Baked Grilled Cheese (Easy Sheet Pan Recipe) + Video

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Baked grilled cheese has the same golden, crispy crust and gooey melted center you know and love. Cook a big batch at once in just 10 minutes! This just might be the easiest way to make the best grilled cheese, ever. 

titled (shown sliced and stacked) baked grilled cheese


 

With just one pan, you can have a dozen or so oven grilled cheese sandwiches for a crowd without having to stand in front of a hot stove flipping them one by one!

This means that you can make an easy lunch with several slices of bread, cheese slices, and melted butter – and feed a crowd! Simple ingredients and the oven method make for quick work. 

slices of swiss, brie and cheddar cheese on cutting board

Baked Grilled Cheese

Making grilled cheese in the oven puts an end to that old, labor intensive method and yields sandwiches that are just as tasty.

Don’t need quite so many? You can cook smaller batches in the air fryer too! 

Or, add extra toppings like bacon, tomato, and arugula for a gourmet version that can’t be beat.

hands assembling grilled cheese for a crowd on sheet pan

Tips for Perfect Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

  • Slice your own cheese. 
    While packaged slices and shreds are convenient, they contain anti-caking agents to prevent them from sticking together. 

    This also creates a waxy texture and prevents that ooey-gooey pull you’re looking for.
  • Use room temperature ingredients. 
    Cold slices takes longer to melt and softened butter is easier to spread. 
  • Want them extra crispy? 
    Grab another baking sheet and place it on top of the oven grilled cheese sandwiches! 

    The extra weight and heat will help the bread toast more evenly, like a makeshift panini press.

EASY KITCHEN HACK

To Soften Butter Quickly:

If you forgot to pull the butter out, use this handy trick. 

Fill tall drinking glasses with very hot water, then after a minute or so, pour the water out. Place a cup upside down over each stick of butter, and they’ll be soft in no time!

buttering slices of bread on sheet pan

Serving Suggestions

Add whatever else you want to these baked grilled cheese sandwiches! 

Tomatoes, bacon, ham, spinach, and apple slices are all great toppings that would taste delicious.

Of course, tomato basil soup is a must for dipping. A hearty cup of chili would be a wonderful side as well!

flipping grilled cheese sandwiches in oven

Baked Grilled Cheese FAQ

What is the best bread for oven grilled cheese?

There really isn’t a wrong answer here! Consider traditional white bread, Texas toast, rye, multigrain, whole grain, or anything else you like. 

What’s the best cheese for grilled cheese in the oven?

It’s a good idea to pair an aged variety for flavor with a younger variety that melts easily. The combination of mild cheddar, Swiss, and Brie in this grilled cheese in oven recipe creates a creamy, mild flavor that anyone will enjoy.

However, feel free to experiment with different combinations! Some popular choices are:

American cheese
Havarti
Monterey Jack
Gouda
Provolone
Manchego
Gruyere
White cheddar
Sharp cheddar
Colby Jack
Pepper Jack
And any other type of cheese that you can think of to put on the pieces of bread. 

How do you know when to flip? 

As soon as you notice the tops getting nice and golden-brown, or if the center is starting to melt, it’s time to flip your baked grilled cheese sandwiches!

This usually takes place around the 5-minute mark, but keep a close eye since these can go from golden brown to burnt pretty quickly!

Can I make oven grilled cheese sandwiches ahead of time? 

You can slice all of the cheese up to a day in advance, so all that’s left to do is assemble. Or, put together each sandwich before guests arrive and butter them just before they go in the oven.

Either way, they should be served immediately after being baked!

Do I need to grease the cookie sheet or rimmed baking sheet? 

Since you’re adding butter to the slice of bread, I don’t think that you’d have to really stress over adding butter or greasing the pan. However, it can’t hurt! 

What foods pair well with this cheesy perfection?

You can pair this with your favorite soup, fresh veggies, or a simple side salad. This hot sandwich is made with simple steps, and the different tastes and side dishes can be versatile!  

The best thing about making this classic choice is that you can pair this with other fun new recipes. 

toasted baked grilled cheese sandwiches

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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hot melted cheese pulling from sandwich

Other Easy Recipes

baked grilled cheese sliced in half

Baked Grilled Cheese (Easy Sheet Pan Recipe) + Video

Donna Elick
Baked grilled cheese has the golden, crispy crust and gooey melted center you want. This recipe makes sandwiches for a crowd in 10 minutes!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 8 – 12

Ingredients
 

  • 24 slices thick sliced bread, Texas toast is great
  • 12 slices Swiss cheese, sliced thick
  • 12 slices mild cheddar cheese, sliced thick
  • 12 ounces Brie cheese, sliced thin
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • Prep sandwiches: generously butter a slice of bread, place it face down on your baking sheet.
  • Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread. Top the with slices of Brie, then finish each with a slice of mild cheddar with 3 slices total.
  • Place a slice of bread on top and butter the top of the second slice of bread. Set aside and repeat until you have enough sandwiches to fill your baking sheets. *I made 12 sandwiches
  • Once your sandwiches are prepared, place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for approximately 8-10 minutes (or until very golden brown and the cheeses are melty), flip the sandwiches after the first 5 minutes of bake time.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Donna’s Notes

Check sandwiches at about 4 minutes. If they are starting to brown, flip them and watch them carefully.
You can customize this recipe with different cheeses to suit your taste: Colby Jack, American, provolone, gruyere, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, Havarti, Gouda, Manchego and Fontina are all great melting cheeses and amazing in grilled cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 873cal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 956mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 323mg | Iron: 18mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
melted cheese oozing from baked grilled cheese sandwich

Originally published May 2014, updated and republished January 2024

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4 Comments

  1. Been wanting to try this since I read it on your blog. Had the opportunity this morning to use the same technique for french toast!

  2. 5 stars
    Baking grilled cheese takes it to another world. It has such a nice consistency, and the cheese gets just as melty.

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