Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This Grilled Cheese Garlic Bread is the ultimate gooey cheesy indulgent sandwich that will keep you coming back for more. Packed with flavor and done in minutes, it’s comfort food at its best!
If you are looking for some great options for easy dinner recipes, then this garlic bread grilled cheese recipe is for you!
This is not your ordinary grilled cheese sandwich from your childhood with white bread and American cheese. This is something special and memorable, that feels totally gourmet, and it’s one of those easy recipes you’ll come back to again and again!
It combines some of my favorite flavors to create the most delicious sandwich. Melty gooey gourmet cheese, crispy garlic bread, sweet French onions for an extra pop of flavor, all take this classic grilled cheese to the next level!
Whether you’re using a regular baguette spread with garlic spread, or a premade cheesy garlic bread, the garlic toast is really what puts this sandwich on the map! Pair it with your favorite tomato soup or french onion soup for a light dinner or easy lunch.
This really is the ultimate garlic bread grilled cheese – you’ll never go back to a regular grilled cheese sandwich after trying this recipe!
👩🏽🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Uses a simple homemade garlic bread!
- Ooey-gooey melted cheese!
- Caramelized French onions
- Fancy grilled cheese recipe!
- Healthier than a typical grilled cheese
- Kid friendly recipe!
- Quick and Easy Recipe
🥘 Ingredients
Fresh Garlic: Create a homemade garlic butter with minced garlic, garlic powder, and softened butter.
French Bread: Cut baguette on the diagonal to get long thin slices of bread. The best bread to use is either a pre-made garlic bread (in which case you won’t need to make the garlic butter), or a crusty baguette that holds up well when grilled. For a healthier version, try using a whole wheat bread like Dave’s Killer Bread.
Cheese: You can use any kind of cheese you prefer or have in your fridge. I went with a sharp cheddar cheese, but mozzarella, parmesan, pepper jack, colby jack, goat cheese, or anything else you like would work nicely in these grilled cheese garlic bread sandwiches.
Red Onions: To create the caramelized red onions you’ll need thinly slice 3 red onions, combined with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a little bit of vegetable broth.
🍽 Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Food Processor (to make garlic butter)
📖 Variations
- Garlic Naan Grilled Cheese: Instead of regular bread, try using garlic naan spread with garlic butter! Grill in a panini press instead of in a large nonstick skillet. You won’t be disappointed!
- Grilled Cheese With Frozen Garlic Bread: To save time, use frozen garlic bread or texas toast! Cook the garlic bread according to package instructions, then assemble your garlic grilled cheese and cook in a panini press or grill pan.
- Add A Different Filling: Instead of caramelized onions, try slices of tomato or sauteed baby spinach!
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the onions. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until transparent and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add stock and let it simmer until it completely disappears. Pour wine and let it reduce. Remove from heat.
Prepare garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine 5 tsp of room temperature butter with one clove of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread ½ tsp of the garlic butter on the side of each bread slice.
Step 2: Assemble the garlic bread grilled cheese sandwich. Top a slice of bread with around ¼ cup french onion and ¼ cup cheddar cheese. You can also use a combination of fresh parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese if you prefer.
Step 3: Cover with another slice of buttered bread. Repeat the process to create 4 sandwiches.
Step 4: In a large skillet over medium-low heat melt the remaining 1 tsp of butter. Add the thyme sprigs and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Place the buttered side of the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
❓Recipe FAQs
Will kids enjoy this easy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese?
My kids are crazy for grilled cheese sandwiches, and this one is no exception. I know some kids can be picky about onions. My kiddos barely noticed the onions because when they’re caramelized they become so sweet and delicious and lose their pungent flavor.
If your kids aren’t into onions, you can leave them off their sandwiches and just go for the garlic bread and cheese!
What is the best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwiches?
This recipe calls for cheddar cheese. You can go for a sharp cheddar or medium cheddar depending on your preference. I prefer the sharp cheddar as it holds its own with onions and garlic bread.
Other great cheeses to use include provolone, Monterey Jack, Colby, or even Munster. All have distinct flavors, but the real key to a great grilled cheese is to use a cheese that melts well to create that gooey stringy goodness when you pull the two halves apart!
How do you make garlic butter from scratch?
Step 1: Bring butter to room temperature by placing stick of butter on your counter.
Step 2: When butter has come to room temperature add it to your food processor along with 5 cloves of minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 3 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley.
Step 3: Process until all ingredients are combined.
Are grilled cheese sandwiches healthy?
Typically, they aren’t! Grilled cheese sandwiches are more of an indulgence you should enjoy in moderation. But there are a few swaps you can make to create a healthier grilled cheese sandwich.
1) Use less butter and less cheese: this reduces the overall fat and calories in your sandwich!
2) Use whole grain bread: A wheat bread or sprouted wheat bread will reduce the refined carbs and increase the fiber in your sandwich
3) Add veggies: You can always stuff your grilled cheese with a few veggies or serve some veggies on the side to make this recipe healthier!
👪 How to Serve
This grilled cheese with garlic bread needs a light side. Try some of these suggestions:
- Cesar Salad
- Mixed green salad with light vinaigrette
- Steamed veggies such as broccoli
- Freshly sliced veggie sticks
- With marinara sauce or tomato soup for dipping
💭 Expert Tips
- Prepare your garlic butter before assembling grilled cheese.
- Prepare the onions in your large skillet, then transfer to a bowl. Wipe clean with a paper towel, and then use the same skillet to prepare the grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Be sure pan is preheated to medium-high heat before adding grilled cheeses.
- To make gluten free, just use a store-bought gluten free bread! Or make your own gluten free bread!
- Serve with a side of veggies for a complete and healthy meal.
🥪 More Indulgent Sandwich Recipes!
- Grilled Cheese With Pickles
- Vegan Reuben
- Gourmet Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich
- Sourdough Grilled Cheese
- Veggie Shawarma Recipe
LOVE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
📋 Recipe Card
Gooey Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese with French Onions is the ultimate gooey cheesy indulgent sandwich with a healthy twist. Packed with flavor and done in minutes, it's comfort food at its best!
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 406.4kcal
Ingredients
French Onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 3 onions (red or white) sliced
For the Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices whole grain bread
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Garlic Butter
- 5 tsp butter
- 1 clove garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the onions. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until transparent and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add stock and let it simmer until it completely disappears. Pour wine and let it reduce. Remove from heat.
- Prepare garlic butter. Combine 5 tsp of room temperature butter with one clove of minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the garlic bread grilled cheese sandwich. Top a slice of whole grain bread with around ¼ cup french onion and ¼ cup cheddar cheese. Cover with another slice of bread. Spread ½ tsp of garlic butter on the outer layer of both slices of bread (you'll use 1 tsp per sandwich). Repeat the process to create 4 sandwiches.
- In a large skillet over medium heat melt the remaining 1 tsp of butter. Add the thyme sprigs and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Notes
Top Tips for Making Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
- Prepare your garlic butter before assembling grilled cheese.
- Prepare the onions in your large skillet, then transfer to a bowl. Wipe clean with a paper towel, and then use the same skillet to prepare the grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Be sure pan is preheated to medium-high heat before adding grilled cheeses.
- To make gluten free, just use a gluten free bread!
- Serve with a side of veggies for a complete and healthy meal.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 406.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.5g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 20.4g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 52.5mg | Sodium: 782.6mg | Potassium: 381.4mg | Fiber: 6.5g | Sugar: 6.6g
This is the most flavourful and indulgent grilled cheese sandwich ever – I could eat this over and over again!
Aw yay thanks so much! So glad you liked it!
This is my ultimate comfort food! I’m going to give this a try very soon.
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe Beth!
Bread, cheese, onion… this is one tasty dish! Have to say that I’d reach for the ones in your picture… delicious!
Totally!! I’m sure you will love this when you try it!
Delicious and definitely every bite would be bursting with flavors. Looks crispy and cheesy and perfect snack option too.
Yes!! This is great for a snack, for lunch or dinner!
this was easy, quick and very delicious !
Yay! Glad you liked it Claudia!
Well this is my kind of recipe. It has bread and cheese. With the addition of onions…this is over the top delicious.
Haha exactly!! You really can’t go wrong with these ingredients!
The kids have been helping me in the kitchen since we’ve all been home. Its been fun to try new recipes. I was excited to see that the kids picked your recipe to try! The best part is the loved it.
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that Cindy!
What a super flavorful grilled cheese sandwich! Definitely more grown up and soooo good!
Yess!! It’s like grilled cheese taken to a whole new level!
Holey moley this sounds incredible! The French onions are everything.
For real – caramelized onions are my fav!
Now this is my kind of grilled cheese! Genius! 🙂
Totally!! It’s so good!