Name: 15-Minute Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; 4 slices sandwich bread; 1 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

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Oh my goodness, you have to try this garlic bread grilled cheese! It’s like two of my favorite comfort foods had a delicious baby. I first made this on a lazy Sunday when I was craving something warm and cheesy but wanted a little extra oomph. That’s when it hit me – why not combine the buttery, garlicky goodness of garlic bread with the melty perfection of grilled cheese? The result was pure magic, and now it’s my go-to quick lunch.

What I love most is how ridiculously easy it is – just 15 minutes from start to finish. The garlic butter soaks into the bread as it grills, creating this incredible crispy, golden crust. And that ooey-gooey cheese center? Absolute perfection. Trust me, once you try this, plain grilled cheese just won’t cut it anymore.

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese - detail 1

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Let me count the ways this sandwich will steal your heart:

Lightning fast – Seriously, 15 minutes is all you need for this flavor explosion. Perfect for when hunger strikes hard.
Next-level flavor – It’s everything you love about grilled cheese, plus that irresistible garlic bread magic. Game changer.
Endlessly customizable – I use mozzarella-cheddar, but you do you! Pepper jack? Gouda? The cheese world is your oyster.
Any excuse to eat it – Lunch, snack, midnight craving… no judgment here. I’ve eaten it for breakfast with a fried egg on top!

Once you go garlic bread grilled cheese, you never go back. Just warning you now.

Ingredients for Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this heavenly sandwich – I promise it’s all super simple stuff you probably have in your kitchen right now:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened – This is key! Leave it out for about 20 minutes so it spreads like a dream. Don’t even think about using cold butter – you’ll tear your bread and that’s just sad.
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder – My lazy cook’s secret weapon. Though if you’re feeling fancy, see my tip below about fresh garlic.
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley – Gives that classic garlic bread look and a little herbal freshness.
4 slices sandwich bread – I’m partial to good old white bread here – it gets that perfect golden crunch. Though sourdough? Also amazing.
1 cup shredded mozzarella and cheddar blend – The mozzarella gives that epic stretch, while cheddar brings the flavor. Shred it yourself if you can – pre-shredded stuff has anti-caking agents that don’t melt as nicely.

See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s turn these humble ingredients into something magical!

How to Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Okay, let’s get cooking! I promise this is so easy you’ll have it memorized after the first time.

First, make that glorious garlic butter: Grab a small bowl and mash together the softened butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley until it’s all happily combined. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth – we’re making sandwiches here, not entering a beauty contest.

Now, assemble your masterpieces: Spread that garlicky goodness on one side of each bread slice – be generous! Pile your cheese between two slices with the buttered sides facing out. That’s right – we’re grilling the buttered sides for maximum crispiness.

Time to grill: Heat your skillet over medium heat (no higher or you’ll burn the garlic before the cheese melts). Carefully place your sandwiches in the pan. Now the hard part – wait about 3-4 minutes until that first side is golden brown with little crispy edges. Flip carefully (melty cheese alert!) and cook the other side until equally gorgeous and the cheese is oozing temptingly.

That’s it! Cut in half if you’re feeling civilized, or just bite right in like I usually do.

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese - detail 2

Pro Tips for Perfect Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Want to take it up a notch? Here are my hard-earned secrets:

Fresh garlic lovers: Swap the garlic powder for 1 minced fresh clove. Just be careful not to burn it – keep the heat medium-low.
Heat control is key: If your bread’s browning too fast before the cheese melts, turn the heat down a smidge. Patience pays off!
Press lightly: Use your spatula to gently press the sandwich for about 10 seconds after flipping. This gives you even browning and better cheese melt.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

The beauty of this recipe? You can make it your own with simple swaps! Here are my favorite twists:

Cheese game strong: Try provolone for extra melt, pepper jack for spice, or gruyère for fancy nights. My neighbor swears by adding a slice of American for ultimate gooeyness.
Bread experiments: Sourdough adds tang, brioche brings richness, or go whole wheat for a heartier bite. Just slice it a tad thicker so it holds up to the butter.
Herb it up: Toss in some fresh basil or oregano with the parsley. Or – game changer – rub the bread with a cut garlic clove after cooking for extra punch.

Already vegetarian as-is, but for vegan? Dairy-free butter and plant-based cheeses work surprisingly well here!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

This sandwich is perfect all by itself, but here’s how I love to round out the meal:

Classic combo: Dunk it in a bowl of tomato soup – the tangy sweetness cuts through the rich cheese beautifully. Bonus points for grilled cheese croutons on top!
Light balance: A simple side salad with vinaigrette adds freshness without stealing the spotlight from your star sandwich.
Quick crunch: A handful of crisp dill pickles or chips gives that perfect salty contrast to the garlicky goodness.

Honestly though? Sometimes I just eat two sandwiches and call it a day. No shame in my grilled cheese game!

Storing and Reheating Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Okay, let’s be real – this sandwich is best fresh. But if you must save some (or made extra on purpose – smart!), here’s how:

Wrap any leftovers tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When reheating, skip the microwave unless you want soggy sadness! Instead, pop it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side until crispy again. The oven works too – 350°F for about 10 minutes gets that crunch back.

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Nutrition Information

Okay, I know we’re not eating this sandwich for our health – but here’s the nutrition breakdown per serving (that’s one glorious sandwich) for those who like to know:

Calories: About 350 – totally worth it for that cheesy garlic goodness
Fat: 20g (12g saturated) – hey, butter and cheese are the stars here!
Protein: 15g – not bad for something this delicious
Carbohydrates: 30g (2g fiber) – mostly from that perfect bread
Sodium: 450mg – cut back by using low-sodium cheese if needed

Just remember – these numbers can change depending on your exact ingredients. Use whole wheat bread? More fiber. Add extra cheese? You know what happens (no regrets). The important thing is enjoying every garlicky, melty bite!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh garlic instead of powder?
Absolutely! I love using 1 minced garlic clove instead of powder when I want extra punch. Just keep the heat medium-low to prevent burning – fresh garlic can turn bitter if cooked too hot too fast.

How do I prevent the bread from burning?
Two tricks: First, keep your heat at medium – no higher. Second, if the bread’s browning too fast before the cheese melts, simply turn the heat down a notch. A little patience gives you perfect golden bread and fully melted cheese every time.

Can I make this ahead of time?
While best fresh, you can prep the garlic butter and shred the cheese ahead. Store them separately in the fridge, then assemble and grill when ready. Leftover sandwiches? See my reheating tips above to bring back that perfect crispiness.

What’s the best cheese blend for maximum melt?
My go-to is mozzarella for stretch and cheddar for flavor, but adding a slice of American cheese (don’t judge!) makes it extra gooey. Provolone and gruyère also melt beautifully if you’re feeling fancy.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of butter?
You can, but you’ll lose that classic garlic bread flavor. If you do, mix the garlic powder into the mayo first. The mayo will give a nice crisp crust, but trust me – butter’s flavor is worth the extra calories here!