Here’s my favorite way to make grilled cheese sandwiches – right in the oven! With perfectly toasted bread, melted cheese that stretches with every bite, and the ability to make several sandwiches at once, this method has become my go-to.
My kids ask for these sandwiches at least twice a week, and I can’t blame them. There’s something so comforting about a warm, cheesy sandwich, especially when you don’t have to stand over the stove flipping each one individually. Plus, they all come out hot and ready at the same time!
Why You’ll Love These Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Perfect for feeding a crowd – Instead of standing over the stove making one sandwich at a time, you can make multiple grilled cheese sandwiches at once – perfect for family meals or when friends come over.
- Consistently golden-brown results – The even heat of the oven helps achieve that perfect crispy exterior and melty interior every single time, without the risk of burning.
- Simple 3-ingredient recipe – With just bread, cheese, and butter, you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen to make these right now.
- Hands-off cooking method – Once the sandwiches are in the oven, you’re free to prep other dishes or help kids with homework instead of watching the stove.
What Kind of Cheese Should I Use?
The beauty of grilled cheese is that you can use pretty much any cheese that melts well. American cheese is a classic choice that melts like a dream, while cheddar offers more flavor but can sometimes get a bit oily when heated. For the best of both worlds, try using two slices per sandwich – one American for the perfect melt and one sharp cheddar for extra flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, Swiss, provolone, or Monterey Jack are all great options that melt nicely and bring their own unique taste to the sandwich. Just stay away from very hard aged cheeses or fresh cheeses like feta, as they won’t give you that gooey, melty texture we’re after.
Options for Substitutions
This simple grilled cheese recipe can be customized in several ways:
- Sandwich bread: While regular sandwich bread works great, you can swap it for sourdough, whole wheat, or even rye bread. Just make sure the slices aren’t too thick, or the cheese might not melt properly before the bread browns.
- Cheese: The sky’s the limit here! Try cheddar, American, Swiss, provolone, mozzarella, or mix different types. Just avoid fresh, watery cheeses like feta or fresh mozzarella as they won’t melt as well.
- Butter: If you’re out of butter, you can use mayonnaise instead – it creates a nice golden crust too! For a dairy-free option, try margarine or olive oil, though the flavor will be slightly different. If using unsalted butter, just add a tiny pinch of salt to the outside of the sandwich.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge when making oven grilled cheese is uneven browning, which can be avoided by placing your baking sheet in the middle rack and keeping a close eye on the sandwiches during the last few minutes of cooking.
Another common mistake is using cold butter – make sure it’s properly softened so it spreads evenly without tearing the bread, and remember to butter the outside of both slices for that perfect golden-brown crust.
To prevent your cheese from oozing out completely, avoid overloading your sandwiches and consider using a mix of sliced and grated cheese, as grated cheese melts more evenly and stays put better.
For the crispiest results, try preheating your baking sheet in the oven before adding the sandwiches, and flip them halfway through cooking to ensure both sides get equally crispy and brown.
What to Serve With Grilled Cheese?
Tomato soup is the classic partner for grilled cheese sandwiches, but there are lots of other tasty options too! A simple dill pickle spear adds the perfect tangy crunch to balance out all that melty cheese goodness. For something lighter, try serving your sandwich with a handful of potato chips or a small side salad dressed with vinaigrette – the acidity helps cut through the richness of the cheese. If you’re making these sandwiches for lunch, fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes makes a refreshing side that kids especially love.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed right after making them when they’re still warm and the cheese is perfectly melty. If you have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days – though honestly, they’re never quite as good as fresh!
Make Ahead: You can save some prep time by buttering your bread slices ahead and keeping them covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just add the cheese and pop them in the oven. This way, you’ll have fresh, hot sandwiches without the fuss.
Warm Up: To bring back some of that fresh-made magic, wrap your leftover sandwich in foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. You can also use a toaster oven, but avoid the microwave – it’ll make the bread soggy and the cheese rubbery.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-27 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1600-2000
- Protein: 40-60 g
- Fat: 120-150 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-144 g
Ingredients
- 12 slices of sandwich bread
- 6 to 12 slices of cheese
- 8 tablespoons softened salted butter
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature ensures that your sandwiches will bake evenly and develop a nice, crispy texture.
While the oven is preheating, take a half sheet pan and set it aside for assembling the sandwiches.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwiches
Butter one side of 6 slices of bread generously and place each slice butter-side down onto the prepared baking sheet.
On top of each slice of bread, layer 1-2 slices of cheese, depending on your preference for cheesiness.
Then, take the remaining 6 slices of bread, butter one side, and place them on top of the cheese to complete the sandwiches, with the buttered side up.
Step 3: Bake and Flip
Place the sheet pan with the assembled sandwiches in the preheated oven.
Bake for 5-6 minutes until the bottom slices are golden brown and crispy.
Carefully flip each sandwich with a spatula to allow the other side to bake evenly.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until both sides of the sandwiches are golden brown and the cheese has melted beautifully.
Keep an eye on the baking process as the time may vary slightly depending on the thickness and type of bread used.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the sandwiches have reached your desired level of golden brown perfection, remove them from the oven.
Allow them to cool for a minute before serving so the cheese can settle slightly.
These baked cheese sandwiches make a delightful, crispy, and cheesy meal enjoyed any time of day!
