Remember those days? The ones where a simple grilled cheese sandwich was the ultimate comfort food? Maybe it was after a chilly day playing outside, or just a cozy Saturday afternoon. There’s just something magical about crispy bread and gooey, melty cheese, right?
Well, what if we took that classic, beloved sandwich and gave it a little glow-up? What if we combined it with the irresistible aroma and flavor of garlic bread? Friends, prepare yourselves, because this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese is about to change your life. It’s incredibly easy, surprisingly quick, and packs such a punch of flavor, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life. It’s pure comfort, elevated!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: We’re talking just minutes from craving to biting into cheesy, garlicky heaven. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
- Easy: Seriously, if you can spread butter and flip a sandwich, you’ve got this. Minimal ingredients, maximum deliciousness.
- Giftable: Okay, maybe not the sandwich itself (though a thoughtful friend might deliver one!), but the concept is perfect for teaching someone a simple, impressive trick!
- Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Put them together, and you’re officially the hero of snack time (or dinner time!).
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need for this simple masterpiece:
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened: Make sure it’s good and soft so it mixes easily. You can leave it on the counter for a bit, or even gently microwave it for just a few seconds if you forget (like I sometimes do!).
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder: This is where the magic happens! Garlic powder distributes beautifully into the butter.
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley: Adds that classic garlic bread look and a touch of fresh flavor.
- 4 slices bread: Your favorite sandwich bread works great! Think classic white bread, sourdough, or even a sturdy Italian loaf slice.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend: The perfect duo for melting and flavor! Feel free to adjust this blend to your liking.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is so simple, you’ll be amazed.
- First things first, grab a small mixing bowl. Toss in your softened butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Now, grab a spoon or a small spatula and stir it all together until everything is super well combined. You want that garlic and parsley evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Now, take your four slices of bread. This is where you get to be generous! Spread that yummy garlic butter mixture evenly all the way to the edges on one side of each of your four slices of bread.
- Okay, time to build the sandwiches! Flip two of your buttered bread slices over so the buttered side is face-down. These are the bottoms of your sandwiches. Divide that lovely shredded cheese blend equally between these two slices. Now, place the remaining two bread slices on top, with the buttered side facing up. You should now have two beautiful, ready-to-grill sandwiches!
- Head over to your stovetop and place your sandwiches in a large sauté pan or skillet. Turn the heat to low. This is key! Low and slow is the secret to a perfectly golden, crispy exterior and fully melted cheese inside. Let them cook for about 4-5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready for the flip when the bottom is a gorgeous golden brown and looks nice and crispy.
- Using a spatula (be gentle!), carefully flip both sandwiches. Let them continue to cook on the second side for another 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for that same beautiful golden color on the other side, and peek inside – the cheese should be gloriously melted and gooey.
- Once they’re perfect, remove the sandwiches from the pan. I like to let them rest for just a second on a cutting board before slicing. Slice in half (diagonally, of course – it just tastes better!) and serve immediately. Get ready for that first amazing bite!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas:
- Cheese: Swap the blend! Try provolone, Monterey Jack, a sharp white cheddar, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra garlic bread vibes.
- Herbs: Don’t have dried parsley? A pinch of dried Italian seasoning works well, or even some fresh chopped parsley stirred into the butter (though fresh herbs can brown faster).
- Garlic Power: If you’re a serious garlic lover, you could add a tiny pinch of garlic salt along with the powder (be mindful of the saltiness!). Or, for an even stronger flavor, try roasting a garlic clove until soft, mashing it, and mixing a small amount into the butter (start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon).
- Make it Deluxe: Add a thin slice of tomato, some caramelized onions, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat inside the cheese.
- Serve it With: This is perfect dipped in warm marinara sauce or served alongside a cozy bowl of tomato soup!
Tips for Success
Making the perfect grilled cheese is simple, but a few tips can take it from good to absolutely incredible!
- Soften Your Butter: I can’t stress this enough! Hard butter is a pain to mix and spread.
- Low and Slow is the Way to Go: Resist the urge to crank up the heat. High heat burns the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt properly. Low heat ensures a golden crust and perfectly gooey center.
- Spread Evenly: Get that butter mixture all the way to the edges of the bread for maximum crispiness and flavor.
- Don’t Overload the Cheese: While tempting, too much cheese can ooze out and make a mess, or prevent the cheese from melting evenly. A generous but manageable amount is best.
- Prep Ahead: You can mix the garlic butter ahead of time and keep it in a small container in the fridge for a few days. Just let it soften slightly before spreading.
How to Store It
Honestly, grilled cheese is best eaten immediately when it’s hot, crispy, and gooey! Leftovers just aren’t quite the same.
However, if you do end up with extra (which I doubt will happen!), let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or place it in an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days.
To reheat, the best method is back in a skillet over low heat, covered, until warmed through and the cheese is melted again. Microwaving will make it soft, not crispy!
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got (quick) answers!
Can I use different types of cheese?
Absolutely! Any cheese or blend that melts well is fair game. Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, Monterey Jack, or even a mix with a little Swiss or Gruyere would be delicious.
Why cook it on low heat?
Low heat prevents the bread from burning before the cheese has time to fully melt through. It gives you that perfect golden-brown crust and a smooth, gooey interior.
Can I make the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes! Mix the butter, garlic powder, and parsley together and store it in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week. Let it soften slightly before spreading on the bread.
My cheese isn’t melting! What went wrong?
This usually happens if the heat is too high (burning the outside before the inside is hot) or if you used cheese that doesn’t melt well (like some pre-shredded cheeses with anti-caking agents, or hard cheeses like Parmesan as the main cheese). Make sure your heat is low and give it enough time.
Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: In a small mixing bowl, combine softened butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Stir until super well combined and the garlic and parsley are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
- Step 2: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly all the way to the edges on one side of each of your four slices of bread.
- Step 3: Flip two of your buttered bread slices over so the buttered side is face-down. Divide the shredded cheese blend equally between these two slices. Place the remaining two bread slices on top, with the buttered side facing up. You should now have two sandwiches.
- Step 4: Place your sandwiches in a large sauté pan or skillet. Turn the heat to low. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the bottom is a gorgeous golden brown and looks nice and crispy.
- Step 5: Using a spatula, carefully flip both sandwiches. Let them continue to cook on the second side for another 4-5 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese is gloriously melted and gooey.
- Step 6: Remove from the pan. Let them rest for a second on a cutting board before slicing in half (diagonally, of course!). Serve immediately.