Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Name: Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 slices sandwich bread; 1 tablespoon butter (softened); 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder; 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese; 2 slices provolone cheese (or your favorite)

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Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwich is your solution for lunch or dinner any day of the week! Flavors of garlic butter and toasted Parmesan is an amazing addition to any grilled cheese sandwich. Stuff the sandwich with your most favorite cheese and you have the makings for this flavorful and outstanding grilled cheese sandwich.

Parmesan crusted grilled cheese cut in half on white round plate.

This post was originally posted on 4/2/2020 and updated on 1/19/2022.

Who doesn't love a classic grilled cheese sandwich? We love cheese, so grilled cheese sandwiches are consumed often in our house. Ooey, gooey and stretchy cheese with buttery toasted bread. Um, yes please!

Since we all love cheese in my household, I decided to amp up the classic sandwich to something more decadent and gourmet. Add some garlic butter and Parmesan cheese and you're in decadent overload. Exactly what this sandwich is all about, decadence! It may be decadent, but it is so easy.

Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese

Sliced Bread: Any type of bread will work. We typically use good ole whole wheat sandwich bread, but sourdough, rye, white or grain will all work.
Salted Butter: I like the extra salt the butter adds to the sandwich, but you can use unsalted butter, spreadable butter or a butter alternative. If you prefer your grilled cheese with mayonnaise, you can use that too.
Garlic Powder: This is an optional step, but it adds so much additional flavor to the sandwich. I recommend not skipping this!
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Shredded is the way to go with this sandwich because it creates the best crust. Grated parmesan will work but you won't get as crispy of a crust.
Sliced Cheese: Use your favorite cheese. I personally like to use provolone and muenster, but any good melting cheese is going to work.

Parmesan crusted grilled cheese cut in half with one half on top of other on plate in front of bowl of tomato soup.

How to make a Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Sprinkle the buttered side with garlic powder.
Gently press 2 tablespoons of shredded parmesan over each piece of garlic buttered bread.
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

Parmesan crusted grilled cheese ingredients.

Shredded parmesan on top of garlic buttered bread slices.

Place one slice of bread, butter and cheese side down in the skillet. Next, place both slices of your favorite cheese on top. Then, place other slice of bread on top of sliced cheese, butter and cheese side up.
Cook for 3-4 min until deep golden brown and the cheese inside has started to melt.
Flip the sandwich over and cook for 2-3 minutes until deep golden brown.
Remove from heat and pan. Let sit 1 minute.
Slice in half and serve.

Sandwich Variations:

Add some deli ham, salami or pepperoni slices in between mozzarella and cheddar cheese slices.
Place 2 thin slices of tomato and 2 pieces of crispy bacon between your favorite slices of cheese, pepper jack would be super yummy.
Add some leftover Crock Pot Chicken or rotisserie chicken, spinach leaves, and sun dried tomatoes between slices of gouda or fontina cheese.
Sauté sliced onions and mushrooms and add them between swiss and provolone cheese slices.
Place thinly sliced pickles and deli ham between slices of swiss cheese.

What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Sandwiches just aren't for lunch, you can have them anytime of the day, any day of the week! I'll make these sandwiches and pack them for my kids lunch as well. When we make these yummy sandwiches for dinner we love to pair them with soup. Here are some of our favorites:

Grilled cheese dunked in bowl of easy tomato soup.

FAQs About Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What sliced cheese is best for grilled cheese?

The best cheese is a good melting cheese. Anything from cheddar to American will work. As well as, swiss, mozzarella, gouda and Havarti cheeses.

Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?

Both mayo and butter create a nice golden brown and crisp exterior for your grilled cheese sandwich. Is one better than the other? That will depend on what you like better, butter or mayo?

What other cheese goes with parmesan?

Mozzarella is a common cheese paired with parmesan. Other cheeses that taste great with parmesan are pecorino, asiago, provolone and fontina.

Can you eat parmesan cheese in a sandwich?

Parmesan cheese is a dryer cheese and does not melt the best when inside a grilled sandwich. To add some nutty parmesan flavor add some shredded parmesan to the outside of a buttered sandwich and grill it to create a nice golden crust.

Side view of parmesan crusted grilled cheese cut in half showing melted cheese.

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