Crisp and buttery on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside are what a perfectly executed grilled cheese sandwich is all about.
The secret twist to this easy grilled cheese sandwich is the addition of fresh basil. The combination of fresh basil and tomato are a match made in heaven. If you agree you might also like my recipe for the Best Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup or my Italian Lentil and Barley Soup with Vegetables recipe. The best part is that you don't have to be a kid to enjoy dunking your grilled cheese in a steaming bowl of soup 🙂
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Gather your Ingredients for the Grilled Cheese
- bread-I used a sprouted grain bread for this recipe
- mild or strong cheddar
- fresh basil
- salted butter
See the recipe below for specific quantities and details.
Equipment
- nonstick frying pan
- spatula
- measuring spoon
- chef's knife
- butter knife
Recipe Instructions
Prepare the bread. On your work surface lay both slices of bread. Spread half the butter on what will be the outside of your sandwich and do the same with the other slice of bread.
Add the rest of the ingredients. Next lay one slice of cheese onto the unbuttered side of the bread, add the fresh basil, lay the second piece of cheese on top of the basil and finally add the second slice of bread (buttered side facing out) on top of the cheese to form your sandwich.
Preheat the frying pan. Over medium-low heat, preheat the frying pan for two minutes. Once the pan is preheated, carefully add the sandwich and cook for 3-5 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Next flip the sandwich and cook the other side for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the pan.
Serve. Once removed from the pan let the grilled cheese sit before diving in as it will be very hot! Enjoy 🙂
Secrets for Success
- Slow and easy wins the race! Make sure you don't overheat the frying pan as this will result in a charred sandwich instead of one that is golden brown.
- Cut the basil into ribbons, see note in the recipe card.
Substitutions & Variations
- Many different types of cheese will work in this recipe. I happen to like sharp cheese because it is very flavourful but two another melting cheeses to consider are mozzarella and Monterey Jack.
- If you have sourdough bread on hand then go for it! Sourdough has a great a great tang that will compliment the cheese.
Frequently asked Questions
I have tried substituting mayonnaise for butter when making a grilled cheese. If I am honest, it's just not my thing. I enjoy the buttery goodness that only butter can offer. If you think using butter is too rich then maybe you'd like mayonnaise instead.
Olive oil could be substituted for butter. The bread will get crispy and golden on the outside and the overall flavour will be neutral.
I suppose this is a relative question depending on your eating habits and dietary requirements. Although a grilled cheese does have high amounts of saturated fat, it also has many other nutrients. If saturated fat is a concern to you, then substituting with olive oil will lower the amount of saturated fat and you will benefit from the monounsaturated fats from the olive oil. Also use unsalted butter if you want to reduce the sodium in this recipe.
Storage Instructions
- A grilled cheese does not store well and will become soft and soggy if refrigerated. Go ahead and eat this right away to best appreciate the crispy golden exterior of this sandwich 🙂
Easy Grilled Cheese with a Twist
- Total Time: 14
- Yield: 1 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crisp and buttery on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside are what a perfectly executed grilled cheese sandwich is all about.
Ingredients
2 slices of your favourite bread
2 slices (50g), mild or strong cheddar cheese
5 fresh basil leaves, cut into little ribbons (see note below)
1 tablespoon, room temperature salted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the bread. On your work surface lay both slices of bread. Spread half the butter on what will be the outside of your sandwich and do the same with the other slice of bread.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Next lay one slice of cheese onto the unbuttered side of the bread, add the fresh basil, lay the second piece of cheese on top of the basil and finally add the second slice of bread (buttered side facing out) on top of the cheese to form your sandwich.
- Preheat the frying pan. Over medium-low heat, preheat the frying pan for two minutes. Once the pan is preheated carefully add the sandwich and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Next flip the sandwich and cook the other side for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the pan.
- Serve. Once removed from the pan let the grilled cheese sit before cutting into it as it will be very hot! Enjoy.
Notes
To cut the basil into ribbons or to chiffonade the basil (which is a chopping technique), take the leaves and stack each leaf on top of the other leaf. Next roll the basil tightly on the long end into a log shape. Then slice through this log cutting as finely as you can. The benefit of using this type of cutting technique is that you are preserving the taste of the basil without unnecessarily bruising it.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 9
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Canadian
Keywords: grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup and grilled cheese, crispy grilled cheese
Vicky says
Hi! We tried this for dinner last night and it was delish! The basil added an amazing taste 🙂
★★★★★
Donna Poirier says
Thanks Vicky, this makes me so happy 🙂