Save to Pinterest Rainy Sunday afternoons were made for sandwiches like this. I stumbled on the triple cheese combination completely by accident when I was scraping together whatever cheese I had in the fridge drawer. The way the mozzarella creates those incredible cheese strings while the sharp cheddar cuts through with that perfect tang changed my entire grilled cheese game forever.
My roommate walked in while I was flipping these sandwiches and immediately demanded one for herself. The smell of butter toasting with melting cheese fills the whole apartment and its basically impossible to resist. Now she asks me to make them whenever shes had a rough day at work.
Ingredients
- Thick sourdough bread: The sturdy texture holds up to all that cheese without getting soggy and develops the most beautiful golden crust
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings that bold punch that cuts through the richness of the other cheeses
- Provolone cheese: Adds a lovely mild creaminess and melts beautifully into the other layers
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Creates those irresistible cheese pulls and helps bind everything together
- Unsalted butter: Get it softened so it spreads evenly without tearing the bread
- Mayonnaise: Sounds weird but trust me it makes the exterior impossibly crispy
Instructions
- Prep your bread slices:
- Spread softened butter on one side of each slice going all the way to the edges then flip and add a thin layer of mayo if you want maximum crunch
- Build your cheese towers:
- Layer cheddar first then provolone then pile on that shredded mozzarella like you mean it
- Close em up tight:
- Top with the remaining slices butter side up and press down gently to help everything settle
- Get your pan ready:
- Heat that skillet over medium low you want steady heat not a raging fire that burns the bread before the cheese melts
- The patient flip:
- Cook 3 to 5 minutes per side pressing gently with your spatula until you hit deep golden brown perfection
- The most important minute:
- Let them rest on a cutting board for exactly one minute so the cheese sets up slightly then slice and watch the magic happen
Save to Pinterest These sandwiches have become my go to comfort food whenever life feels overwhelming. Something about cutting into that crispy bread and watching the cheese stretch out makes everything feel a little more manageable.
Cheese Combinations That Work
I have tried countless cheese combos and found that you always want one sharp cheese for flavor one melting cheese for texture and one wildcard. Gruyère and Swiss make amazing additions while pepper jack brings a nice kick if you like heat.
Bread Matters More Than You Think
The sourdough is crucial here because its structure stands up to the butter and heat without turning into a soggy mess. Regular sandwich bread often disintegrates before the cheese is fully melted.
Serving Ideas
A bowl of tomato soup is the classic pairing for a reason but these also work beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through all that richness. Sometimes I just eat them plain and honestly they are perfect on their own.
- Try adding thinly sliced tomatoes before grilling for moisture and acidity
- A smear of Dijon mustard inside takes these to restaurant level quality
- Cut on the diagonal because it just tastes better that way
Save to Pinterest Hope this recipe becomes your rainy day comfort too.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of bread works best for this melt?
Thick slices of sourdough are ideal, providing sturdy texture and a slightly tangy flavor that crisps well when cooked.
- → Can I substitute the cheeses used here?
Yes, you can swap cheddar, provolone, and mozzarella for cheeses like Swiss or Gruyère for different flavor profiles.
- → What does mayonnaise add to the cooking process?
Spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside helps achieve an extra crispy crust during skillet cooking.
- → How do I ensure the cheese melts evenly?
Cook over medium-low heat and press gently, allowing the cheese to melt slowly without burning the bread.
- → What are good accompaniments for this dish?
Tomato soup or a crisp green salad pair well, balancing the richness of the melty cheese sandwich.
- → Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes, using gluten-free sourdough bread will make the melt suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.