This simple grilled cheese in the oven method makes six classic grilled cheese sandwiches per half sheet pan! BAKED grilled cheese? YES — hot and fresh, in just about 10 minutes... SO EASY!!!
This recipe was created in partnership with Sargento Cheese. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!
Confession time — fall is definitely NOT one of my favorite seasons! Despite having grown up in Ohio, I'm not one of those girls that gets cozy vibes from the changing leaves and cooler weather. The only vibe I have is dread for the even colder weather, ice, snow, and gray sky days that I know will soon follow.
But on the other hand, I do love me some fall comfort food. Give me ALL the hot and bubbly casseroles, the chicken and dumplings, and the simmering soups, stews, and chilis!
Creamy tomato basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches? Yes, please! This pairing has been in heavy rotation here lately. Mainly because they're delicious together, but also because they're so quick and easy to prepare. Especially since I learned this trick for making grilled cheese in the oven...
Wait, BAKED grilled cheese?!? YES!! This simple grilled cheese in oven technique is nothing short of life changing.
Why You'll Love This Method
- prepare 6 classic grilled cheese sandwiches all at once
- or make TWELVE grilled cheese for a crowd with this XL baking sheet
- perfectly toasted & crispy with gooey melted cheese
- hot and fresh from the oven in just about 10 minutes
No more juggling multiple skillets... This hack has been a lifesaver for feeding my larger than average family!
"It was the best grilled cheese I ever made!"
I used this grilled cheese method tonight, and my picky eaters said it was the best grilled cheese I had ever made! I love how light and crunchy the bread is!
Baked Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Using the very best ingredients is important when making any type of grilled cheese. My family prefers wheat bread, and I like to use salted butter for extra flavor.
Also, none of those plastic-y American singles around here! Yeah, I used them back in the day, too — until I found out that they're only required to contain a minimum of 51% real cheese and may contain as many as 15 different added ingredients. Um, gross (!!!) and NO THANKS...
Sargento sliced cheese is 100% real, natural cheese, and in my opinion, it's the best thing since sliced bread. See what I did there?!
I know, ha-ha — but really, this stuff is full of flavor and perfect for your favorite sandwiches, wraps, burgers, etc. With 23 delicious varieties, you're sure to find one to satisfy every member of your household.
I'm partial to a grilled pepper jack cheese sandwich, but most of my family prefers a classic medium cheddar.
How To Make Grilled Cheese In The Oven
There are actually a few different ways to make grilled cheese in the oven using a sheet pan.
One common method uses two half sheet pans. One baking sheet holds the sandwiches, and the second sheet pan gets set on top of the sandwiches to supposedly speed up the cooking time. Give it a try if you like, but I DID NOT find this method to be very effective.
The grilled cheese sandwiches I made using this technique were unevenly browned and took about the same amount of time to cook. Plus, I was left with additional equipment to clean up — and you know how much I HATE doing dishes!
My go to oven-baked grilled cheese method only dirties a single half sheet pan for 6 sandwiches. 🙌🏼
Nordic Ware Naturals Sheet Pans
These natural aluminum sheet pans are my holy grail baking sheets! They're lightweight yet sturdy, heat evenly, and resist warping, thanks to an encapsulated solid core steel rim. Plus they're made in the USA!
Six sandwiches will fit on one of the standard half sheet pans... But if you have a big family like me (or maybe just big eaters?), I highly recommend picking up at least one of these XL rimmed baking sheets. You can make TWELVE sandwiches on one all at once!!!
To make grilled cheese in oven:
- Spread the outsides of two pieces of sliced sandwich bread with softened butter. Place one slice butter side down on a baking sheet.
- Layer with the desired number of slices of cheese, and top with another piece of bread, butter side out.
- Bake the grilled cheese in oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown, flipping the sandwiches halfway through cooking.
Voila! Pull out your big batch of hot and melty grilled cheese sandwiches and serve with your favorite soup.
Tara's Tip: Get This Spreader Knife
No more waiting around for the butter to soften enough to spread on your sandwich bread... This stainless steel butter spreader knife has holes that are designed to grate cold butter into long strands that will soften quickly into a spreadable consistency!
How Long To Cook Grilled Cheese In Oven
The time it takes to make grilled cheese in the oven depends on several factors, including:
- the bread type (wheat, white, etc.)
- the thickness of the bread slices
- the temperature of the cheese
- and the general quirks of your oven
Keep a close eye on the sandwiches the first few times you try this method. You also may want to also pick up an inexpensive analog oven thermometer to check your oven. It's surprising how many ovens run quite a bit hotter or cooler than the set temperature.
You'll quickly learn the best timing for your oven and choice of bread, and then you won't need to check as often...
Hope this grilled cheese hack becomes one of your favorites, too!!
Printable Recipe ↓
Grilled Cheese In The Oven
Key Equipment
- rimmed half sheet baking pan (fits 6 sandwiches)
- XL rimmed baking sheet pan (fits 12 sandwiches)
- cold butter spreader knife
- wide slotted turner spatula
Ingredients
- 12 pieces sliced sandwich bread
- 6 pieces sliced American cheese - double as desired
- 8 tablespoons salted butter - softened
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400℉.
- Butter one side of 6 slices of bread and place each butter-side down on a sheet pan. Layer 1-2 slices of cheese on each slice of bread. Spread butter on 6 remaining slices of bread and place them buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
- Bake for 5-6 minutes. Flip the sandwiches over and bake for an additional 5-6 minutes, until golden brown. Baking time may vary slightly depending on whether white or wheat bread is used.
Featured Products
Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup
Looking for the perfect soup to pair with these easy grilled cheese in the oven sandwiches? This creamy homemade tomato soup recipe is a total copycat of my favorite tomato basil soup at First Watch!
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your oven baked grilled cheese sandwiches turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check them out. Enjoy!
Brigitte says
Officially the only way I’ll be making grilled cheese for the rest of my life
Trish Drake says
As a family of six, I am always looking for recipes that make cooking easier and faster. This Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe was perfect. The whole family loved it and have requested this sandwich again. Thank you so very much for sharing this recipe.
Nancy Eisenhart says
Had no idea these would come out so perfectly. Yhanks
Pam says
I found your site because i needed to make 50 mini grilled cheese and wanted to see if they would work in the oven. They came out perfectly!! I used crostini bread with gruyere, blueberries and lemon curd... crust was just right. Thanks for this!
Tara Kuczykowski says
These sound delicious! So happy it worked well for you.
Steven says
Waste of time. Butter melts and permeates the bread, no golden brown. Just listen to your inner voice and grill it
Kat says
Thank you for the times and temperature. These are exactly like the ones we used to eat from our school cafeteria. They were my favorite
Derek says
Straightforward instructions, easy to follow. My only complaint is that I like lightly toasted grilled cheese and these came out on the crisper side, in the future I would probably only cook for 3-4 minutes per side instead of 5
Ada says
This really works! I make a really great grilled cheese in a skillet so I was skeptical, but gave it a try because I didn’t have skillet available in the rental I’m in… and it turned out perfect in the oven. Thx for sharing!
Timothy A. Price says
The taste
Junell says
GREAT!!! Easy Peasy! Will serve this weejkend.
Junell says
Do you preheat the pan? THX!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi June’s! I do not, because I find it easier and less messy to butter and build the sandwiches right on the sheet pan. But you absolutely could if you want to, and it would cut down the cook time slightly on the first side.
TheStayAtHomeDad says
A few tips for best sandwiches, in my opinion:
Be LIBERAL with the butter/cooking spray
10 minutes per side @ 400-450 (To your crispiness preference)
Pre-cooked bacon! I stack them like this:
Bread
Cheese
Bacon
Cheese
Bread
The kids LOVE it with the extra cheese and the bacon in the middle!
Angie says
Easy and simple! Thank you!
C Stevens says
While reading your directions you mentioned that some ovens run cold or hot, and suggested investing in an oven thermometer. A quick, easy and cheap way to tell if your oven is correct is to melt sugar in your oven in a safe clear container, or on piece of foil, set oven at 375. When it melts your oven is at 366. From there you can gauge if it’s running hot or cold.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Wow, I've never heard of this test. Great tip — thanks for sharing!
Donna says
Tried the grilled cheese baked method. Five minutes on each side was definitely not long enough for baking. I did six minute and still finished off on the stovetop.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Donna! As mentioned, you may need to adjust the time based on the bread you use and your oven. Just give them a little more time and it should work.
Christine Rivera says
Hi! I'm actually making this for Church. Im making about 25 -30 of them. How can I keep the Grillef cheese sandwich crispy. I noticed when they are put into an aluminum tray and covered, the bread gets soggy. Any ideas ? Thanks! :)
Tara Kuczykowski says
Great question, Christine! I think in this case you need to either prioritize keeping them warm or keeping them crispy. If you want them to stay crispy, I'd suggest cooling them on a wire rack before covering them in an aluminum tray. If you want them to stay warm but are okay with them being less crispy, I'd try wrapping them individually in foil.
Linni says
I used this grilled cheese method tonight, and my picky eaters said it was the best grilled cheese I had ever made! I love how light and crunchy the bread is! I will definitely be trying this method for grilled PB&J too! Thanks so much for sharing!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, this makes me so happy!! So glad it worked well for you, too.
Kiki says
Outstanding!!! I am usually a burn a side or two by accident person when it comes to grilled cheese but not anymore!! I was able to make six sandwiches at once, in ten minutes!!! 17 year old son LOVED them! Said he found his new favorite comfort food! (He's not a picky eater, thankfully, but he is an eater! He powerlifts so he's built like a tank!)
Becky says
I oiled the metal baking dish and then generously buttered the bread as directed. All the sandwiches came out beautifully! My husband couldn’t believe it. And having all the sandwiches come out at the same time instead of the pan version one by one is a game changer. It’s our new recipe! Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Love to hear this, Becky!
Denay DeGuzman says
Making grilled-cheese sandwiches in the oven is my favorite way of multi-tasking when feeding a crowd of hungry teens! The Sargento cheese you've selected looks so darn yummy.
Christina says
This was the easiest way to make a big batch! *Mind Blown!*
Jocelyn says
This is the best way to make a bunch of grilled cheese at once!!! My family loved having hot sandwiches and soup all at once!
Cliona Keane says
Oh wow! I didn't think grilled cheese could get any better, but then you made these! I love that you can make loads at once...perfect for everyone in the family!
Elnora Johnson says
I saw a Pinterest post where the recipe called for using aluminum foil on the sheet pan to create a more crispy toast.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Elnora - I'm not sure about how it would aid in crisping the toast more, but it definitely would make cleanup easier! Would love to hear how it turns out if you try it.
Lori says
This is the best idea ever- so fun!
Sonal says
This is such a brilliant idea. Never thought of that. Will try soon. Thanks for posting it.
Kelly Anthony says
I was considering making grilled cheese for my family the night before Thanksgiving and after reading this post I know it will be a lot easier using the oven. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beth Neels says
Well, this is pretty near genius! They are done perfectly! I don't like them to brown, or too light! The perfect toasting is required, in my book! I am so doing this in the future! Thanks!
Jessica Formicola says
You just can't beat a classic grilled cheese! This is genius!
Liz says
Oh man! I love how easy these Grilled Cheese are! My son in college would love this recipe!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Such a fantastic idea!! These look SO delicious!!
Renee Goerger says
Mind blown!! This is an idea I would have never thought of, but I'm glad you did! Thanks for sharing this brilliant new way to make grilled cheese!!
Lisa says
It's so much easier to whip up a bunch of grilled sandwiches in the oven versus a griddle or stove. Thanks for the idea!
Nanajee Travels says
This simple grilled cheese in the oven method makes six classic grilled cheese sandwiches per half sheet pan, hot and fresh, in just about 10 minutes... SO EASY!!!
Aimee Shugarman says
This was perfect getting dinner to my family at the same time!! Never thought to put the sandwiches in the oven!
Angela says
Oh my gosh, I can't believe how easy this method is! I'm NEVER making grilled cheese on the stovetop again.
Angela says
Oh my gosh, I can't believe how easy this method is! I'm NEVER making grilled cheese on the stovetop again.