Ina Garten’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe That Melts Hearts

Golden bread crackles around layers of rich, melted cheese.

Grilled cheese becomes a gourmet experience with the right ingredients.

A mix of textures and flavors gives each bite unexpected complexity.

It’s comfort food reimagined with simple upgrades.

Every element works in harmony, from the buttered crust to the gooey center.

You’ll never look at this classic sandwich the same way again.

Why Ultimate Grilled Cheese Lives Up to Its Name

• Savor Flavor-Packed Bacon Crunch: The roasted bacon adds a smoky, crispy texture that elevates the classic grilled cheese from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a delightful crunch in every bite.
• Master Gourmet Cheese Blend: Combining Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses creates a luxurious, melty interior with a perfect balance of sharp and creamy flavors that transforms a simple sandwich into a gourmet experience.
• Nail the Perfect Golden Crisp: The mayonnaise-Parmesan spread and careful cooking technique guarantee a beautifully golden, crispy exterior that provides an irresistible crunch and rich, tangy undertone to the sandwich.
• Enjoy Foolproof Gourmet Cooking: This recipe is surprisingly simple yet impressive, making restaurant-quality grilled cheese accessible to home cooks of all skill levels with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

What You’ll Need for the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Build

• Sourdough Bread: Sturdy bread with tangy flavor that provides perfect crispy exterior for grilling.
• Butter: Adds rich golden color and enhances sandwich's crispy texture.

• Gruyère Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: High-quality melting cheeses with complex, sharp flavor profiles that create ultimate cheesy experience.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth and salty notes to mayonnaise spread.

• Bacon: Crispy protein that provides smoky and salty crunch to sandwich.
• Mayonnaise: Creates golden, crispy exterior and adds creamy tang.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces sharp, zesty flavor to spread.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

How to Toast the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Just Right

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Bacon

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack. Arrange bacon strips on the rack. Roast for 20-30 minutes until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Chop into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Spread

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Prepare Bread Canvas

Lay bread slices on a clean surface. Generously butter one side of each slice. Flip bread over and coat the opposite side with the prepared Parmesan spread.

Step 4: Shred Cheese Blend

• Gruyère cheese
• Cheddar cheese

Mix the shredded cheeses in a separate bowl.

Step 5: Build Sandwich Layers

Place six bread slices (spread side facing up). Evenly distribute chopped bacon pieces. Sprinkle a generous handful of cheese blend. Top with remaining bread slices, mayonnaise side down.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection

Heat a panini press, griddle, or skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches 3-5 minutes per side until bread turns golden brown and cheese melts completely. For skillet method, use a heavy pan to press down for even cooking.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Allow sandwiches to rest for 2 minutes. Slice diagonally. Plate and serve immediately while warm and wonderfully crispy.

Pro Tip: Enjoy with a side of pickles or fresh salad for a complete meal experience!

Tips to Get That Crispy Outside and Melted Center

• Cheese Selection Strategy: Pick aged Gruyère or sharp Cheddar for maximum taste complexity and superior melting performance.
• Bacon Baking Technique: Roast bacon in the oven on a raised rack to guarantee consistent crispiness and allow excess fat to drip away.
• Edge-to-Edge Flavor Coating: Generously spread butter and Parmesan-mustard mixture across entire bread surface for uniform golden browning and delicious taste in every single bite.
• Pressing for Perfection: Use a heavy skillet or weighted object to compress sandwiches during cooking, creating an irresistibly crisp and evenly browned exterior.
• Cooling Wisdom: Rest grilled cheese sandwiches for two minutes after cooking, allowing cheese to slightly set and preventing messy filling spillage when slicing.

How to Store the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Without Sog

• Freeze Method: After assembling the grilled cheese, wrap each sandwich individually in parchment paper, then place inside a freezer-safe resealable bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal texture. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Reheating Method: Transform frozen sandwiches by preheating the oven to 375°F. Unwrap the sandwich and place directly on a baking sheet, heating for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and bread becomes golden and crispy. This technique restores the sandwich's original crunch and warmth.
• Separation Method: Keep different cheese varieties in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator to prevent flavor mixing. Layer sandwiches between sheets of wax paper to maintain their structure and prevent sticking.

New Takes on Ina’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• Spicy Bacon Blast: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture for a fiery kick that elevates the classic grilled cheese experience.
• Mediterranean Medley: Replace bacon with sun-dried tomatoes, sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese, and add fresh basil leaves for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Smoky Mushroom Marvel: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms with garlic and thyme, then layer them between the cheeses for an earthy, rich alternative to bacon.
• Truffle Treasure: Drizzle white truffle oil over the cheese before grilling and use a blend of fontina and Gruyère for a luxurious, gourmet sandwich that feels like a special treat.

Say Goodbye With One Last Gooey, Crispy Bite

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s ultimate grilled cheese, blending crispy bacon, rich cheeses, and tangy Parmesan spread.

Sophisticated ingredients elevate this classic comfort sandwich beyond ordinary expectations.

Crisp exteriors give way to molten cheese centers, creating irresistible textural contrasts.

Gourmet techniques transform humble bread into a luxurious meal experience.

Bacon’s smoky notes dance with melted Gruyère and Cheddar, promising pure satisfaction.

Passionate home cooks can confidently craft this restaurant-quality sandwich, impressing family and friends with minimal effort.

Share this mouthwatering recipe, comment with your grilled cheese adventures, and spread deliciousness across social media!

Ina Garten Ultimate Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s ultimate grilled cheese elevates comfort classic with sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and parmesan cheese layers between sourdough bread. Crispy golden exterior and melted cheese center promise delicious indulgence you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 slices thick-cut bacon, such as Nodine’s applewood smoked
• 1 loaf white pullman or sourdough bread, sliced ½ inch thick (12 slices)
• 6 ounces (170 grams) aged Gruyère or Comté cheese
• 6 ounces (170 grams) extra-sharp Cheddar, such as Cabot or Shelburne Farms

Cheese Ingredients:

• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Spread Ingredients:

• 1 cup good mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the bacon by laying strips on a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 200°C / 400°F for 20–30 minutes until perfectly crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized 1-inch / 2.5 cm pieces.
2. Create the flavor-packed spread by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, finely grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.
3. Arrange bread slices on a clean work surface. Generously coat one side of each slice with softened butter, then flip and lavishly spread the prepared Parmesan mixture on the opposite side.
4. Shred Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses using a food processor or box grater. Gently mix the two cheeses in a separate bowl to create a rich, melty blend.
5. Construct the sandwiches by placing six bread slices mayonnaise-side up. Distribute crispy bacon pieces evenly across the slices, then sprinkle approximately ⅓ cup / of the cheese mixture over the bacon.
6. Complete the sandwich assembly by topping with the remaining bread slices, positioning them mayonnaise-side down.
7. Cook the sandwiches using a panini press, griddle, or large skillet. If using a skillet, apply gentle pressure with a heavy pan to ensure even browning. Grill for 3–5 minutes until the bread turns golden and the cheese melts completely.
8. Allow the sandwiches to rest for 2 minutes after cooking to help the cheese set. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while warm and gloriously gooey.

Notes

• Perfectly pick aged Gruyère or sharp Cheddar for exceptional melting quality without compromising texture.
• Transform bacon cooking by using oven-baking method, guaranteeing crispy, evenly cooked strips that enhance sandwich depth.
• Create seamless flavor distribution by spreading butter and Parmesan-mustard mixture completely across bread surfaces.
• Apply strategic pressing techniques with heavy skillets or weighted objects to develop golden, crunchy exterior for ultimate sandwich satisfaction.
• Allow brief resting period after cooking to stabilize cheese and maintain structural integrity before slicing and serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 90mg