Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

By Kayla Hoang

Updated July 8, 2026

  • Ghazalle Badiozamani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Brett Regot.
Media 1 of 1
Ready In
20 min
Rating
4(32)
Comments
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Grilled cheese gets the garlic-bread treatment in this recipe that packs a flavorful punch with little effort. Barely-melted butter is flavored with grated garlic, parsley and Parmesan, spread on bread sandwiching a generous helping of mozzarella and cooked low and slow. The garlic in the butter gently cooks, lessening its sharp bite and preventing it from becoming bitter and the Parmesan melts and creates a nutty, frico-like crust over the bread that contrasts with the soft center. Don’t skip buttering both sides of the bread slices: It’s the key to getting the soft and buttery interior and crisp exterior that makes garlic bread so delicious.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 servings

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter (see Tip)

  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley), optional

  • 1 teaspoon grated garlic, from 1 to 2 cloves

  • 4 slices bread (about ½-inch thick), such as white or sourdough sandwich bread

  • ⅔ cup (3 ounces) low-moisture shredded mozzarella

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

30 grams carbs; 112 milligrams cholesterol; 590 calories; 11 grams monosaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 25 grams saturated fat; 41 grams fat; 1 gram trans fat; 2 grams fiber; 957 milligrams sodium; 25 grams protein; 3 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Microwave the butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl until partially melted, 10 to 15 seconds. (Alternatively, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the nonstick skillet you will cook the sandwiches in over medium heat. Pour the melted butter over the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small, heatproof bowl.) Add the Parmesan, parsley and grated garlic and stir to combine. The mixture should be spreadable, not liquid.  

  2. Step 2

    Spread an even layer of the garlic butter over both sides of 2 slices of bread (about ½ tablespoon per side).Place the slices in a large nonstick skillet and top them with an even layer of mozzarella (⅓ cup each). Butter both sides of the remaining 2 slices of bread and place those on  top of the mozzarella to create 2 sandwiches. 

  3. Step 3

    Place the skillet over medium-low heat and cook until the mozzarella is mostly melted and the underside is deep golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and continue to cook until the other side is deep golden and the cheese completely melted, 2 to 3 minutes more. Cut in half (if desired) and serve immediately.

Tip

  • The salted butter can be substituted for 4 tablespoons unsalted butter plus ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal).

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Ratings

4 out of 5
32 user ratings
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Comments

CarabellMI

I saw this recipe and couldn’t wait to make it, even though it’s later than I would usually make this kind of evening snack. Perfect! I cut it into fourths and shared it with the fam so I wouldn’t eat the whole thing. They loved it too!

Sabina

Mozzarella is kinda bland for a grilled cheese.

Permabulk

Real grilled cheese heads know to put mayo on the outside and butter on the inside

Carys

It’s pretty good, but I added some cheddar for extra flavour. I did find it a bit too greasy due to the amount of butter, so If I were to make it again I would use less.

Bougeotte

@Sabina Or any other recipe IMO. I'm thinking gruyere, fontina, provolone... my best grilled cheese is usually a mix of whatever needs finishing up.

Allison

Made my center with half mozzarella and half cotija cheese, loved it. Will definitely play with everything bagel instead of garlic and pepper jack and sharp cheddar too.

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