Crispy, buttery bread slathered with garlicky goodness and stuffed with melty cheese that stretches with every bite. This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese is what happens when two of the best comfort foods decide to team up, and I'm never going back to regular grilled cheese again. I first made this on a rainy afternoon when my sister Emma came over craving something warm and cheesy, and we threw together what we had in the fridge. The smell of garlic and butter hitting that hot skillet made us both hover around the stove like hungry kids. It's ready in 15 minutes and uses ingredients you probably already have.
If you love quick breakfasts, you'll also want to check out my Boursin Chicken and Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps for more cozy favorites.
Why You'll Love This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
It's insanely flavorful. The Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese on the outside adds so much flavor that every bite tastes like you're eating garlic bread and grilled cheese at the same time.
Ready in 15 minutes. From start to finish, this quick Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese recipe takes less time than ordering delivery.
Uses simple ingredients. Bread, butter, garlic, cheese, and a few pantry staples. Nothing fancy, just really good food.
Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. That golden-brown crust gives way to soft, melty cheese that stretches with every bite.
Totally customizable. Add tomato soup on the side, throw in some caramelized onions, or use your favorite cheese blend. It's a blank canvas for comfort.
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Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Here's everything to make this cheesy garlic sandwich come together in minutes.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Sandwich bread: Sourdough with a soft crust is my favorite because it gets crispy without getting too hard. Regular sandwich bread or sliced brioche also work beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter spreads easily and creates that crispy, golden exterior everyone loves. Using unsalted lets you control the salt level.
- Mayonnaise: This is the secret to an extra-crispy crust. It spreads smoothly and helps the bread brown evenly without burning.
- Garlic: Very finely minced garlic gives the butter that punchy, aromatic flavor. Fresh is best here.
- Italian parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that balances the richness of the butter and cheese.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together.
- Freshly shredded cheese: Gruyere, Colby Jack, and smoked Cheddar make the best melty, stretchy filling. Freshly shredded cheese melts so much better than pre-shredded because it doesn't have anti-caking agents.
How to Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
This grilled cheese with Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese comes together fast, so have everything ready before you start cooking.
Prepare garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until smooth and well combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. This is your secret weapon for crispy, flavorful bread.
Assemble sandwiches: Spread the garlic butter generously on one side of each bread slice. Don't be shy with it. Place the shredded cheese on top of one slice, then cover it with the second slice, buttered side facing up. You want garlic butter on both outer sides of the sandwich.
Preheat skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Medium-low is key here because it gives the cheese enough time to melt completely before the crust gets too dark. If the heat is too high, you'll end up with burnt bread and cold cheese in the middle.
Cook sandwiches: Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook each side for about 5 minutes, flipping a few times to ensure even browning. Press down gently with your spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt and the bread toast evenly. You'll know it's ready when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is visibly melted and gooey.
Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them in half, and serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy and warm.
Substitutions and Variations
Different cheese options. Swiss, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Gouda, or Muenster all melt beautifully. Mix a few types for more complex flavor.
Use frozen garlic bread. If you want a super quick version, you can make garlic bread grilled cheese using frozen Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese. Just thaw it slightly, add cheese, and cook in the skillet.
Try garlic powder. If you don't have fresh garlic, you can make garlic bread grilled cheese with garlic powder. Use about 1 teaspoon mixed into the butter.
Add protein. Tuck in some sliced deli meat, crispy bacon, or leftover rotisserie chicken for a heartier sandwich.
Make it in the oven. For garlic bread grilled cheese in oven, assemble the sandwiches, place them on a baking sheet, and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air fryer version. For garlic bread grilled cheese air fryer style, cook at 370°F for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and melty.
Serve with tomato soup. Garlic bread grilled cheese and tomato soup is a match made in heaven. The tangy soup cuts through the richness of the cheese and garlic.
Add caramelized onions or roasted garlic. These add sweetness and depth without overpowering the cheese.
Equipment
Non-stick skillet: Keeps the bread from sticking and makes flipping easy. A good non-stick pan is essential for even browning.
Box grater: Freshly shredded cheese melts so much better than pre-shredded. It only takes a minute and makes a huge difference.
Small mixing bowl: For mixing the garlic butter ingredients together.
Spatula: A thin, flexible spatula makes flipping and pressing the sandwiches easy without tearing the bread.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The bread will soften a bit, but it still tastes great.
Freezer: I don't recommend freezing these. The texture of the bread and cheese changes too much once thawed.
Reheating: The best way to reheat is in a skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes on each side. This helps the bread crisp back up and the cheese get melty again. You can also use a toaster oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crust crispy.
Serving Suggestions
With tomato soup. This is the classic pairing. Dip the crispy, cheesy sandwich into warm, tangy tomato soup for the ultimate comfort meal.
Alongside a simple salad. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the sandwich.
With pickles or chips. A handful of crunchy dill pickles or kettle chips on the side adds texture and cuts through the richness.
As a late-night snack. Sometimes you just need something warm, cheesy, and garlicky at 10 p.m. This hits the spot every time.
Top Tip
Use softened butter, not melted. Softened butter spreads easily without tearing the bread. Melted butter will soak in too much and make the bread soggy.
Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded cheese melts into those gorgeous, stretchy strands.
Don't skip the mayo. It might sound weird, but mayo in the Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese helps the bread brown evenly and adds extra richness without making it greasy.
Keep the heat low. Medium-low heat is your friend. It gives the cheese time to melt without burning the bread. Be patient.
Flip a few times. Flipping the sandwich 2 to 3 times helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents one side from getting too dark.
FAQ
What is the secret to a good Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese sandwich?
The secret is low and slow heat, freshly shredded cheese, and using both butter and mayo on the outside of the bread. The butter adds flavor, while the mayo helps the bread brown evenly without burning. Don't rush it. Let the cheese melt completely while the bread gets golden and crispy. Pressing down gently with a spatula also helps everything meld together.
How to make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese toastie?
A Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese toastie is basically this recipe. Mix softened butter with minced garlic and parsley, spread it on the outside of your bread, add cheese in the middle, and cook it in a skillet or panini press over medium-low heat until golden and melty. You can also bake it in the oven or use an air fryer for a crispy result.
Does Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese need to be refrigerated after cooking?
If you're eating it within a couple of hours, you can leave it at room temperature. But if you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese can go bad if left out too long, especially in warm weather.
Are you supposed to toast bread before making grilled cheese?
No, you don't need to toast the bread first. The whole point of grilled cheese is that the bread toasts directly in the skillet with the butter or Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese on the outside. Toasting it beforehand would make it too dry and hard. You want the bread to cook and crisp up at the same time the cheese melts.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, mayonnaise, garlic, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and mix until smooth.
- Spread garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. Top one slice with shredded cheese and cover with the second slice, buttered side up.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat until warm.
- Place sandwich in skillet. Cook slowly, flipping occasionally and gently pressing with a spatula, until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted (about 4-5 minutes total).
- Remove from skillet, slice, and serve immediately while warm and melty.
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