We’ve all been there: a long day, stress is high, and your stomach is grumbling for a pick-me-up. Sometimes, fancy meals just won’t do.
What hits the spot is that classic comfort food – the melty, golden goodness of a grilled cheese. The best part? It only takes a few minutes and a handful of ingredients, usually just cheese and bread.
But don’t be fooled by its simplicity! This humble sandwich is a blank canvas for endless flavor combinations. Let’s dive into the world of grilled cheese and explore what makes it the ultimate comfort food.
How to Make A Grilled Cheese Sandwich With Cheese Slices?
The classic comfort food, the melty, gooey masterpiece: the grilled cheese sandwich! You only need a few ingredients and minutes to whip up this satisfying snack. Grab your favorite bread and cheese slices, and let’s get grilling!
Ingredients You’ll need
Making a grilled cheese with cheese slices is a quick and delicious comfort food. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 slices of bread (white, wheat, sourdough, etc. – your choice!)
- 2-3 slices of your favorite cheese (cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, or a mix!)
- Butter (softened or melted)
Instructions to follow
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. You can butter both sides for extra richness, but it’s not necessary.
Step 2: Heat the Pan
Preheat a non-stick skillet or pan over medium heat.
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich
Place one slice of bread, butter-side down, in the hot pan. Add your cheese slices on top of the bread. Top with the other slice of bread, butter-side up.
Step 4: Grill the Sandwich
Cook the sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted and gooey. You can gently press down on the sandwich with a spatula while it cooks to help it cook evenly.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Carefully transfer the sandwich to a plate and cut it in half (diagonally is traditional!). Let it cool slightly before taking a bite to avoid burning your mouth!
Tips:
Get creative! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Classic Melts: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella – these cheeses melt beautifully and deliver a familiar gooey goodness.
- Get richer flavor: For a richer flavor, use a mayonnaise or pesto spread instead of butter.
- Sharp Contrasts: Havarti, goat cheese, or feta can add a tangy counterpoint to richer flavors.
- Bold Options: Gruyere, Swiss, or smoked Gouda bring a complex depth that pairs well with stronger ingredients.
- Twist it Up: Add a thin layer of sliced tomato or ham inside the sandwich for a twist.
- Safety First: Always use oven mitts when handling hot dishes like grilled cheese or paninis.
How To Melt Cheese Slices On Bread?
There are two popular ways to melt cheese slices on bread: using a stovetop pan or using a broiler. Here’s how to do both:
Stovetop method (grilled cheese)
Step 1: Butter your bread: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. You can use butter, mayonnaise, or a combination of both for extra flavor and crispness.
Step 2: Heat your pan
Heat a pan over medium-low heat. Don’t crank up the heat too high, or you’ll burn the bread before the cheese melts.
Step 3: Toast the bread (optional)
You can toast the bread in the pan before adding cheese, or add cheese to un-toasted bread. If toasting, place the buttered side down in the pan and cook until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for a minute.
Step 4: Add cheese
Place one slice of bread, buttered side up, in the pan. Add cheese slices on top. You can use one type of cheese or a combination for more flavor.
Step 5: Cover and melt
Cover the pan with a lid to trap the heat and help the cheese melt evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt and bubble.
Step 6: Add the other slice
Place the other slice of bread on top, buttered side facing out. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is golden brown and crisp.
Step 7: Serve
Carefully transfer the grilled cheese to a plate and cut it in half. Enjoy!
Broiler method (cheese on toast)
Step 1: Toast the bread
Place the bread slices in a toaster and toast to your desired level of crispness.
Step 2: Broil the cheese
Preheat your broiler to high. Place the toasted bread slices on a baking sheet. Add cheese slices on top.
Step 3: Broil and watch
Broil the cheese for 1-2 minutes, or until melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it closely, as broilers can be intense and burn the cheese quickly.
Step 4: Serve
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the broiler and transfer the toast to a plate. Enjoy your cheesy toast!
Here are some additional tips for melty cheese:
- Use good melting cheeses: Cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Swiss all melt well.
- Shredded cheese melts faster: Shredded cheese has more surface area and will melt faster than slices. If you only have slices, you can tear or cut them into smaller pieces.
- Low and slow is the way to go: Use low to medium-low heat to melt the cheese. High heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts evenly.
- Cover is your friend: Use a lid on your pan or cover the cheese loosely with foil when broiling to trap heat and promote even melting.
FAQs
Should you use sliced cheese for grilled cheese?
Sliced cheese works perfectly for grilled cheese! It melts easily and delivers classic gooey goodness. You can also explore shredded cheese for better coverage, but slices are a convenient and delicious option.
How do you get cheese pull on grilled cheese?
For epic cheese pull, try two things: 1) Use melty cheese like mozzarella with your cheddar. 2) Briefly open the sandwich after cooking, then gently press it shut to “re-connect” the cheese for a longer pull.
Which cheese is used for cheese pulls?
Mozzarella is the king of cheese pulls! It stretches beautifully due to its high moisture content and milky consistency.
Do cheese slices stretch?
Regular cheese slices can stretch some, but not as dramatically as fresh mozzarella. They melt well for gooey goodness in a grilled cheese, but for epic pulls, shred mozzarella or use a melty cheese blend.
Do you start grilled cheese in a cold or hot pan?
Start grilled cheese in a cold pan! This helps the bread toast evenly while the cheese melts for a perfectly balanced, delicious sandwich.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! In just a few minutes, you can whip up a melty masterpiece that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your grilled cheese – different breads and cheeses offer endless flavor possibilities. Maybe you’ll go for a classic cheddar on sourdough, or perhaps a more adventurous brie and fig jam on rye.
What’s your favorite cheese combo? Share it in the comments below and inspire others on their grilled cheese journey!
