Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Printer-Friendly)

Creamy macaroni and cheese nestled between golden, buttery slices of toasted bread for the ultimate comfort sandwich.

# What You Need:

→ Macaroni and Cheese

01 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sandwich

08 - 8 slices sourdough or sandwich bread
09 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1 cup prepared macaroni and cheese
11 - 4 slices cheddar or American cheese, optional

# Directions:

01 - Bring 2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly using a colander.
02 - In the same saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in the drained macaroni, 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir continuously until cheese is completely melted and sauce reaches a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to allow thickening.
03 - Lay out all 8 bread slices on a clean surface. Spread softened butter on one side of each slice. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, distribute approximately 1/4 cup macaroni and cheese each. Top with one slice of cheddar or American cheese if desired. Cover each with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
04 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan, working in batches if necessary. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side while gently pressing with a spatula, until bread is golden and crisp and cheese is melted throughout.
05 - Remove sandwiches from the skillet and allow to rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns leftovers into something exciting without any fancy technique or ingredients.
  • The contrast between crunchy toasted bread and silky mac and cheese is almost addictive.
  • You can throw it together in under half an hour, even on a weeknight when youre too tired to think.
  • Its the kind of comfort food that makes you feel like a kid again, but better.
02 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before you assemble or it will be too runny and slide right out of the sandwich when you flip it.
  • Dont skip buttering the bread all the way to the edges, thats what makes every bite crispy instead of just the middle.
  • Medium heat is your friend, too high and youll have burnt bread with cold mac and cheese inside, too low and it takes forever and the bread gets greasy.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, it holds heat evenly and gives you the crispiest crust without burning.
  • Press down gently with the spatula while cooking, but dont smash it flat or youll squeeze out all the cheese.
  • If youre making multiple sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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