Patrick Oconnell
Grilled cheese is a classic, comforting dish that's easy to make and even easier to adapt to your taste. The key to a perfect grilled cheese is getting the bread toasted and crispy while ensuring the cheese is melted to gooey perfection. The best way to achieve this is by using a pan on a stove, as this gives you more control over the heat and helps you avoid the common issue of burnt bread and unmelted cheese.
How to make grilled cheese using a pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, white, brioche, loaf, or sandwich bread |
| Bread thickness | Not too thick, thin, or soft |
| Bread preparation | Buttered, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic powder, or olive oil |
| Cheese | Cheddar, American, Gruyère, Raclette, Mozzarella, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Fontina, Gouda, or Blue Cheese |
| Cheese preparation | Grated, shredded, or sliced |
| Pan | Non-stick, cast iron, or stainless steel |
| Pan preparation | Salt, or butter |
| Stove | Medium or low heat |
| Cooking time | 2-7 minutes on the first side, 4-5 minutes on the second side |
| Cooking technique | Cover the pan, flip the sandwich |
| Serving suggestions | Tomato soup, spinach, caramelized onions, steamed broccoli, roasted peppers, apples, or fig jam |
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What You'll Learn
Use a cold pan to get melty cheese and crispy bread
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, you'll need bread, butter, and cheese. You can use any type of sliced bread, but thicker slices may prevent the cheese from melting properly. Sourdough, white bread, brioche, and even loaf bread are all good options. For the cheese, choose a variety that melts well, such as American, cheddar, pepper Jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. You can also experiment with different combinations of cheeses to find your favorite.
Now, let's talk about the technique for using a cold pan to achieve melty cheese and crispy bread. Start by choosing a heavy-bottomed skillet, preferably made of cast iron for even heating. You can also use stainless steel or non-stick pans. Place the pan on the stovetop but don't turn on the heat yet. Slice your bread if needed, aiming for a thickness of about one finger-width. Grate your cheese and toss it in a bowl if you're using multiple types. This is also the time to prepare any extra toppings you may want, such as apple slices, pickled jalapeños, or grainy mustard.
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. You can also use mayonnaise or a combination of both for a unique flavor profile. Sprinkle a little salt on the pan, then place one slice of bread, butter-side down, into the cold pan. Build your sandwich by sprinkling cheese and adding any desired toppings. Finally, top it with another slice of bread, butter-side up. Don't forget to season the top piece of bread with salt as well. If your pan is large enough, you can cook two sandwiches simultaneously.
Now it's time to turn on the heat. Start with medium heat to allow the bread to warm up gradually and the cheese to melt. Depending on your stovetop, the first side of the sandwich will take around five to seven minutes to turn crispy and golden brown. Use a thin, flat spatula to flip the sandwich carefully and cook the other side for four to five minutes. If you're making multiple grilled cheese sandwiches, you may need to cool your skillet for about ten minutes before starting the next batch.
Once your sandwich is browned and crispy on both sides, with the cheese melted to gooey perfection, transfer it to a cutting board. Season with a little salt, slice it into triangles, and serve immediately. Enjoy the perfect blend of crispy, buttery bread and melty, gooey cheese!
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Butter the bread, not the pan
To make a grilled cheese sandwich, you'll need sliced bread, butter, and cheese. Some recipes recommend using salted butter, while others suggest mayonnaise instead of butter. If you're using mayonnaise, you'll need to lower the pan temperature to prevent burning.
When preparing the sandwich, spread butter on the face-up side of each slice of bread. If you're using mayonnaise, spread it on the outside of the bread. You can also sprinkle the buttered side with garlic powder or salt.
Place one slice of bread, butter-side down, onto a hot skillet or pan. If you're using a cast iron skillet, heat it over medium-low heat and melt enough butter to coat the bottom of the pan before placing your sandwich in it. If you're using a cold pan, sprinkle it with salt before adding the bread.
Top the bread in the pan with cheese, then place another slice of bread on top, butter-side up. If you're using shredded cheese, toss the different types of cheese together in a bowl before sprinkling them onto the bread.
Cook the sandwich until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flip it over. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
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Choose the right bread
When it comes to choosing the right bread for your grilled cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a bread that is thinly sliced. This is important because it ensures that the cheese melts fully before the bread burns. Thick slices of bread can result in unmelted cheese or burnt toast.
While any type of reasonably thin bread will work, some popular options for grilled cheese are sourdough, white bread, brioche, and even loaf bread. Sourdough is a favourite among grilled cheese enthusiasts for the tangy flavour it adds to the sandwich. If you're a purist, or if you don't have sourdough on hand, regular white bread will do just fine.
It's also important to consider the texture of your bread. Hearty bread with a crispy crust is ideal, as it will provide a nice contrast to the gooey, melted cheese. You'll also want to make sure your bread is fresh, as stale bread can become soggy when grilled.
Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of bread to find your perfect grilled cheese combination. For example, you could try rye bread, multigrain bread, or even gluten-free options. Just remember, the key is to choose thinly sliced bread to ensure even cooking and the perfect melt.
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Pick the perfect cheese
The cheese is the star of the show when it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, so it's important to pick the right one. The best cheeses for grilled cheese are those that melt well, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or cheddar. You can also try something different like Gruyère, raclette, or fontina.
If you want to get fancy, try a mix of cheeses. Some great combinations include:
- Sharp white Cheddar and Gruyère
- Cheddar and Raclette
- Mozzarella and Havarti
- Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack
- Gruyère and Raclette
- Gruyère and Fontina
- 100% Cheddar
You can also add in some blue cheese for extra funk. If you're feeling really adventurous, try a mix of Gruyere and brie with thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam.
No matter which cheese you choose, the key is to get the timing right so that the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted to gooey perfection. This might take a bit of practice, but it's definitely worth it!
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Add extras like mayo, mustard, or veggies
To make a classic grilled cheese sandwich, you'll need white bread, sliced cheese, and butter. However, you can add extras like mayo, mustard, or veggies to elevate your grilled cheese sandwich.
Mayonnaise, for instance, can be used in place of butter. It adds a tangy flavour and helps create a crisp exterior. It also has a higher smoke point than butter, so you can turn up the heat without burning your sandwich. For extra flavour, you can mix shredded Gruyere or Parmesan into the mayonnaise, or add a tablespoon or two of pesto.
If you want to include mustard, try using a sharp, grainy Dijon mustard, which adds a subtle tang and a punch of flavour. You can also experiment with different sauces, like pesto, which goes well with mozzarella and provolone cheese.
When adding vegetables, you can try sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, or roasted tomatoes. For a gourmet touch, use a mix of Gruyere and brie cheese with thinly sliced apples or a slather of fig jam. Pickled red onions, radishes, or jalapeños can also add a fun pop of flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of bread, but some popular options are sourdough, white bread, brioche, or even burrito wraps.
You can use any cheese that melts well, such as American, cheddar, pepper Jack, Havarti, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. For quicker melting, shred the cheese yourself instead of buying it pre-shredded.
You can use either butter or mayonnaise, or a combination of both. Butter is traditional, but mayonnaise adds an extra layer of creaminess and saltiness and helps achieve a crisp, browned exterior. If using mayonnaise, remember to lower the pan temperature to prevent burning.
Start with a cold pan and sprinkle it with salt. Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread and place one slice, butter-side down, onto the pan. Top with cheese and any desired extras, then place the other slice of bread on top, butter-side up. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the bottom slice is lightly browned, then flip and cook until the cheese is melted.
