Even though it has a very delicious taste, actually a grilled cheese sandwich is only made from two simple ingredients, namely crispy toasted bread and melted cheese. If you want to serve up a snack that's easy to make but still feels filling, try baking cheese sandwiches in the oven for the best texture and flavor. Don't have an oven or are in a hurry? You can also use an electric toaster or even a microwave! After you've tried the basic recipe for classic grilled cheese sandwiches, try modifying the ingredients and flavorings used to make your bread taste even more unique!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. (14 grams) butter, soften the texture at room temperature
- 2 pieces of white bread
- 1-2 sheets of favorite cheese
- Tomato (optional)
- Apple slices (optional)
- Processed meat (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making Classic Toasted Cheese Sandwich
Step 1. Grease one surface of the bread with butter
Prepare two slices of your favorite bread. Then, grease one surface of each slice of bread with butter that has been softened at room temperature. Be careful, but frozen butter is not only difficult to spread, it can also tear the surface of the bread when used. Make sure the butter is spread evenly so that the texture of the bread can be crispy more evenly and not burnt when baking.
- For a classic-flavored grilled cheese sandwich, use plain white bread.
- If you want to make a healthier version of the sandwich, try using whole wheat bread, whole grain bread, spouted wheat bread, or gluten free bread.
- Get creative with different types of bread, such as rye or sourdough bread, for a more unique taste.
- If the bread is too thick, the cheese content in it will be difficult to melt.
Tip:
You can also brush the bread with mayonnaise instead of butter to enhance the taste. However, be aware that doing so can make the taste and texture of the bread feel greasy.
Step 2. Heat a nonstick skillet on the stove over medium to high heat
Place a nonstick skillet on the stove, then preheat it to high heat first. Make sure the pan is really hot before you place the bread sheet on it. To check the correct temperature of the pan, you can pour a few drops of water on it. If the water evaporates immediately and you hear a hissing sound, it means the pan is hot enough to use.
Make sure the pan is not too hot so the bread doesn't end up burning when the cheese isn't completely melted
Step 3. Place the bread sheet on the pan
Once the pan is hot enough, place a piece of bread on the pan with the buttered side down. Then, place 1-2 slices of your favorite cheese on top, followed by a second slice of bread with the buttered side up.
- While American cheese is the quickest variant to melt when heated, you can also use other types of cheese or even combine several types of cheese for a more unique taste.
- Try using cheddar, provolone, Swiss, gouda, or pepper jack for a slightly different flavor than usual.
- If you want the cheese to melt faster, you can also use grated cheese.
Step 4. Bake the bread for 3-4 minutes or until the bottom is crisp and golden brown
Periodically lift the bread with a spatula to make sure the bottom texture and color are to your liking. Also make sure the bread is not baked for too long so it doesn't end up burning, OK!
Always monitor the baking process so the bread doesn't end up burning and your kitchen doesn't burn
Step 5. Turn the bread over and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes
Slide a spatula into the bottom of the bread, then flip quickly to bake the buttered on the top sheet of bread. Gently press the bread down with a spatula so that it cooks more evenly. Re-bake the bread for a few minutes or until it turns golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
- Be careful when turning the bread so that the filling doesn't fall in all directions. If necessary, hold the bread in your hands when turning it over.
- Flip the bread one more time if the surface is not completely crisp and browned.
Step 6. Cut the bread before serving
Transfer the bread to a cutting board once it's cooked, then use a bread knife or vegetable knife to slice the sandwich diagonally to allow it to cool before serving. Serve the sandwiches warm!
- Since the melted cheese will be very hot, be careful when biting into the sandwich so you don't burn your mouth.
- Leftover sandwiches can be wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Method 2 of 5: Baking Cheese Sandwich in the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 230°C and make sure the rack is at the top of the oven so that the sandwich is done more perfectly
While waiting for the oven to heat up, prepare the ingredients that will be used to make the sandwich. Once the oven is hot, the sandwich baking process can begin immediately.
If you don't want to heat a regular oven, you can also use an electric toaster
Step 2. Grease one surface of the bread with butter
Prepare two sheets of your favorite bread, then grease one surface of each sheet with butter. Make sure the butter is spread evenly so that the level of crispness and color of the bread can be more even, and also prevent the bread from burning.
- Soften the butter if it is still frozen so that it can be spread more easily to the surface of the bread.
- If you want, you can also brush the surface of the bread with mayonnaise instead of butter.
Step 3. Arrange the bread sheets on the baking sheet with the buttered side down
Use a rimmed baking sheet that is large enough to allow the two bread sheets to be placed about 2.5 cm apart. Make sure that the buttered side is facing down so that the bread will have a crisper texture when baking.
If you don't have a rimmed flat pan, you can also use a regular flat pan. However, be aware that using a regular flat pan, butter can easily drip to the bottom of the oven when heated
Tip:
Line the pan with aluminum foil so you don't have to bother cleaning the pan afterwards. When the pan has cooled down, you can remove the aluminum foil and throw it away.
Step 4. Place 1-2 pieces of cheese on the surface of the bread
Use your favorite type of cheese, such as American cheese, cheddar cheese, or provolone cheese. Also, make sure the cheese doesn't go over the edge of the bread so that the melt doesn't run to the bottom of the pan while baking.
- Try using a different type of cheese, such as mozzarella, Swiss, or gouda for a different flavor.
- Cheese can be placed on top of one of the slices of bread if you don't like the taste of the sandwich, which is too creamy and greasy.
Step 5. Bake each slice of bread for 4-5 minutes or until small bubbles appear on the surface of the cheese
Place the baking sheet on the top rack of the oven and set the baking time to 4 or 5 minutes. While baking, make sure you check the condition of the bread periodically to prevent the risk of scorching. After 4-5 minutes, the cheese should start to melt and look bubbly from the extreme heat.
Step 6. Remove the pan to arrange the sandwiches
Remove the baking sheet from the oven so you can begin assembling each sheet of bread into a sandwich. Use a spatula to pick up one slice of bread and place it on top of the other. Make sure the two slices of bread are stacked neatly so that no melted cheese drips onto the bottom of the pan.
- Do not rush to turn off the oven because after this, you will still have to bake the sandwich one last time.
- Since the baking sheet will be very hot, make sure you wear special oven mitts when touching it.
Step 7. Bake the sandwich again for 3-4 minutes to make it crispier
Return the pan to the oven and bake the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes until they are crisp and golden brown in color. Once these conditions are met, remove the pan from the oven and let the sandwiches cool for a while before serving.
- Since bread and cheese will be very hot once they are removed from the oven, be careful not to burn your skin or mouth when you touch or eat them.
- The sandwich doesn't need to be re-baked in the oven once the surface is crisp and golden brown.
- Place leftover sandwiches in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Method 3 of 5: Baking Cheese Sandwich with an Electric Toaster
Step 1. Lay the toaster so you can load the bread horizontally
Remember, the cheese in the sandwich will not melt if the toaster is in an upright position when using it. Therefore, slowly lay the toaster so that the loaf in it is horizontal instead of vertical. That way, the cheese will melt without splattering in all directions.
If your toaster won't sleep, try buying a toaster bag at various online stores to keep the bread toasting well even if it's vertical
Step 2. Place the cheese on top of the two slices of bread, then slide each slice into the space in the toaster
Once the cheese is placed on each sheet of bread, place the bread in a special container provided on the toaster, being very careful not to spill the cheese on the surface.
- Make sure the texture of the bread sheet isn't too thick to make it easier to put in the toaster.
- While American cheese is the easiest variant to melt in the grill, you can actually use any type of cheese.
Warning:
Make sure the cheese doesn't go over the edge of the bread so the melt doesn't fall into the toaster and cause a fire!
Step 3. Bake the bread and cheese for 3-4 minutes before turning off the toaster
Set the toaster to run for 5 minutes, then lower the available lever to start the toaster process. After 3-4 minutes or before 5 minutes is over, turn off the toaster by pulling the cord so the cooked bread doesn't jump out and litter your countertop.
Always monitor the baking process to prevent fires due to the toaster not being turned off on time
Step 4. Remove the bread from the toaster and start assembling your sandwich
Slowly return the lever to make it easier to remove the bread from the toaster. Then, remove the bread with a plastic spatula or fork, then immediately arrange it into a sandwich and serve it warm.
- Never insert metal objects into the toaster, even if the grill is not connected to electricity.
- If the bread isn't crispy or the cheese isn't melted, try baking it again for 1-2 minutes.
- Leftover sandwiches can be stored tightly closed in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Method 4 of 5: Microwave Toast Cheese Sandwich
Step 1. Toast the bread first using an electric toaster until the texture is crisp
First, place the two slices of bread that you want to turn into sandwiches in an electric toaster, then bake them for 3-4 minutes or until the surface is golden brown. Once cooked, the bread can be removed from the toaster and ready to be processed into sandwiches.
If you wish, you can also skip this step, although as a result, the texture of the sandwich won't be as crisp as it should be
Step 2. Fill the bread with 1-2 sheets of your favorite cheese
Place 1-2 thin slices of cheese on top of one slice of bread, then place the second sheet on top of it.
American cheese is the type of cheese that melts most easily in the microwave. However, if you have trouble finding it in the supermarket, you can also use any type of cheese
Step 3. Wrap the sandwich in a paper towel so that the cheese inside melts faster
Doing so will ensure that the heat from the microwave will be better trapped in the bread. As a result, the cheese can melt faster without the risk of making the texture of the bread feel mushy. Once wrapped in kitchen paper, set aside the bread that is ready to be baked on a special plate.
Step 4. Bake the sandwich in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until the cheese is melted
Place the sandwich in the center of the microwave and bake in 15-20 second intervals. When one baking session is over, unwrap the bread and check to see if the cheese inside has melted. If not, put the bread in the microwave and bake for another 15 seconds. If so, unwrap the sandwich and serve it right away!
- The longer the baking process lasts, the softer the texture of the bread will be when eaten.
- Place leftover sandwiches in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Method 5 of 5: Modifying the Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe
Step 1. Add tomatoes to the sandwich for a fresher taste
First of all, prepare 2-3 slices of fresh tomatoes, then place them on top of the cheese filling sandwich. Then, bake the bread as usual until the cheese melts around the tomatoes, and add a little fresh basil to give the sandwich a refreshing taste.
- Try using mozzarella cheese to make a grilled cheese sandwich that tastes like pizza.
- If you wish, the tomatoes can be diced so that the freshness can be felt more in every bite.
Step 2. Add apple slices to the sandwich for a sweet and salty taste
Slice the apples about 0.64 cm thick to allow for a more even temperature when baking. Then, lay the apple slices over the cheese, and bake the sandwich as usual. The combination of melted cheese and apple slices that soften when heated makes for a very delicious sweet and salty taste!
Try using cheddar, brie, or gouda cheese to enhance the flavor of your grilled cheese sandwich
Tip:
Do not use apples that have a sour taste because the taste will not blend perfectly with the cheese.
Step 3. Make a ham and cheese sandwich to increase the protein content
Place a few thin slices of ham on the surface of the bread, then add the cheese sheet on top. Then, bake the sandwich as usual until the meat is warm and the cheese is melted. Once this condition is reached, cut the bread in half to lower the temperature.
- Use cheddar or Swiss cheese for a classic flavour.
- If you want, you can also use other types of processed meat, such as roast beef or turkey.
- Add enough tomatoes or pickles to enhance the taste of the sandwich.
Step 4. Spread the pesto sauce on one of the bread's surfaces to make an Italian-style sandwich
Before placing the second sheet of bread, try spreading a thin layer of pesto sauce on one side of the non-buttered bread. Then, bake the bread until it is golden brown all over and the cheese inside is melted.
- You can make your own pesto sauce or buy it at major supermarkets.
- Try using mozzarella cheese for a different flavor.
Step 5. Serve the grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup for a classic dish
If you wish, you can also enrich the flavor of the toast by serving it with a soup made from roasted chilies. Heat the soup on the stove or in the microwave, and immediately serve it with a plate of toast while it's still warm. Before eating, dip the toast in the soup to make the flavors of the two blend well!
If you want, you can make your own soup or buy it at the supermarket
Tips
Get creative with different types of cheeses and toppings to find the flavor combination that best suits your taste buds
Warning
- Be careful when you take a bite of bread for the first time. Make sure the temperature of the bread is cool enough before eating!
- If you have to touch a very hot object, always wear special gloves so you don't burn your skin.
