Leftover grilled cheese can be saved and reheated. The best method for reheating, according to one source, is to re-grill the sandwich in a pan with butter, using a lid to keep the heat in and flipping the sandwich after about two and a half minutes. This method produces a grilled cheese that is crisp on the outside and has melted cheese on the inside. However, this method may be too time-consuming for teenagers, who may prefer to use a toaster oven. To reheat in a toaster oven, set it to bake at 350°F and put the sandwich directly on the rack for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. This will result in a grilled cheese that is crisp on the outside but drier than the toasted version, with cheese that may not be fully melted.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Oven temperature | 400-450°F |
Baking time | 5 minutes, then flip and bake for an additional 2-6 minutes |
Bread | White, wheat, sourdough, gluten-free |
Cheese | Cheddar, American, mozzarella |
Butter | Salted, softened |
Other toppings | Bacon, tomatoes, spinach, veggies |
What You'll Learn
Bake at 400°F for 5 minutes, then 2-3 minutes after flipping
Baking is a great way to reheat your leftover grilled cheese sandwiches and get them crispy again. To do this successfully, you'll want to preheat your oven to a high temperature—around 400°F to 450°F. While the oven is heating up, you can prepare your sandwiches. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread, and place the bread slices butter-side down on a baking sheet. Add your cheese—you can use any variety you like, but classic options include cheddar, mozzarella, or American cheese. You can also add extra ingredients like bacon or caramelized onions if you like. Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up.
Now that your oven is preheated, place the baking sheet inside and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Then, take the sandwiches out and flip them over, before placing them back in the oven for another 2-3 minutes. This will melt the cheese and toast the bread to a golden brown.
This method is a quick and easy way to make grilled cheese sandwiches for a group, and it's also a handy way to reheat leftovers. Enjoy your crispy, melty grilled cheese!
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Use a non-stick cooking spray on the baking sheet
When baking leftover grilled cheese, it is important to prepare your baking sheet with a non-stick cooking spray. This will ensure that your grilled cheese doesn't stick to the pan and make it easier to clean up afterward.
Non-stick cooking spray is a combination of oil, lecithin (an emulsifier), dimethyl silicone (an anti-foaming agent), and a propellant such as butane or propane. It comes out of the aerosol can in a thin layer, coating your baking sheet and preventing food from sticking.
To use non-stick cooking spray, simply spray the bottle onto your baking sheet until it is evenly coated. This will help you achieve the perfect grilled cheese with a nice golden brown crispy bread.
While you can also use butter or oil to grease your baking sheet, non-stick cooking spray is a convenient and lower-fat alternative. It is also useful in many other sticky cooking situations, such as helping cookies slide off the cookie sheet and preventing tomato-based sauces from discoloring plastic containers.
However, it's important to note that non-stick cooking spray can leave a residue, especially on dark-coated pans, so it's not recommended for use on non-stick cookware. Instead, use it on a regular baking sheet to ensure easy cleanup after enjoying your grilled cheese.
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Reheat in a pan for 2.5 minutes each side
Reheating grilled cheese in a pan is an effective way to make your leftovers feel like a freshly made sandwich again. It's a simple method that only takes a few minutes and delivers great results.
First, let the pan get nice and hot at medium-high. Add a little butter to the bottom of the pan. Place the grilled cheese sandwich in the pan and put a lid on it crookedly to help keep the heat in and melt the cheese without creating steam. After about two and a half minutes, or when the bread is crisp and golden, flip the sandwich and cook for another two and a half minutes.
This method produces a grilled cheese sandwich with a similar quality to one that's freshly made. The bread will be crisp again and the cheese will be melted. It's also a quick and easy process, which makes it ideal if you're short on time or don't want to spend ages cleaning up.
However, it's worth noting that this method does require a few more steps than simply popping your sandwich into the toaster, such as adding butter to the pan and using a lid. But if you're after a delicious, crispy, and melted grilled cheese, reheating it in a pan is the way to go!
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Reheat in a toaster oven on a medium setting
To reheat your grilled cheese in a toaster oven, you'll want to set your appliance to a medium heat setting of around 375° F. Place your sandwich on a tray and put it in the toaster oven. Leave it for about 8 minutes, keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn. Once the cheese is melty and the bread is golden, take the sandwich out of the toaster oven and enjoy!
If you're reheating from frozen, you'll need to leave your grilled cheese in for a little longer—try 10-12 minutes. You can also thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating to reduce the cooking time.
If you're reheating more than one sandwich, you can place them all on the same tray. Just be aware that you may need to rotate the tray during cooking to ensure they all heat through evenly.
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Serve with soup
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, often served with a bowl of soup. There are many different types of soup that go well with grilled cheese, but the most classic pairing is probably the tomato soup. Other options include butternut squash soup, leek and potato soup, or tomato basil soup.
If you're making grilled cheese sandwiches to serve with soup, you might want to cut them into smaller pieces, such as croutons, to dip into the soup. You could also cut them into halves or quarters to make them easier to eat with a bowl of soup.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are also a great way to use up leftover vegetables or meats. You can add all sorts of toppings to your grilled cheese, such as bacon, tomatoes, spinach, or other veggies.
If you're making grilled cheese sandwiches ahead of time, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. However, they are best served fresh and hot out of the oven.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10 minutes to bake grilled cheese in the oven.
The best way to reheat leftover grilled cheese is to re-grill it in a pan. Place the grilled cheese in a hot pan with a little butter and cover it with a lid to help keep the heat in and melt the cheese. Cook for about two and a half minutes on each side.
To make grilled cheese in the oven without drying it out, preheat the oven to 400-450°F and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes on one side, then flip and bake for an additional 2-6 minutes, depending on the browning and crispiness desired.
The best types of cheese to use for grilled cheese are white cheddar, muenster, pepper jack, colby jack, or Swiss cheese. You can also use a combination of these cheeses or add in other favourites like bacon, tomatoes, or veggies.
To make grilled cheese crispy, generously butter each slice of bread before baking or grilling.