Just when you thought the grilled cheese sandwich couldn’t get any better, here comes garlic bread grilled cheese! Slather homemade garlic butter on sourdough bread, top it with cheese and then grill them to cheesy, gooey, toasty perfection.
Ready to try more delicious sandwich recipes? Try this Easy Tuna Sandwich Recipe and Turkey Avocado Sandwich with Yuzu.
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I recently was scrolling on TikTok and came across garlic bread grilled cheese. It’s such a genius idea, that I don’t know how I didn’t think of it sooner. You get the garlicky, buttery, savory favor of crusty garlic bread and the melty, cheesy goodness that is the classic grilled cheese.
I put my own spin on it and now, this is the only way I make my grilled cheese sandwich.
Why This Recipe Works
- Best of Both Worlds – If you’re a foodie and have a tough time making a decision when you have a craving, grilled cheese garlic bread is a yummy compromise.
- Versatile – This recipe is easy to adapt; swap the bread, the cheese, and have fun with tasty add-ons!
- Simple – When you want something delicious but you need to make a grocery run, garlic bread grilled cheese sandwich is the answer. It’s definitely better than a PB&J or a pack of ramen (though I love both!)
Tools You’ll Need
- Foil or Small oven-proof dish with lid
- Grater
- Mixing Bowl
- Nonstick Skillet
Ingredients You Will Need for Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
This garlic bread grilled cheese recipe comes together with simple ingredients that you already have.
Garlic Butter
- Heads of garlic – Once roasted, garlic has a mellow sweet, nutty taste that is truly mouthwatering.
- Salted butter – Use softened, room temerature butter so it’s easier to mix.
- Italian parsley – Add finely chopped parsley for color and an herbaceous taste.
- Kosher salt – I always go with Diamond Crystal.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated is best.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Cheese – I use a mix of freshly shredded Monterrey jack cheese and sharp cheddar cheese.
- Sourdough boule bread – Subtly sweet, sour, and chewy, sourdough bread is my top choice for grilled cheese. The firm crust of sourdough provides a satisfying crunch in contrast to the ooey gooey cheese.
Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese
There are two main factors to consider when choosing what cheeses to use for grilled cheese: flavor and how well it melts. Based on that, here are my top picks:
- Sharp Cheddar – This is best for classic grilled cheese.
- Monterrey Jack – It has a mild, buttery taste that pairs well with a bold cheese.
- American – American cheese is super creamy with a mild flavor.
- Gruyère – This cheese is nutty and rich.
How To Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Garlic powder won’t cut it! For major flavor, roast garlic for homemade garlic butter.
Garlic Butter
- Place oven rack in the middle and preheat to 400°F.
- Place garlic in foil or small oven-proof dish with lid and pour olive oil and salt. Cover with lid or wrap tightly with foil, making sure garlic head is facing up. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until garlic is tender. Meanwhile prepare the bowl of remaining ingredients for the garlic butter and tomato sauce.
- In a bowl, add butter, parsley, salt, and parmesan. Once garlic is cool enough to touch, press garlic out of the head from the root and into the butter mixture. Use a fork to mash and mix the mixture. Set mixture aside.
Grilled Cheese
- Over medium to medium-low heat, place 2 bread slices (butter side down) in a nonstick skillet. Top both sides with cheese then top with another slice of garlic buttered bread. Cover skillet with a lid. Once the bottom slice is golden brown, carefully flip, and cover again with lid.
2. Once the bottom side is golden brown and cheese is completely melted (about 4 minutes) transfer to a plate, slice in half and serve. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Do not cook garlic bread grilled cheese over high heat. You think you’re getting to the good stuff faster but you’re just burning the bread and not giving the cheese enough to melt. Keep it on medium heat.
- Making grilled cheeses for the whole family? Keep finished sandwiches warm in a preheated oven set to 200°F.
- Grated cheese melts more evenly than sliced cheese or pre-shredded cheese. It’s not coated with any additives that affect the taste and texture.
- Mix different types of cheese for a more complex flavor profile. Even if you swap the cheeses in this recipe, use at least two varieties of cheese for more flavor.
Variations
- Bread – Use your favorite bread. I’ve seen garlic bread grilled cheese recipes use brioche bread, French bread, white bread, and even pre-made Texas Toast.
- Cheese – You can use a combination of any of the cheeses listed above or your favorite cheese (i.e., gruyère, American, mozzarella, fontina, etc.).
- Additions – Add pepperoni or precooked meats like bacon or ham for a more filling meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is garlic bread grilled cheese?
Garlic bread grilled cheese is sliced bread coated with garlic butter that is then used to make a grilled cheese sandwich.
What makes a grilled cheese better?
If you’re bored with the standard grilled cheese recipe, enhance it by adding garlic butter spread to the bread slices before adding the cheese.
Do you toast both sides of bread for grilled cheese?
Toast both sides of the bread to ensure the grilled cheese doesn’t get soggy.
What should I serve with garlic bread grilled cheese?
Although it tastes amazing on its own, you can serve grilled cheese restaurant-style with tomato soup, a simple salad, or french fries.
Looking for More Cheesy Recipes
- French Bread Pizza
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Baked Brie with Honey Chili Oil
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Korean Corn Cheese
- Baked Brie Bread Bowl with Caramelized Onions
- Savory Dutch Baby (Croque Monsieur)
Loving this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe?
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Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- Foil or Small oven-proof dish with lid
- Mixing bowl
- Nonstick Skillet
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
- 2 heads garlic, ¼ inch top removed
- 1 stick salted butter
- 1 tablespoon italian parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, Diamond Crystal
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 4 ounces monterrey jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 4 ounces shard cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 8 slices sourdough boule bread
Instructions
Garlic Butter
- Place oven rack in the middle and preheat to 400°F.
- Place garlic in foil or small oven-proof dish with lid and pour olive oil and salt. Cover with lid or wrap tightly with foil, making sure garlic head is facing up. Roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until garlic is tender. Meanwhile prepare the bowl of remaining ingredients for the garlic butter and tomato sauce.
- In a bowl, add butter, parsley, salt, and parmesan. Once garlic is cool enough to touch, press garlic out of the head from the root and into the butter mixture. Use a fork to mash and mix the mixture. Set mixture aside.
Grilled Cheese
- Spread garlic butter on one side of two slices of bread.
- Over medium to medium-low heat, place 2 bread slices (buttered side down) in a nonstick skillet. Top both sides with cheese then top with another slice of garlic buttered bread. Cover skillet with a lid. Once the bottom slice is golden brown, carefully flip, and cover again with lid.
- Once the bottom side is golden brown and cheese is completely melted (about 4 minutes) transfer to a plate, slice in half and serve. Enjoy!
