Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Toasted bread layered with sautéed mushrooms and sharp Wisconsin cheddar, broiled until bubbly and golden for a comforting regional snack. This american-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes turns sliced cremini mushrooms, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven broiler to high and position the rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until mushrooms are tender, browned, and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Toast 4 slices of sourdough bread until just golden and set on a baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: Divide the mushroom mixture evenly over the toasted bread slices.
  5. Step 5: Top each slice with 1.5 oz sharp Wisconsin cheddar cheese, layering it evenly.
  6. Step 6: Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden at the edges. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Open-Faced Wisconsin Cheddar and Mushroom Melt vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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