What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic comfort dish featuring crispy bread, melted cheese, and a perfectly balanced tangy tomato sauce. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs sourdough bread, cheddar cheese, tomato for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Rub 1 tbsp olive oil on both sides of 2 sourdough slices and place in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mash 1 diced tomato with 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 cup chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
  3. Step 3: Place 100g shredded cheddar cheese between the warm bread slices. Press the sandwich together and cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Step 4: Top with the tomato-basil sauce and serve immediately, enjoying the gooey, crispy perfection.

Frequently asked questions

How long does What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sourdough bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese?

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 What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.

What goes well with What's the Best Way to Make Grilled Cheese?

American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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