Makes 4 sandwiches
1. Put the butter in a microwave-safe dish and microwave it in 10-second intervals until it is fully melted.
2. Brush the butter onto one side of each slice of bread. Sandwich the bread with 2 slices of cheese for each sandwich, with the buttered sides of the bread facing out.
3. Heat a large griddle or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sandwiches (you may need to cook the sandwiches in batches if your pan isn’t large enough).
4. Cook until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, then flip each sandwich and cook until the other side is browned, about 2 minutes more. Serve immediately.
Grilled cheese sandwiches can be customized however you like. With the number of cheeses and the variety of breads alone—not to mention added vegetables (or fruits!)—the variations are endless. Only make sure you are not using a hard cheese that won’t melt easily, like Parmesan or aged provolone. Added vegetables should be soft, like tomatoes, or precooked, like sautéed onions or spinach (a sliced crispy pickle would be fine).
Grilled Cheese with Apples: whole-grain bread + sharp cheddar cheese + Granny Smith apple slices
Sweet and Savory Grilled Cheese: sourdough bread + brie cheese + Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (recipe)
Italian-Style Grilled Cheese: mozzarella cheese + roasted red peppers + Pesto Sauce (recipe)
Pimiento Grilled Cheese: cheddar cheese + mustard + pimiento peppers