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How to make the BEST Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a perfect crispy outside and gooey, melty, cheesy middle. Find the best cheeses and pro tips for the ultimate grilled cheese—crispy, melty, and delicious!

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If there’s one comfort food that never fails, it’s a grilled cheese sandwich. But not just any grilled cheese—I’m talking about that golden, crispy, buttery bread with the perfect melty, gooey cheese inside. Here at All Things Mamma, we love an easy, comforting meal—and nothing beats a perfectly crispy grilled cheese.

Today, I’m sharing my go-to grilled cheese recipe, plus all the best tips for getting that perfect melt and crunch every single time. No soggy sandwiches here—just grilled cheese perfection.

A Grilled Cheese Sandwich being pulled in half over a bowl of tomato soup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor: The traditional flavor will bring you right back to your childhood, especially when it is paired with creamy tomato soup.
Versatility: There is never a wrong time for a grilled cheese sandwich. It works for breakfast with eggs, lunch with a salad, or dinner with a warming soup.
Ease: When you need a meal of substance, a grilled cheese sandwich cooks up fast and will fill you up.

Recipe Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions:

Bread – I recommend using white bread, wheat, or sourdough bread.
Cheese – Use a variety of flavors like sharp cheddar cheese, American cheese, Swiss, or pepper jack. (cheddar + gruyère is my go-to!)
Butter – Softened butter will be much easier to spread on the bread.

How to Make The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Step 1. Gather your ingredients and prepare a skillet or non-stick pan.

Ingredients needed for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Step 2. Spread the softened butter evenly on the two slices of bread.

Step 3. Place the skillet or nonstick pan over medium-low heat and place one slice of bread down on the buttered side.

Step 4. Evenly distribute the cheese on top of the bread.

Cheese on top of bread in a non stick pan.

Step 5. Place the second slice of bread on top of the cheese, butter side up.

A piece of bread on top of cheese for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Step 6. Cook the sandwich on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until the bottom slice of bread is crispy and golden brown. Use a spatula to flip the sandwich and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese has fully melted.

A Grilled Cheese Sandwich cooking a hot pan.

Step 7. Remove the grilled cheese from the skillet or nonstick pan and let it rest for 1 minute. Then, slice the sandwich in half and enjoy while hot.

A sliced Grilled Cheese Sandwich sitting on a white plate.

Variations

Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Brie + caramelized onions + honey drizzle.
Spicy Kick: Pepper jack + jalapeños + a little hot honey.
Garlic Butter Grilled Cheese: Mix a little garlic powder into your butter before spreading.
Pizza Grilled Cheese: Mozzarella + pepperoni + a side of marinara for dipping.
Breakfast Grilled Cheese: Add bacon, a fried egg, and a little hot sauce.

Tips for Success

Use freshly grated cheese instead of preshreded or slices. The cheese will melt evenly with a better gooey texture.
Keep an eye on the temperature of the pan. A high heat won’t cook your sandwich faster and will just result in a burnt grilled cheese. Keep everything low and slow.
For an extra crispy sandwich, swap out the butter for mayonnaise. The mayo creates a rich flavor for the bread while browning and evenly crisps up the edges. (trust me here!)
Want that extra-crispy crust? Sprinkle a little shredded cheese directly onto the skillet before placing your sandwich down. It creates the most delicious crispy cheese crust on the outside!

A Grilled Cheese Sandwich sitting in a bowl of soup.

What’s the Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese?

Let’s be honest—cheese is the star of the show here, so choosing the right one makes all the difference.

American Cheese – Classic choice for the creamiest, meltiest sandwich. (Processed, but undeniably good!)
Cheddar – Sharp, medium, or mild cheddar adds a rich flavor. Sharp cheddar is tangy, while mild is creamier.
Gruyère – A Swiss cheese with a nutty, slightly sweet taste.
Havarti – Buttery, slightly tangy, and super smooth when melted.
Monterey Jack – Mild and creamy with a great melt. Pepper Jack is great for a spicy kick!
Mozzarella – Super stringy and mild, pairs well with stronger cheeses.

My favorite combo? Sharp cheddar + Gruyère for the best flavor AND melt.

The Best Bread for Grilled Cheese

Not all bread is created equal when it comes to grilled cheese. You want something sturdy enough to hold all that melty goodness but still soft enough for the perfect bite.

Sourdough – Crispy, slightly tangy, and holds up well.
Brioche – Buttery, slightly sweet, and extra indulgent.
Texas Toast – Thick and fluffy, perfect for an extra cheesy sandwich.
French Bread – Crunchy on the outside, soft inside.
White or Whole Wheat – A healthier option with a nutty depth of flavor.

A grilled cheese sandwich cut in half with the melty cheese coming out on the plate.

Serving Suggestions

While a grilled cheese is a tasty option, it isn’t always the most filling. To make a meal out of the sandwich, I like to pair it with soups, salads, or a side of fries. Here are some of my favorite pairing options.

Storage + Reheating

To Store: It is best to eat a grilled cheese right off the stove, but you can always keep extras in an airtight container for 1-2 days. If packing a grilled cheese for lunch, store it in a thermos to keep the sandwich warm.
To Reheat: Leftover grilled cheese is best heated in the skillet to bring the crispy bread back to life. The oven is also a great option to reheat the sandwich so it stays gooey on the inside and crisp on the outside.
To Freeze: While you can freeze a grilled cheese sandwich, it is best to make it from scratch. If you have leftovers, they can be frozen in an airtight container and kept in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Air fryer Directions: 360°F for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through. It turns out crispy and delicious!

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Breakfast, Dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American

Author: Kasey Schwartz

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Equipment

skillet or nonstick pan
spatula

Ingredients

▢ 2 slices bread (white, whole wheat, or sourdough)
▢ 2-3 slices cheese (cheddar, American, or your favorite melting cheese)
▢ 1-2 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions

Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in a skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat.
Add the cheese slices on top of the bread, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Place the second slice of bread on top of the cheese, buttered side up.
Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the bottom slice is golden brown and crispy. Flip the sandwich carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Once both sides are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted, remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it rest for 1 minute before slicing.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Video

Notes

– For extra crispy bread, use mayonnaise instead of butter on the outside of the slices.

– Try mixing cheeses for a more complex flavor—cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda make a great combination!

– Cook on low-medium heat to ensure the cheese melts fully without burning the bread.

– Feel free to add extras like cooked bacon, sliced tomatoes, or caramelized onions for a gourmet twist.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

A good grilled cheese is pure comfort food—simple, cheesy, and so satisfying. With the right cheese, bread, and a few pro tips, you’ll get that crispy, buttery crust and melty, gooey center every single time.

I hope you enjoy this delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich! If you give it a try, please share your experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag me on social media @allthingsmamma and use the hashtag #allthingsmamma.