Description
Melty, golden-brown Gourmet Grilled Cheese elevates comfort food to an art form. Crisp sourdough, sharp cheddar, and caramelized onions create a symphony of flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheese or 2–3 slices
Classic:
- 1 part sharp cheddar
- 1 part mozzarella
Gourmet:
- 1 part gruyere
- 1 part fontina
- 1 part parmesan
Spicy:
- 1 part pepper jack
- 1 part cheddar
- 1 sprinkle red pepper flakes
Bread:
- 2 slices thick-cut bread (sourdough, brioche, or white bread)
Spread:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened
- Option: 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) mayonnaise for extra crispy crust
Instructions
- Select two slices of bread, preferably a sturdy white or sourdough variety that can withstand grilling without falling apart.
- Prepare the butter or mayonnaise spread by ensuring it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency at room temperature.
- Generously coat one side of each bread slice with the chosen fat, ensuring complete and even coverage from edge to edge.
- Position the bread slices with buttered surfaces facing downward on a clean preparation surface.
- Layer selected cheese varieties in the center of one bread slice, ensuring complete coverage but avoiding overstuffing.
- Consider combining multiple cheese types like sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Carefully place the second bread slice on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing upward.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle over medium-low temperature to prevent burning and ensure uniform toasting.
- Gently transfer the assembled sandwich to the preheated cooking surface.
- Cook until the bottom slice transforms into a golden-brown, crispy texture, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully flip the sandwich using a spatula, maintaining the structural integrity of the cheese layers.
- Continue cooking the opposite side until achieving a matching golden-brown color and the cheese melts completely.
- Remove from heat, let rest for one minute to allow cheese to stabilize, then slice diagonally for serving.
Notes
- Choose high-moisture, melty cheeses like sharp cheddar or gruyère for ultimate gooeyness and flavor depth.
- Let butter reach room temperature for smooth, even spreading that creates a perfectly golden, crispy exterior.
- Consider using a cast-iron skillet to achieve consistent heat distribution and create an irresistibly crunchy bread surface.
- Experiment with mayo instead of butter for an unexpected tangy twist and extra-crisp texture that elevates the classic sandwich.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg