Description
Ina Garten’s ultimate grilled cheese combines sharp cheddar and Gruyère on sourdough bread for a luxurious sandwich experience. Sharp ingredients and careful technique elevate this classic comfort dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon (Nodine’s applewood smoked)
- 1 loaf white pullman or sourdough bread, sliced ½ inch thick (12 slices)
- 6 oz (170 g) aged Gruyère or Comté cheese
- 6 oz (170 g) extra-sharp Cheddar (Cabot or Shelburne Farms)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 6 tbsps salted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Arrange bacon strips on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 200°C / 400°F for 20-30 minutes until crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Flavor Spread Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Parmesan, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well-combined.
- Bread Preparation: Arrange bread slices, coating one side with softened butter and the opposite side with the Parmesan mixture. Shred Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses, mixing them together for a rich blend.
- Sandwich Assembly: Place six bread slices mayonnaise-side up, distributing bacon pieces evenly. Sprinkle cheese mixture over bacon, then top with remaining bread slices, mayonnaise-side down.
- Cooking Process: Grill sandwiches in a panini press, griddle, or skillet, applying gentle pressure to ensure even browning. Cook for 3-5 minutes until bread turns golden and cheese melts completely.
- Serving: Rest sandwiches for 2 minutes to set the cheese. Slice diagonally and serve warm, showcasing the gooey, melted cheese and crispy bacon.
Notes
- Bacon Perfection Technique: Roasting bacon on a wire rack allows fat to drip away, creating ultra-crispy texture without soggy edges.
- Flavor-Boosting Spread Secret: Whisking mayonnaise with Parmesan and Dijon creates a tangy, umami-rich base that elevates the entire sandwich’s taste profile.
- Cheese Melting Mastery: Combining Gruyère and Cheddar ensures a complex, creamy melt with balanced sharpness and smooth consistency.
- Grilling Pro Tip: Applying gentle pressure during cooking helps achieve even golden-brown crust and ensures complete cheese melting for the ultimate gourmet grilled cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 755
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1,151 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg