Pan-Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm, crispy grilled cheese sandwich with perfectly melted cheese inside. These easy grilled cheese sandwiches are simple to make with just a few ingredients and are perfect for a quick lunch, easy dinner, or comforting snack. The buttery golden bread and gooey melted cheese make this classic sandwich a favorite for both kids and adults. Serve it alongside a bowl of creamy tomato soup for the ultimate comfort food meal.
How to Make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Start by adding about 1 tablespoon of butter to a frying pan and heat the pan over medium-high heat. Allow the butter to melt completely and coat the bottom of the pan before adding the grilled cheese sandwiches.
While the pan is heating, butter the outside of each slice of bread. Place your slices of cheese between the bread, making sure the buttered sides are facing outward and the non-buttered sides are facing inward toward the cheese.
Once the butter has melted and the pan is hot, carefully place the sandwiches into the frying pan with the buttered side of the bread facing down. Cook for about 2–3 minutes, or until the bottom of the bread is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwiches over and continue cooking the other side for another 2–3 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Once the grilled cheese sandwiches are golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted and gooey, remove them from the heat and place them onto a plate. Let them cool for a minute before serving, then enjoy them warm with a side of ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce! If you own an air fryer try making this easy air fryer grilled sandwich or cheesy air fryer bagel bites.
Storage
Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Allow the sandwich to cool before storing.
For the best texture, reheat leftover grilled cheese in a skillet, oven, or air fryer until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted again. The microwave can also be used, but the bread may become softer.
Freezing grilled cheese sandwiches is not recommended because the bread can become soggy after thawing. For the best flavor and texture, prepare them fresh when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Ingredients
Bread Slices: Bread provides the crispy, golden outside and soft center of the grilled cheese sandwich. White bread, sourdough, or your favorite sandwich bread can all work well.
Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese adds a delicious sharp and savory flavor to the sandwich. It melts beautifully and gives the grilled cheese its classic cheesy flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella adds a mild, creamy flavor and creates a wonderfully stretchy, gooey texture when melted. Combining it with cheddar makes the sandwich extra cheesy.
Butter: Butter is spread on the outside of the bread to help create a crispy, golden-brown crust while adding rich, buttery flavor to the sandwich.
What can I serve with grilled cheese?
Grilled cheese sandwiches pair perfectly with creamy cauliflower soup, broccoli cheddar soup, salads, potato soup, or your favorite homemade soup. They’re also delicious served on their own as a quick and easy meal.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 slices of white bread whole wheat, or sourdough
- 2 slices of cheddar cheese
- 2 slices of mozzarella
- Butter for melting on pan and for bread
Instructions
- Place a tbsp. of butter onto a frying pan and heat on medium-high heat.
- Butter the outside portion of each slice of bread and place the slices of cheese on the inside (non-buttered) portions of the bread.
- Place the buttered side of the bread onto the heated frying pan and fry until golden-brown. About 2-3 minutes. Flip the bread to the other side and fry the same way.
- Remove the bread from the heat and place onto a plate and serve with a side of ketchup!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bread for grilled cheese sandwiches?
White bread, sourdough, whole wheat, French bread, and multigrain bread can all be used for grilled cheese. Choose a bread that is sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese while becoming golden and crispy when cooked.
What cheese is best for grilled cheese?
Cheddar, American, mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack, and Colby are all delicious choices. You can also combine two or more cheeses for extra flavor and a perfectly melted sandwich.
Should I butter both sides of the bread?
For a crispy, golden grilled cheese, spread butter evenly over the outside of each slice of bread. This gives the sandwich its delicious buttery crust as it cooks.
Why is my grilled cheese not crispy?
Make sure your pan isn’t too hot and that the bread has an even layer of butter. Cooking the sandwich over medium to medium-low heat gives the cheese time to melt while the bread becomes golden and crispy.
How do I get the cheese to melt without burning the bread?
Cook the sandwich over medium-low heat rather than using high heat. This allows the cheese to melt gradually while the bread becomes golden instead of burning before the cheese has melted.
Can I add other ingredients to a grilled cheese sandwich?
Absolutely! Try adding tomato slices, cooked bacon, ham, caramelized onions, avocado, or thinly sliced vegetables. Just avoid adding too many ingredients so the sandwich still cooks evenly or try making my easy ham & cheese sandwich recipe.
Can I use different types of cheese together?
Yes! Combining different cheeses is a great way to create a more flavorful grilled cheese. Cheddar and mozzarella, for example, make a delicious combination with plenty of flavor and a gooey texture.