Go Back
one golden grilled-cheese sandwich on soft white bread cut into two triangular halves with smooth melted orange American cheese visible at the cut edges on an ordinary plate, with no other filling, soup or garnish
Rachel Kim

Classic American Grilled Cheese on White

American on soft white bread is the baseline I want before the fillings get ambitious. The cheese should melt all the way to the corners while the bread stays thin and crisp. Use deli American rather than a thick block sliced unevenly at home. Uneven cheese makes an uneven melt. Start with a gently heated pan and give each side time to color; turning up the burner because the first minute looks pale is how you get a dark crust wrapped around cheese that hasn't softened.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices soft white sandwich bread about 1/2 inch thick
  • 4 oz deli American cheese thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter softened

Method
 

  1. Spread butter thinly over one side of each bread slice, reaching the edges.
  2. Place 2 slices butter-side down and divide the American cheese evenly over them, folding slices only as needed to fit within the bread.
  3. Close with the remaining bread, butter-side out. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat for 2 minutes.
  4. Add both sandwiches and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the undersides are golden. Turn carefully and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more until the second sides are golden and the cheese is fully melted.
  5. Rest on a board for 1 minute, cut each sandwich diagonally and serve one per person.