This is the best grilled cheese sandwich recipe – ever! Two types of cheese are melted between slices of buttery, golden-brown bread for an easy grilled cheese sandwich that’s crispy on the outside and perfectly gooey inside. Follow my tested & perfected, step-by-step method to make a truly life-changing grilled cheese sandwich.

Few comfort foods hit the spot quite like a great grilled cheese sandwich, especially when it’s served alongside a bowl of homemade tomato soup.

I am so passionate about making the best grilled cheese sandwich that my husband and I used to have grilled cheese competitions to see whose method and ingredient combinations reigned supreme (spoiler alert: I won every time)!

Over the years I perfected my method, and the secret is to cook the grilled cheese sandwich low and slow in a covered skillet. I also start with a cold pan so the cheese fully melts without the bread burning.

It’s an easy, 4-ingredient meal that’s ready in minutes and makes the perfect lunch or dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Cheese Recipe

• Perfectly cooked. My low-and-slow cooking method gives the cheese plenty of time to melt while the bread becomes golden-brown, not burned.
• Buttery exterior. Cooking the bread in butter is next level delicious.
• 4 ingredients. All you need is bread, butter and two kinds of cheese.
• Easy to make. It only takes a few minutes to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
• Kid-approved. It’s an easy lunch or dinner that my entire family loves.

Grilled Cheese Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

• Bread. I recommend a hearty bread that holds up well to being buttered and grilled. I suggest a hearty brioche, sourdough, homemade white sandwich bread, homemade honey wheat bread, etc.
• Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted, but salted is best because the salty, buttery grilled outside is part of what makes this grilled cheese sandwich so great. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy spreading.
• Cheddar cheese. I recommend medium or sharp cheddar for the best flavor.
• American cheese. American cheese melts beautifully, which is why I pair it with cheddar to make the perfect gooey grilled cheese.

What’s The Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese?

I believe the best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches is a combination of medium cheddar and American cheese. Or use mozzarella and try my pizza grilled cheese!

However, you can use any variety of sliced cheese to suit your preferences. Here are my top suggestions:

• Medium or sharp cheddar (white or yellow)
• American cheese
• Swiss cheese
• Sliced smoked gouda
• Colby Jack
• Monterey Jack
• Provolone
• Havarti
• Pepper Jack

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I know it might seem silly to give step-by-step instructions on how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. However – the method really matters when it comes to making the best grilled cheese you’ve ever had in your entire life!

So, we’ll walk through how to make the best grilled cheese together, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin assembling the grilled cheese by placing 2 slices of medium cheddar cheese and 1 slice American cheese on a piece of bread.

Then, cover the cheese with a second slice of bread.

Then, use ½ Tablespoon of salted butter to butter the outside of each of the pieces of bread. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second sandwich.

To clarify, you use 1 Tablespoon butter for each sandwich, and spread half a tablespoon on each outer piece of bread for each sandwich.

Then, both sandwiches in a large skillet that has not been preheated. This is key when it comes to making sure the cheese melts before the outside becomes too brown.

Secret to a Perfectly Cooked Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The secret to making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich is low heat and patience!

I start the sandwiches in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Starting with a cold pan gives the cheese time to warm and melt while the bread slowly becomes crispy and golden-brown.

Do not turn the heat higher to make it cook faster. Patience will pay off here.

Then, once the sandwiches are in the skillet, turn on the heat on to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid.

Cook the grilled cheese on medium-low for 5-10 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden-brown. Do not rush it by turning the heat up. The “low and slow, covered” method ensure perfectly melted cheese and a golden brown exterior.

Flip the sandwich over and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is melted. Note: the second side will cook faster since the skillet will be heated up by the time you flip the sandwich over.

Once the second side of the grilled cheese is golden-brown, remove the sandwiches from the pan and serve immediately.

What to Serve with Grilled Cheese

I suggest serving this grilled cheese recipe with a bowl of homemade tomato soup. If there’s a better cozy comfort food combination, I have yet to discover it! Or try any of our favorite soup recipes.

Or you can serve it as a meal all by itself. I often make it for lunch for my kids during the colder months. You can serve it with some roasted broccoli or a delicious salad for some extra nutrition.

How to Store Leftover Grilled Cheese

If you have any leftover grilled cheese sandwiches, let them cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Reheat

Reheat the grilled cheese in a nonstick frying pan (covered) over medium heat to re-crisp the outside of the bread. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave but it will lose some of the outer crispiness. 

Recipe FAQs

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!

Try These Recipes

Best BLT Sandwich

Best Tomato Soup Recipe

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

White Sandwich Bread

Pizza Grilled Cheese