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!
I have to confess that fall is not one of my favorite seasons. Despite having grown up in Ohio, I am just NOT a cold weather girl. My fingers and toes are perpetually like ice, and the gray sky days totally make me want to hibernate in my nice, warm bed until spring rolls around.
On the other hand, I do love me some fall comfort food! Soups and chilis reign, and this early on, all of our old favorites feel new again — even the classic tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. This pairing is in heavy rotation because they’re both quick and easy to prepare, with special thanks to this trick I learned for making grilled cheese in the oven…
Oh yes, if you were in the dark on this technique (as I obviously was), you are in for such a treat! This has been a huge lifesaver for my larger than average family. Previously, I’d have two pans going on the stove top, along with the panini press, just to make sure everyone got a hot and fresh grilled cheese sandwich with their bowl of soup.
Surely there has to be a better way to make grilled cheese for a crowd, right? I’m not sure if I googled for a solution or searched Pinterest, but when I stumbled on the sheet pan grilled cheese in the oven method, I couldn’t believe how easy it was!
This simple method makes six classic grilled cheese sandwiches per half sheet pan, hot and fresh from the oven, in just about 10 minutes.
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 half sheet pan. One method calls for using two pans, with the second pan placed on top of the sandwiches to speed up the cooking time. Give it a try if you like, but I didn’t find this method to be very effective. Grilled cheese sandwiches I prepared 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.
The oven-baked method I use only dirties a single half sheet pan for 6 sandwiches. For each sandwich, simply spread the outsides of two pieces of bread with softened butter, layer with the desired number of slices of Sargento® Sliced Cheese on the inside, and place them on the baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes, 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.
Ingredients:
- 12 slices of bread
- 8 tablespoons salted butter, softened
- 6-12 slices cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Butter one side of 6 slices of bread and place each butter-side down on a half 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 the type of bread used.
An Important Note About Baking Time
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, and the temperature of the cheese, as well as the general quirks of your oven. Keep a close eye on the sandwiches the first few times you try this method until you learn the best timing for your oven and choice of bread.
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Sargento® Cheese; all opinions and text are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this site! For more delicious cheese recipes using 100% real, natural Sargento® Sliced Cheese, check out Facebook and Instagram!
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