Want to spice up your grilled cheese?! Give this Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese with Heirloom Tomato recipe a try! Fresh tomatoes are covered in melted havarti and cheddar cheeses, then nestled between crispy pieces of garlic bread for the ultimate sandwich.

two halves of garlic bread grilled cheese on top of each other in a hand

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If there was ever a time for grilled cheese sandwiches on the reg, it’s the year 2020. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been craving comfort food big time over the past few months.

I have especially enjoyed revisiting some old reliables, including pasta, ravioli, and other dishes that remind me of my childhood. Back when things were a little easier, ya know?

One of my favorite meals growing up was a classic grilled cheese! And now that I’m rediscovering all of the best comfort foods of yore, I figured I should make a fancy pants adult grilled cheese for all of you.

Of course, I included a veggie in there, by way of fresh heirloom tomatoes that many of you are probably seeing at the farmers market or harvesting from your backyard at the moment. I also upgraded the bread! Before throwing it on the griddle, I spread some homemade garlic butter on it.

Wait a second, whaaa?! Yep, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. This is a garlic bread grilled cheese, my friends! Talk about the ultimate comfort food for when the outside world is just too heavy and the last thing you want to do is make a complicated meal. I hope you enjoy this sandwich as much as I do!

cheese slices, bread, garlic cloves, tomato, and butter spread out on a counter

How to Make Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

Sure, the recipe name may sound fancy, but the process is incredibly easy. First, get the best bread you can find, like a loaf from your neighborhood bakery if you can swing it. Cut two thick slices. Next, use a fork to mash some minced garlic into room temp butter. Spread this delectable mixture on one side of each piece of bread. You can also use my Roasted Garlic Butter as the spread!

Heat up a skillet or griddle. Place one of the bread slices butter side down on the skillet. Add a piece of cheddar, a juicy tomato slice (or two), then a piece of havarti, and put the last bread slice butter side up on top. Cover the sandwich, and cook for a few minutes on each side until the cheese is melted. ENJOY!

an open-faced grilled cheese in a black skillet on a counter

grilled cheese sandwich cooking in a black skillet on top of a counter

Expert Tips

My favorite type of bread for garlic bread grilled cheese is sourdough. I am a millennial after all.
Wondering what is a good cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich? I like using sharp cheddar cheese, but recently I had a grilled cheese with havarti and now I’m hooked. In this recipe, I use both. Muenster is another good option.
For perfectly melted cheese and even cooking, cover the skillet while the sandwich is cooking. You can also just cover the sandwich directly if you are making it on a flat griddle instead.
The garlic butter can be made up to several days in advance. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to make your sandwich, and make some extra butter if you think you’ll make a few garlic grilled cheese sandwiches throughout the week. (You will.)
If you take my suggestion to get some loaves of bread from your local bakery, I also recommend investing in a good bread knife. I almost sliced my hand open too many times before I got one. Game changer!

garlic bread grilled cheese sliced in half on a white serving plate

Craving some more easy main dishes while you’re here? Check out the Spinach Basil Pesto Quesadillas, Ancho Chile Black Bean Sweet Potato Tacos, and One Pot Veggie Mac and Cheese.

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