Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Oven Grilled Cheese is the easiest way to make this comfort food classic. Pop a whole batch on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work. You’ll get sandwiches that are golden and crispy on the outside, perfectly melty on the inside, with almost no effort. Once you try this method, you might never go back to the stovetop.

If you love simple, satisfying lunch ideas, try Air Fryer Grilled Cheese for a quick single serving or a classic Tuna Melt Sandwich. You’ll also find more simple meal ideas in this collection of Easy Dinner Ideas for Kids.

Tips for Perfect Oven Grilled Cheese

A few small details make the difference between a good grilled cheese and a great one. Keep these in mind before you start:

• Spread butter edge to edge. This is the secret to even browning and maximum crunch. Every bit of bread should be coated, from crust to crust.
• Use foil on the baking sheet. I’ve tried parchment and it works, but foil gives you noticeably better crispiness on the bottom of the bread.
• Choose thick-sliced bread. Thin sandwich bread can get too soft or soggy. A heartier slice holds up better to the melted butter and keeps its structure.
• Let the sandwiches rest before slicing. Give them about 5 minutes on the baking sheet after they come out of the oven. This lets the cheese set so it doesn’t ooze out everywhere when you cut.

Best Cheese for Grilled Cheese

The best cheese for grilled cheese is one that melts smoothly and has good flavor. Cheddar and American cheese are classic choices that work beautifully. Cheddar gives you a sharper, more traditional taste, while American melts incredibly creamy and smooth.

Monterey Jack and Mozzarella are also great options if you want a milder, stretchier melt. Pepper Jack adds a little heat if you like some kick.

For the best results, try combining two cheeses. A slice of American cheese for meltiness, plus a slice of cheddar for flavor, is a winning combination.

• Note: Pre-sliced cheese works best for even melting. If you’re using block cheese, slice it thin so it melts all the way through before the bread over-browns.

RECIPE WALK-THROUGH

How to Make Grilled Cheese in the Oven

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

This hands-off method gives you evenly toasted sandwiches with perfectly melted cheese. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Prep the Bread

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with foil.

Spread softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Make sure to go all the way to the edges for even browning. If you like a little extra flavor, sprinkle garlic salt or garlic powder on top of the butter.

• Room temperature butter spreads much easier than cold. If yours is too firm, let it sit out for 10 to 15 minutes before you start.

Step 2: Assemble the Sandwiches

Place 6 slices of bread butter-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Top each one with 1 to 2 slices of cheese, depending on thickness. Place another slice of bread on top, butter-side up.

If you’re using garlic salt, sprinkle a little on the top of each sandwich too.

Step 3: Bake and Flip

Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, then carefully flip each sandwich using a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.

The exact timing depends on your oven and the thickness of your bread. Look for deep golden color on the bread and cheese that’s starting to bubble at the edges.

• Uneven Cooking Note: If one side is browning faster than the other, rotate the pan halfway through baking.

Rest Before Slicing

Let the sandwiches sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before cutting. This gives the cheese time to set slightly so it stays in the sandwich instead of running all over your cutting board.

Slice in half and serve warm.

Oven Grilled Cheese Variations

The classic version is hard to beat, but these easy add-ins take it up a notch:

• Italian: Layer ham, salami, and mozzarella between the bread. Serve with pepperoncini on the side.
• Bacon and Blue Cheese: Add crispy bacon and crumbled blue cheese between slices of mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
• Brie, Apple, and Jam: For a sweeter twist, use sliced brie, thinly sliced apples, and a smear of fig jam. Great with a peppery arugula salad.
• Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil: Tuck in fresh basil leaves and chopped sun-dried tomatoes with provolone or mozzarella for a fresh, flavorful spin.

What to Serve with Grilled Cheese

A crispy grilled cheese pairs perfectly with all kinds of sides. Here are some favorites:

• Tomato soup is the classic pairing. Try Instant Pot Tomato Soup for dipping.
• Macaroni salad adds a creamy, tangy side. Classic Macaroni Salad or Hawaiian Macaroni Salad are both great options.
• Fresh salads keep things lighter. Fresh Corn Salad is a simple choice, especially in summer.
• Crispy sides like Beer Battered Onion Rings or potato chips add crunch.
• Pickle spears on the side give a classic diner feel.

More Sandwich Recipes To Try

• Monte Cristo Sliders
• Reuben Sliders
• Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
• Crispy Dill Chicken Sandwich
• Garlic Butter Ham and Cheese Sliders

Recipe

Oven Grilled Cheese

4.69 from 16 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Oven grilled cheese is a hands-off way to make crispy, melty sandwiches for the whole family. This easy sheet pan method makes 6 sandwiches at once with perfect golden browning every time.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Servings 6 sandwiches

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 12 slices of sandwich bread
• Butter softened and spreadable
• 12 slices cheese (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or American)
• Garlic powder or garlic salt optional

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with nonstick foil.
• Spread butter thinly on one side of each slice of bread, going all the way to the edges. Sprinkle a little garlic salt on each piece if desired.
• Place 6 slices of bread butter-side down on the baking sheet. Top with sliced cheese, then with another slice of bread, butter-side up. Sprinkle with a little more garlic salt if using.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes, then flip each sandwich over to brown the other side. Bake another 5 to 7 minutes until both sides are golden.
• Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter. Pair unsalted butter with garlic salt, or salted butter with garlic powder.
• Cheese: Cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella all work well. Combining two cheeses gives the best balance of meltiness and flavor.
• Foil vs. parchment: Use foil on the baking sheet for the crispiest results. Parchment works but won’t give the same golden crunch on the bottom.
• Flipping: Flip the sandwiches halfway through baking for even browning on both sides.
• Resting: Let the sandwiches rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set so it doesn’t ooze out.
• Batch size: The bake time stays the same whether you’re making 2 sandwiches or 6.
• Lower temperature option: For slower, more controlled browning, bake at 375°F and add a few minutes to the total time.
• Storage: Wrap cooled sandwiches in foil or place in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F until crisp, about 10 minutes.

Keyword grilled cheese sandwich, oven grilled cheese

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 19gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 593mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 562IUCalcium: 534mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

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