Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe – Ultimate 15 Minute Lunch
There are some food combinations that just make perfect sense. Peanut butter and jam, fish and chips, tea and biscuits. But then there are the combinations that are so brilliantly indulgent, so outrageously good, you wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner. That’s exactly where this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe comes in. It takes two of the most-loved comfort foods and smashes them together into one glorious sandwich. We’re talking thick-cut bread, slathered in a homemade, punchy garlic butter, and filled with a decadent trio of cheeses that melt into a spectacular, stringy river of deliciousness. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got it just right – the perfect balance of garlic, butter, and gloriously gooey cheese.
This isn’t just any old grilled cheese; it’s a proper lunchtime event. The outside of the bread becomes incredibly crisp and golden, infused with the savoury aroma of roasted garlic and herbs, while the inside remains soft and steamy, holding that magnificent cheese pull. It’s the kind of sandwich that demands your full attention. It works wonderfully for a weekend lunch when you want something a bit special without spending hours in the kitchen, or for a comforting dinner alongside a bowl of hot soup on a dreary evening. Everyone I’ve made this for seems to love it, and it always gets compliments for its sheer satisfying power.
So, let’s get into what makes this cheesy garlic bread sandwich a real standout. We’re using fresh ingredients to create a garlic butter that far surpasses anything you can buy in a shop, and a specific blend of cheeses chosen for their melting properties and flavour. This is your sign to elevate your grilled cheese game to a whole new level.
Recipe Overview
This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese recipe delivers an exceptionally flavourful sandwich with a crisp, buttery, garlic-infused crust and a perfectly melted, cheesy centre. The key is a low and slow cooking method that ensures the bread turns a deep golden brown without burning before the cheese has a chance to melt. I found that using a combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone gives the best results for both taste and that sought-after ‘cheese pull’.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Servings: 2 sandwiches
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Genuine Flavour: The homemade garlic butter is the star. Using real butter, freshly minced garlic, and parsley creates a rich, aromatic crust that tastes infinitely better than versions made with garlic powder. The three-cheese blend provides a sharp, creamy, and slightly tangy filling.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From start to finish, you can have this incredible garlic bread sandwich on the table in about 20-25 minutes, making it a brilliant option for a speedy but satisfying meal.
- Flexible Recipe: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. You can easily add other fillings like crispy bacon, sliced tomatoes, or a bit of caramelised onion. You can also experiment with different types of bread, from sourdough to a rustic white loaf.
- Great for a Comforting Meal: This is ideal when you want a substantial and warming lunch or a simple dinner. It pairs beautifully with a simple soup or salad, turning a basic meal into something truly special. For another comforting meal idea, you might like our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe.
- Family Tested: This recipe has been given the seal of approval in my home. My husband, who’s usually picky about sandwiches, asked for seconds the first time I made it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, the quality of your ingredients really shines through. I recommend using a good, sturdy bread that can hold up to the butter and cheese. A bakery-style sourdough or a thick-cut white loaf works much better than standard sliced bread. For the butter, I always use a good quality salted butter like Kerrygold as it adds an extra layer of flavour.
- 4 thick slices of sourdough or crusty white bread (about 2cm thick)
- 115g salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced or crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 70g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 70g low-moisture mozzarella, grated
- 70g provolone cheese, grated (or use slices)
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Sara’s Tip: Always grate your own cheese from a block. Pre-grated cheeses are often coated in starches to prevent clumping, which can inhibit a smooth, perfect melt. It takes an extra minute but makes a huge difference to the final texture.
How to Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
The process is straightforward. We’ll start by making our flavour-packed garlic butter, then assemble the sandwiches and cook them carefully until they are golden and the cheese is beautifully melted.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and black pepper. If you like a little heat, add the pinch of red pepper flakes. Mix everything together with a fork until it’s well combined and forms a smooth paste.
- Butter the Bread: Lay your four slices of bread out on a board. Divide half of the garlic butter mixture evenly among the slices, spreading it right to the edges on one side of each slice. This will be the outside of your sandwiches.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Flip the bread slices over so the buttered side is facing down. In a separate bowl, toss the grated cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone together. This helps ensure you get a bit of each cheese in every bite.
- Add the Cheese: Divide the cheese mixture equally between two of the bread slices, piling it in the centre. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot – it will melt down beautifully. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, butter-side-up.
- Begin Cooking: Place a large, non-stick frying pan or skillet over a low-medium heat. I find that a lower heat is crucial for success here. Once the pan is warm, carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the pan.
- Grill Low and Slow: Cook the sandwiches for 5-7 minutes on the first side. The key is to let the bread become a deep golden brown and for the cheese to begin melting. Resist the urge to turn the heat up, as this will burn the garlic butter before the cheese melts.
- Flip and Finish: Using a wide spatula, carefully flip the sandwiches over. What works best for me is pressing down gently with the spatula for about 10 seconds after flipping to help the cheese melt evenly. Cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side, until it’s equally golden and crisp, and the cheese is fully melted and oozing from the sides.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Let them rest for a minute or two. This allows the cheese to set slightly, so it doesn’t all spill out when you cut into it. Slice in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control is Key: The most important tip for a perfect grilled cheese is to cook it over low-medium heat. High heat will scorch the butter and garlic, turning it bitter, and the bread will burn long before the cheese has a chance to melt. Patience is your best friend here.
- The Secret Step for Melty Cheese: I learned that covering the pan with a lid for the first few minutes of cooking traps steam and helps the cheese melt much faster and more evenly. Just be sure to remove it for the last minute or so on each side to ensure the bread stays crisp.
- Make-Ahead: The garlic butter can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before you need to spread it. This makes assembly even faster for a quick lunch sandwich.
- Storage: Honestly, this garlic bread grilled cheese is best eaten fresh from the pan. However, if you do have leftovers, you can wrap them tightly in foil and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a dry frying pan over a low heat or in an air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: If you’re making more than two sandwiches, cook them in batches. Overcrowding the pan lowers its temperature and can cause the sandwiches to steam rather than grill, resulting in a soggy, greasy finish instead of a crisp one.
- Wrong temperature: As mentioned, starting with a pan that’s too hot is a common pitfall. The butter and garlic will burn almost instantly. Start with a cold or lukewarm pan and let it heat up gently with the sandwich in it for the best results.
- Using cold butter: Trying to spread cold, hard butter will tear your bread. Ensure your butter is properly softened to room temperature so it spreads easily and creates an even, golden crust. If you’re short on time, you can learn a few tricks to soften butter quickly from food experts.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic garlic bread grilled cheese recipe, it’s fun to experiment with different additions. Here are a few of my favourite variations:
- Spicy Bacon Version: Add a few slices of crispy cooked bacon and some pickled jalapeños along with the cheese. The salty bacon and sharp heat are a fantastic contrast to the rich garlic butter. For another recipe that uses bacon’s salty kick, check out these Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders.
- Pesto & Tomato: Spread a thin layer of basil pesto on the inside of the bread before adding the cheese and a few slices of sun-dried tomato. It adds a fresh, Italian-inspired flavour that works beautifully with the garlic.
- Mushroom & Thyme: Sauté some sliced chestnut mushrooms with a little fresh thyme until golden brown. Let them cool slightly before layering them in with the cheese for an earthy, savoury twist.
What to Serve With Your Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
While this sandwich is a meal in itself, pairing it with the right side can make it even better. Here are some suggestions:
- Classic Tomato Soup: The ultimate pairing. The acidity and sweetness of a simple tomato soup cut through the richness of the cheesy garlic bread, making it a perfect dunking companion.
- A Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a sharp vinaigrette dressing provides a fresh, light contrast that balances the indulgent sandwich. A mix of rocket, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes works well.
- Drink Pairing: A cold, crisp lager or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc complements the richness of the cheese and garlic butter without overpowering it. For a non-alcoholic option, a sharp, cloudy lemonade is wonderfully refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and black pepper. If you like a little heat, add the pinch of red pepper flakes. Mix everything together with a fork until it's well combined and forms a smooth paste.
- Butter the Bread: Lay your four slices of bread out on a board. Divide half of the garlic butter mixture evenly among the slices, spreading it right to the edges on one side of each slice. This will be the outside of your sandwiches.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Flip the bread slices over so the buttered side is facing down. In a separate bowl, toss the grated cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone together. This helps ensure you get a bit of each cheese in every bite.
- Add the Cheese: Divide the cheese mixture equally between two of the bread slices, piling it in the centre. Don't worry if it looks like a lot – it will melt down beautifully. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, butter-side-up.
- Begin Cooking: Place a large, non-stick frying pan or skillet over a low-medium heat. I find that a lower heat is crucial for success here. Once the pan is warm, carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the pan.
- Grill Low and Slow: Cook the sandwiches for 5-7 minutes on the first side. The key is to let the bread become a deep golden brown and for the cheese to begin melting. Resist the urge to turn the heat up, as this will burn the garlic butter before the cheese melts.
- Flip and Finish: Using a wide spatula, carefully flip the sandwiches over. What works best for me is pressing down gently with the spatula for about 10 seconds after flipping to help the cheese melt evenly. Cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side, until it's equally golden and crisp, and the cheese is fully melted and oozing from the sides.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Let them rest for a minute or two. This allows the cheese to set slightly, so it doesn't all spill out when you cut into it. Slice in half diagonally and serve immediately.
Notes
I really hope you give this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe a go. It’s one of those simple but brilliant ideas that I return to again and again for a truly satisfying meal. It’s more than just a sandwich; it’s a moment of pure, cheesy, garlicky bliss. Let me know how you get on in the comments below – I’d love to hear if you try any fun variations! Happy cooking!
– Sara Gomez
