Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 01/05/20
Garlic bread grilled cheese and marinara sauce.

The Spruce / Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 32 mins
Total: 42 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Grilled cheese sandwiches have long been a favorite American comfort food. This garlic bread version takes the ordinary grilled cheese sandwich to the next level. All you need is a few extra ingredients for the garlic butter spread to make these gourmet sandwiches.

This recipe makes four sandwiches, and it is easily scaled down for one or two sandwiches. Or scale it up for a large family. Serve garlic bread grilled cheese sandwiches with a marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping or serve them with tomato soup or a salad for a fabulous lunch or dinner.

Use a large skillet (preferably nonstick) or a panini press or griddle to make the sandwiches.

Ingredients

  • For the Garlic Spread
  • 8 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 4 cloves garlic (crushed and minced)
  • 2 tablespoons parsley (fresh, minced)
  • For the Sandwiches
  • 8 slices bread
  • 8 ounces cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or American; sliced or shredded)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for garlic bread grilled cheese sandwiches.
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  2. Combine the softened butter with the garlic and parsley. Spread the softened garlic butter on both sides of two slices of bread.

    Garlic and butter spread on sliced bread.
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  3. Place a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place a buttered slice of bread in the pan and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until nicely browned. Turn to brown the other side. Repeat with another slice of bread.

    Garlic bread toasted.
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  4. Reduce the heat to low. Mound shredded cheese on one slice of bread or arrange sliced cheese on the bread. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

    Grilled cheese with mozzarella cheese.
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  5. Place the second slice of bread on the cheese layer. Cook the sandwich for about 4 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese melts. Gently press the sandwich with a spatula as it cooks. Repeat with the remaining bread, garlic butter, and cheese.

    Cooking a grilled cheese sandwich.
     The Spruce / Diana Rattray

  6. Slice the sandwiches and serve warm with soup or a salad.

    Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Tips

  • To serve the sandwiches all at once, place the first batches on a rack and place them in a warm—175 F to 200 F—oven.

Recipe Variations

  • Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Assemble the sandwiches with mozzarella cheese and add layers of thinly sliced tomatoes and basil leaves.
  • BLT Grilled Cheese: Toast the garlic bread as instructed and use American or cheddar cheese. For each sandwich, assemble on the toasted bread as follows: 2 slices of cheese or shredded cheese, a few lettuce leaves, 2 slices of tomato, and 2 strips of crisp-fried and well-drained bacon. Top with another slice of toasted garlic bread and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted.
  • Pizza Grilled Cheese: Toast the garlic bread and top a slice with mozzarella cheese. Drizzle a few tablespoons of pizza sauce over the cheese layer and top with slices of pepperoni. Top with another slice of toasted bread and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted.