Description
This recipe guides you through making the best grilled cheese sandwich with a delicious combination of sharp cheddar and crispy bacon, all melted between buttery challah bread slices. Perfectly grilled to achieve a golden, crispy exterior and gooey cheesy interior, this sandwich elevates the classic comfort food to a new level.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 8 slices challah bread (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick each)
Cheese
- 8 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese (or more, if desired)
- 1+ cup shredded cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)
Other Ingredients
- 4-6 tablespoons butter (for cooking and spreading)
- 8 slices cooked bacon
Instructions
- Slice the bread: Cut the challah loaf into 1/2 or 3/4 inch slices to get 8 slices total, enough for 4 sandwiches.
- Heat the skillet and butter: Heat about 2 tablespoons butter in a wide nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until melted, making sure the butter coats the pan evenly.
- Place bread in pan: Add 2 slices of challah bread into the skillet, buttered side down so each slice is well coated with butter on the bottom.
- Add cheese: Layer 2 thick slices of sharp cheddar cheese on one of the bread slices in the pan. You can add extra cheese based on your preference.
- Top with bread: Place the second slice of bread on top of the cheese, with the buttered side facing up.
- Add bacon: Lay 2 strips of cooked bacon evenly on top of the sandwich.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese: Generously sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese over the bacon layer.
- Flip sandwich and cook: Melt another 1/2 tablespoon butter in the pan off to the side. Carefully flip the sandwich over onto the melted butter so the bacon and cheese side is down. Cook on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is crispy and golden.
- Add more shredded cheese and flip again: Sprinkle 2 more tablespoons of shredded cheese on top of the sandwich, then carefully flip once more so the cheese is on the bottom. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until crispy and grilled to perfection.
- Repeat and keep warm: Repeat the process with the remaining bread, cheese, bacon, and butter to make all 4 sandwiches. Place finished sandwiches on a cooling rack inside a warm oven to keep the bottoms crispy until serving.
Notes
- Using challah bread adds a slightly sweet and rich flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory bacon and sharp cheddar.
- Cooking on medium-low heat ensures the cheese melts thoroughly without burning the bread.
- Keeping completed sandwiches in a warm oven on a cooling rack prevents sogginess by allowing air circulation underneath.
- You can vary the types of cheese to suit your taste, but sharp cheddar offers the best balance of flavor and meltiness.
- For easier flipping, use a wide spatula and melt extra butter on the pan edge for a smooth flip.
