Best Way to Make The Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Step-by-Step Guide

Grilled cheese might sound like the easiest thing in the world to make, just bread and cheese, right? But trust me, it’s not that simple. A lot of people end up with bread that’s burnt on the outside, cheese that’s not fully melted, or a sandwich that just doesn’t taste as good as it should.

The good news is, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. In this grilled cheese recipe, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ve ever had. I’ll break down every step in detail so you can get it right the first time, and every time after.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Cheese

For this recipe, I’m using a block of cheddar cheese. I prefer to grate it because grated cheese melts faster and more evenly. If you’d rather use sliced cheese, you can, but keep in mind it won’t melt as smoothly. The great thing about grilled cheese is that you can play around with different cheeses—Swiss, mozzarella, or even a mix of a few types can all work beautifully.

Bread

My go-to bread for this grilled cheese recipe is sourdough. It has the perfect balance: sturdy enough to give you a crispy crust, but soft and chewy inside. Those air bubbles in sourdough also help trap the cheese and make every bite more satisfying. Of course, you can use other bread if you like, but sourdough just has that magic touch for grilled cheese.

Other Ingredients

• Butter – to give the bread that golden, crispy finish.
• Mayonnaise – spreads easily and helps create an even crust.
• Grated parmesan cheese – for extra flavor and a little crunch on the outside.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need a fancy kitchen setup to make a perfect grilled cheese, but having the right tools will make things easier. Here’s what I recommend:

• Non-stick Pan – This is where all the magic happens. A good non-stick pan keeps the bread from sticking and helps you get that golden crust without burning.
• Wire Rack (optional) – I like to use this when I’m building the sandwich so the outside of the bread doesn’t get soggy before hitting the pan.
• Spatula – A wide spatula is your best friend here. It makes flipping the sandwich smooth and keeps everything intact.
• Cheese Grater – If you’re using a block of cheese (which I recommend), you’ll need this to shred the cheese so it melts quickly and evenly.
• Knife & Cutting Board – For slicing the bread and prepping everything before cooking.
• Lid for Your Pan – This one is key. Covering the pan helps trap heat and melt the cheese perfectly without over-toasting the bread.

That’s it! Just a few basic tools, and you’re ready to make grilled cheese that’s crispy on the outside and Rich and creamy on the inside.

Follow These Steps

Step 1: Grate your block of Cheddar until you have a nice handful. Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly.

Step 2: Take your bread slices and spread butter and mayonnaise on the outside. This combo gives your grilled cheese that golden-brown look and perfect crunch.

Step 3: Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on the buttered side of the bread. Spread it evenly so every bite gets that extra flavor and crisp.

Step 4: Lay one slice of bread on a wire rack with the buttered side facing down. Add the grated Cheddar on top, spreading it evenly from edge to edge. Be careful not to pile on too much cheese, just enough for good coverage without making it difficult to melt.

Step 5: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat.

Step 6: Melt a small pat of butter on the pan’s surface.

Step 7: Place your sandwich in the pan once it’s hot.Step 8: Gently press the sandwich down with your hand. This helps the bread toast evenly and develop that even golden-brown crust.

Step 9: When the bottom smells toasted and looks golden, carefully flip your sandwich.

Step 10: Put a lid on the pan to trap heat. This helps the cheese inside melt all the way through.

Step 11: Keep an eye on it. You want melted cheese, not burnt bread. Once the cheese has melted, take your sandwich out of the pan, place it on a plate, and dig in!

Chef’s Tip

Having trouble getting the cheese to melt? Try this trick: while your sandwich is cooking, tilt the pan slightly and drop a small amount of water, but be careful not to let the water touch the bread. Then, cover the pan with a lid. The steam that builds up will help the cheese melt faster and more evenly.