encourage you to tailor it to your tastes! I often play around with different cheeses or sneak in a slice of deli meat for extra heartiness.
- Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is swapping minced garlic for roasted garlic cloves—milder and sweeter flavor that adds depth.
- Dietary options: Use gluten-free bread or vegan butter and cheese alternatives if you want a dairy-free or gluten-free version.
- Seasonal changes: Add caramelized onions in fall or thinly sliced apples in spring to keep things fresh and exciting.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Mixture
Start by mixing softened unsalted butter, mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, and chopped Italian parsley in a bowl until everything is evenly combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Trust me, this blend is what makes the bread so flavorful, so don’t skip fresh parsley if you can.
Step 2: Spread and Assemble Your Sandwiches
Spread the garlic butter generously on one side of each bread slice. Then, pile on your freshly shredded cheese on two slices, and cover with the remaining bread so the garlic-buttered side faces out.
Step 3: Cook Low and Slow
This is key: heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cooking low and slow gives the cheese plenty of time to melt without burning the bread. It usually takes about 5 minutes per side. Flip the sandwiches a few times during cooking and press down gently each time with your spatula. This technique ensures even melting and toasty crusts.
Step 4: Slice, Serve, and Enjoy Warm!
Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted, slice the sandwiches in half. Serve immediately while still warm and gooey inside. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still tasty the next day.
Top Tip
Making grilled cheese with a garlic bread twist is a little different than your standard recipe, so I learned a few key tricks along the way that really make it shine.
- Medium-Low Heat Is Your Friend: Don’t rush the cooking. High heat burns the bread before the cheese melts. Patience makes a gooey, crispy perfect sandwich.
- Fresh Cheese Grate: I’ve tried pre-shredded and sliced cheese, and fresh-grated melts best every time, creating that perfect stringy texture.
- Multiple Flips: Flipping a few times while pressing gently keeps heat even and helps the sandwich brown evenly.
- Use a Nonstick Skillet: Stops the butter from sticking and makes flipping mess-free.
How to Serve Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a little extra chopped fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness, plus a tiny drizzle of olive oil can add a lovely sheen and richness. A side of pickles or a light slaw can give a nice tangy contrast too.
Side Dishes
This grilled cheese is delicious with a bowl of tomato soup—classic combo, right? I also enjoy pairing it with a crisp green salad or simple roasted veggies for a fuller meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual get-togethers, I cut the sandwiches into bite-sized sliders perfect for sharing. Sometimes I serve them stacked in a tall tower with dips on the side—that always makes people smile at parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover sandwiches tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find this keeps the bread from drying out too much and the cheese still tastes great reheated.
Freezing
Freezing is doable but not my preferred method because the bread can lose its crispness. If you do freeze, wrap each sandwich tightly in freezer-safe paper or foil and place in a sealed bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly toasted texture, I reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat rather than the microwave. It crisps the bread back up and melts the cheese nicely without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While I recommend sourdough for its texture and flavor, sandwich bread, sliced brioche, or even a sturdy white bread all work well. Just make sure the bread isn’t too thick so the cheese melts evenly.
I like a blend of Gruyere, Colby Jack, and smoked Cheddar because they melt beautifully and offer rich, complex flavors. However, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Gouda, or Muenster are fantastic alternatives depending on your preference.
Cook the sandwich over medium-low heat. Low and slow is the trick here. Flip the sandwich a few times and press gently with a spatula to heat evenly. Using a nonstick skillet also prevents sticking and burning.
Yes! Substitute the butter with vegan butter or olive oil, and use dairy-free cheese slices or shreds that melt well. Make sure your bread is vegan-friendly, and you’re all set for a delicious vegan version.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe has become a little love note I send to myself whenever I need something satisfying and cozy. Whether you’re a grilled cheese purist or someone looking to jazz up your lunch, give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how a few simple tweaks turn a humble sandwich into a flavor-packed delight. I can’t wait to hear how you make it your own!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese is a delightful twist on the classic sandwich, combining buttery garlic spread with melty shredded cheese on perfectly toasted sourdough bread. Perfect for a comforting lunch or quick dinner, it’s crispy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside.
Ingredients
Bread and Butter Mixture
- 4 slices sandwich bread (preferably sourdough with soft crust)
- 4 tablespoon softened unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, very finely minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheese (Gruyere, Colby Jack, and smoked Cheddar blend)
Instructions
- Prepare garlic butter mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened butter, mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, and chopped Italian parsley. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. On two slices, top the buttered side with the shredded cheese mixture, then cover with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
- Heat the skillet: Place a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and let it warm up. This lower heat setting ensures the cheese melts thoroughly before the bread becomes overly browned.
- Cook the sandwiches: Place the sandwiches in the hot skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes on one side until golden brown, then carefully flip. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes on the other side until golden and the cheese has melted. Flip a few times during cooking and gently press down on the sandwiches to promote even melting and browning.
- Serve: Remove the grilled cheese from the skillet, slice, and serve immediately while warm and melty. Enjoy your delicious garlic bread grilled cheese sandwich!
Notes
- Freshly grate the cheese for the best melting quality and flavor.
- You can substitute shredded cheese with pre-packaged slices that melt well, such as American or Colby Jack.
- Cook on medium-low heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts.
- Flipping a few times and pressing gently helps the cheese melt evenly and the bread toast uniformly.
- Use a non-stick skillet or griddle to prevent sticking and make flipping easier.
- Substitutions: Try cheeses like Swiss, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Gouda, or Muenster for variety.
- Alternate breads like sliced brioche or sandwich bread can be used if sourdough is unavailable.
- Optional add-ins include roasted garlic cloves, deli meats, caramelized onions, or sliced apples for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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