How long does it take to make Pan-Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

Spread a thin layer of soft butter on the outside of both slices, heat a skillet over medium-low heat, grill 3–4 minutes until the bottom is golden, flip gently and grill about 3 more minutes; a lid on the first side helps the cheese melt all the way.

13 minTotal

7 minActive time

6 minSetting

Step by Step

#	What to do	How long
1	Spread the butter on the outside of slice the bread	1 min
2	Place the yellow cheese on half of slice the bread and cover each one with another slice, buttered side out	1 min
3	Heat a heavy pan over medium heat	3 min
4	Grill the sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side	5 min
5	Cut on the diagonal	3 min

How to Tell It's Done

until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese has melted completely

Tips

The butter goes on the outside, the side that meets the pan: it's what gives the bread its golden, crisp crust.

Common Mistakes

Medium heat, not high: the bread browns at the same pace the cheese melts, while over high heat it burns outside before the cheese inside melts.

More Ways

Quesadilla: grated cheese on a tortilla in a skillet over a medium flame, so the tortilla browns without burning; when the bottom is golden, flip carefully, grill about 1 more minute and cut into triangles.

The full recipe: Pan-Grilled Cheese Sandwich →