My Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/25/22
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Headshot of Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
My favorite grilled cheese recipe

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 6 mins
Total: 11 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 sandwiches

Believe it or not, this recipe for My Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich took some experimentation before it achieved perfection. I tried spreading butter on the inside, different types of cheese, and different ways to grill it. This is the best.

You have to use the presliced American cheese wrapped in plastic wrap, and whole wheat sandwich bread, along with real butter, in this recipe. This isn't a gourmet recipe, but it's fabulous.

I recently discovered white American cheese in the deli department of my supermarket. If you avoid processed cheese because of the added color, this product is a great solution.

Serve this perfect sandwich with some baby carrots and some grape tomatoes or a green salad, along with some iced tea or sparkling water.

"There's really nothing quite like a great grilled cheese sandwich made in the traditional way. Melty processed American cheese sandwiched between virtuous whole wheat bread, then spread lightly with butter and browned in a skillet. An easy and deliciously quick lunch." —Diana Andrews

My Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 slices whole-wheat bread, such as Brownberry Whole Wheat

  • 6 slices processed American cheese, yellow or white

  • 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, not margarine

  • Baby carrots, for serving, optional

  • Grape tomatoes, for serving, optional

  • Green salad, for serving, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for grilled cheese
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Place 2 of the bread slices on the work surface. Top each with 3 slices of the American cheese.

    Place bread on cutting board
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Top with the remaining bread slices to make 2 sandwiches.

    Top with bread
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Spread the outsides of the sandwiches thinly with butter.

    Spread bread with butter
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

  6. Place sandwiches on the skillet and cover with a pan lid. It's important to cover the sandwiches as they cook so the cheese melts in the time it takes the bread to brown.

    Heat nonstick skillet
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bread is golden brown on the first side.

    Cook bread in skillet
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga 

  8. Carefully flip the sandwiches using a large spatula, cover again, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the second side until the cheese melts and the bread is nicely browned and crisp.

    Grilled cheese
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  9. Serve the sandwiches immediately with the carrots, tomatoes, and salad, if desired.

    Serve grilled cheese
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
470 Calories
31g Fat
32g Carbs
17g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 470
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 85mg 28%
Sodium 1083mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 17g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 788mg 61%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 309mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)