Will white bread work?

Yes, you can use regular white bread in place of sourdough bread. Your sandwich won't have the same sour flavor as sourdough bread, but the other steps are the same.

Why is my bread browning too fast?

Your pan is too hot. I fry eggs in bread at medium-low heat or less to keep the bread from scorching while the cheese melts. You might want to reduce the heat if the bread is browning more quickly than the cheese. Some browning of the bread is fine, but you should reduce the heat if you see black marks on the bread.

Can I swap the mustard?

You can replace Dijon mustard with other sauces you enjoy. One substitute is pesto. Mozzarella and provolone cheeses pair well with pesto. Consider putting the other sauce inside the sandwich and mayonnaise on the outside of the bread.

How much cheese do I need?

Use about 1 or 2 ounces of each type of cheese, or adjust the amounts depending on the size of the bread. I prefer to add small amounts of cheese over the mustard instead of distributing it evenly. Add more cheese to larger slices of bread used for sandwiches than to smaller ones. Cheese overhanging the edges of the bread can drip into the pan as it melts.

What variations work here?

For a sandwich with vegetables, try sautéed spinach, sautéed onions, steamed and chopped broccoli, roasted red peppers, roasted tomatoes, and other vegetables. Toppings can include cheddar and other cheeses like fontina and gouda. Adding blue cheese can make the sandwich stronger tasting. Other topping ideas include gruyère and brie with thin apple slices and fig preserves. You might also add pickled red onions and fresh radishes and jalapeños. To avoid puffing, use thin layers of toppings when making a sandwich.

What should I serve with it?

Tomato soup is one suggestion. It may be the best suggestion. It's best served with the sandwich while the cheese on the sandwich is still melted.

The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By Mason BrooksOct 11, 2026

Prep

5 min

Cook

5 min

Total

10 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

A grilled cheese sandwich requires 10 minutes to prepare and cook, with 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking time. I use sourdough bread and sharp cheddar and Gruyère or raclette cheeses to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Cook grilled cheese sandwiches covered on medium-low heat for 5 minutes for a toasted exterior and melted interior. Covering the sandwich is important.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Cheddar and Gruyère

Mayonnaise is applied to one side of a bread slice. Mustard is applied to one side of the other bread slice. Grated cheese is sprinkled over the mustard on the bread slice. The other bread slice, mayonnaise side up, is laid over the grated cheese. The lid is placed on the pan to trap steam and heat between the slices of bread. Sliced cheese is not used except for brie cheese, which is sliced. This helps keep the center of the sandwich from being overly cheesy.

I use a cast-iron skillet for darker sandwiches, but I might also use a nonstick skillet when it is more convenient and add butter to the pan before adding the sandwich. Benefits of using a cast-iron skillet include steady heat and darker bread without a grill press at home.

Sourdough bread has a sour flavor that pairs well with strong cheeses. You may use regular white bread instead of sourdough if you don't have it. I serve sandwich pieces cut into triangles.

Why you'll love this recipe

Designed for one person to eat without having to divide a casserole into servings.
You won't have to cut anything or wash a container, You don't need a special sandwich press to make a sandwich.
One skillet is required to make this sandwich, including browning the butter in the skillet.
It has many uses with cheeses and sauces, as well as other vegetables and fruits, such as pickled vegetables and fruits.
Cooking the skillet dish enables the filling and the bread to cook on both sides.

Instructions

Set the bread slices on a cutting board and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the top side of each slice.

Turn one bread slice over and spread Dijon mustard on the other side.

Pile the cheddar and Gruyère or raclette over the mustard.

Top with the remaining bread slice, with its mayonnaise side facing out.

Heat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat and melt enough butter to coat the bottom.

Add the sandwich, cover the skillet, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the bottom bread slice is golden brown and crisp.

Flip the sandwich, cover again, and cook for 1 to 3 minutes, until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Reduce the heat to low if the bread gets too brown before the cheese is fully melted.

Slice the sandwich and serve.

1 / 4

Lunch Dinner Vegetarian Quick Meals Stovetop

The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Name: The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 2 slices sourdough bread; mayonnaise (for the outside of the bread); Dijon mustard; 1 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (grated, use 1 to 2 ounces depending on the size of the bread); 1 ounces Gruyère or raclette cheese (grated, use 1 to 2 ounces depending on the size of the bread); butter (for coating the pan)

By Mason BrooksOct 11, 2026

Prep

5 min

Cook

5 min

Total

10 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Sourdough bread has a sour flavor that pairs well with strong cheeses. You may use regular white bread instead of sourdough if you don't have it. I serve sandwich pieces cut into triangles.

Why you'll love this recipe

Designed for one person to eat without having to divide a casserole into servings.
You won't have to cut anything or wash a container, You don't need a special sandwich press to make a sandwich.
One skillet is required to make this sandwich, including browning the butter in the skillet.
It has many uses with cheeses and sauces, as well as other vegetables and fruits, such as pickled vegetables and fruits.
Cooking the skillet dish enables the filling and the bread to cook on both sides.

Ingredients

Servings1

•2 slices sourdough bread
•mayonnaise (for the outside of the bread)
•Dijon mustard
•1 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (grated, use 1 to 2 ounces depending on the size of the bread)
•1 ounces Gruyère or raclette cheese (grated, use 1 to 2 ounces depending on the size of the bread)
•butter (for coating the pan)

Instructions

1
Set the bread slices on a cutting board and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the top side of each slice.
2
Turn one bread slice over and spread Dijon mustard on the other side.
3
Pile the cheddar and Gruyère or raclette over the mustard.
4
Top with the remaining bread slice, with its mayonnaise side facing out.
5
Heat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat and melt enough butter to coat the bottom.
6
Add the sandwich, cover the skillet, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the bottom bread slice is golden brown and crisp.
7
Flip the sandwich, cover again, and cook for 1 to 3 minutes, until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
8
Reduce the heat to low if the bread gets too brown before the cheese is fully melted.
9
Slice the sandwich and serve.