Oven-Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Smoked Cheddar and Tomato Jam

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A comforting oven-baked grilled cheese sandwich featuring smoky cheddar and tangy homemade tomato jam. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs thick sliced bread, smoked cheddar cheese, butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 2 American cuisine 600 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 slices thick sliced bread
8 oz, sliced smoked cheddar cheese
4 tbsp, softened butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup (see note) tomato jam
1/4 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread 1 tbsp softened butter evenly on one side of each of the 4 bread slices. Place buttered sides down on a baking sheet.
Step 2: On the unbuttered side of 2 slices, layer 4 oz sliced smoked cheddar cheese and spread 1/4 cup tomato jam evenly over the cheese.
Step 3: Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
Step 4: Brush the tops with 1 tbsp olive oil mixed with 1/4 tsp garlic powder for extra flavor.
Step 5: Bake sandwiches for 12-15 minutes until bread is golden and cheese is melted, flipping halfway through for even browning.
Step 6: Let sandwiches rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving. Note: Tomato jam can be store-bought or made by simmering 2 cups chopped tomatoes with 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar over low heat until thickened, about 30 minutes.