The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe from a Beloved US College Cafe🥪🧀

🧀 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe 🥪

My husband and I operated a café within a U.S. university for 15 years, and this grilled cheese sandwich was among our top sellers. 🥪 It was undoubtedly a favorite with Gen Z students!

The basic grilled cheese is straightforward: cheese between buttery bread, grilled to perfection. To keep things exciting and provide more variety, we tried different fillings and flavors—and that's how we found this recipe. I can't even count how many we sold over the years. I'm thrilled to share it with you now!

A small note: The ovens we used at the café were quite different from regular home ovens. The right oven makes all the difference for achieving that perfectly crispy outside and melty inside. Have you ever noticed the ovens at Subway? They’re special high-speed ovens that cook about 15 times faster than regular ovens and ensure perfect results every time—no fancy cooking skills required. ✨ We used the same type of oven at our café, so naturally, it turned out amazing every time. 😄

But don't worry, just follow my method here, and you'll get super close at home. 🤓

👉 For that perfect crispy outside, gooey inside texture, avoid the air fryer or toaster oven. A skillet works best (any pan will do!), or a panini press if you have one. 🍳

✔️👩🏻‍🍳 The secret? Melt the cheese a bit in the microwave first, then grill it in the pan until golden and crispy. The thicker the bread and the more cheese you use, the better! 🧀 Mixing different types of cheese gives you delightful flavor layers (yes, flavor has layers too!).

You can also get creative—add bacon, ham, spinach, pineapple… whatever you like!

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🛒 Ingredients

• 2 slices of thick bread (sourdough works great)

• 2 slices of cheese (American, Swiss, Cheddar, Provolone, etc.)

• Mozzarella cheese (for that fun, stretchy pull!)

• Tomato slices

• Pickled jalapeños

• Butter

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👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe

1. On one slice of bread, layer 2 slices of cheese; on the other slice, pile on mozzarella. 🧀

   

2. Microwave both slices for about 40 seconds to melt the cheese. (Don’t overdo it, or the bread will get tough.)

   
   

3. Top the melted cheese with thick slices of tomato and as many pickled jalapeños as you like.

   
   
   
   

4. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat and grill both sides of the sandwich until golden and crispy.

   
   
   
   

   📍 Tip: Using ghee instead of butter? Game changer. It makes the flavor even richer and toastier- definitely worth trying!

   

   
   

   👉 What is ghee?

   Ghee is a type of clarified butter commonly used in traditional Indian cooking. It’s made by simmering butter to remove water and milk solids, resulting in a nutty, aromatic fat that’s rich in flavor. Bonus: It has a high smoke point (about 482°F/250°C), is packed with vitamins and medium-chain fatty acids, and is easy to store because it doesn’t need refrigeration. It’s fantastic for adding flavor to all kinds of dishes.

   
   
   
   
   
   

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📌 Cooking Tip

After grilling, don’t place the sandwich directly on a plate- it can get soggy. Let it rest briefly on a cooling rack before serving to keep it crispy.

Creative Topping Suggestions!

• Spinach

• Roasted bell peppers

• Mushrooms

• Avocado or guacamole

• Olives

• Grilled onions

• Bacon

• Grilled peaches

• Apple slices

• Basil

• Egg

• Sausage or other meats

• Balsamic glaze

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Plus, Cheese Options:

• Brie

• Ricotta

• Goat cheese

• Gouda

• 

  
  
  
  

  All these topping choices are irresistible. 😋 The traditional version is tasty by itself, yet experimenting with various ingredients can result in sandwiches that are more delicious and nutritious.

  
  

  Enjoy a delightful and satisfying meal today!