Americas Test Kitchen Grilled Cheese Recipes

CLASSIC AMERICAN GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the griddle to medium heat.
• Build the sandwiches with 1 slice of white cheese on 4 pieces of bread and 1 slice of yellow cheese on the other 4 slices of bread. Close the sandwiches and butter both sides. Place on the griddle; cover with a metal bowl and let the sandwiches get a nice golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, cover again and cook until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

SHEET-PAN GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Position rimmed baking sheet on a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 450°F. Spread about 1 1/2 tsp. mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Arrange 6 slices, mayo side down, on second inverted rimmed baking sheet. Mound 1/2 cup cheese in the center of each slice, season with salt and pepper, and top each with remaining bread slices, mayo side up.
• Using oven mitts, carefully remove preheated baking sheet from oven and place, rimmed side up, on top of sandwiches, then, holding both rimmed baking sheets together, return to oven. Bake until bread is browned and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove baking sheets from oven and transfer sandwiches to a cutting board. Cut into pieces and serve.

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Arrange bread in a single layer on a clean work surface. Stir together butter and mayonnaise. Spread mixture evenly onto one side of every slice (1 scant tablespoon per slice).
• Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium. Flip over bread on work surface (so it's plain-side up). Place 1 1/2 slices American cheese on 4 slices, and 1/4 cup cheddar on remaining 4 slices. Carefully sandwich together.
• Place sandwiches in skillet (in two batches, if needed). Reduce heat to medium-low; gently top sandwiches with a lid slightly smaller than skillet for even cooking. Cook, flipping once halfway through, until crisp and golden on both sides and cheese is melted, 7 to 9 minutes. Serve immediately.

ADULT GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Process cheddar, Brie, and wine in food processor until smooth paste is formed, 20 to 30 seconds. Add shallot and pulse to combine, 3 to 5 pulses. Combine butter and mustard in small bowl.
• 2. Working on parchment paper-lined counter, spread mustard butter evenly over 1 side of slices of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and spread cheese mixture evenly over slices. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered sides up.
• 3. Preheat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. (Droplets of water should just sizzle when flicked onto pan.) Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; reduce heat to medium-low; and cook until both sides are crispy and golden brown, 6 to 9 minutes per side, moving sandwiches to ensure even browning. Remove sandwiches from skillet and let stand for 2 minutes before serving. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches.
• 4. (Cooked sandwiches can be held on a wire rack on a baking sheet in a 250˚F oven while the second round cooks.)