Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Printable)

Creamy macaroni and cheese nestled between golden, buttery slices of toasted bread—comfort food at its finest.

# 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 Assembly

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

# How To Make It:

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 in a colander.
02 - In the same saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add drained macaroni, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce reaches a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly for thickening.
03 - Arrange 8 bread slices on a clean work surface. Spread 4 tablespoons softened butter on one side of each slice, ensuring even coverage.
04 - On the unbuttered side of 4 bread slices, distribute approximately 1/4 cup macaroni and cheese per slice. Add one optional slice of cheddar or American cheese if desired. Top each with remaining bread slices, positioned with buttered sides facing outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan, working in batches as necessary. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, gently pressing with a spatula, until bread achieves golden-brown crispness and cheese melts throughout.
06 - Transfer sandwiches from skillet to a serving plate. Allow to rest for 1 to 2 minutes before slicing. Serve while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms plain leftovers into something that feels like a special occasion without any extra effort.
  • The crispy, buttery bread gives way to creamy, melted cheese in a way that hits every texture craving at once.
  • You can make it start to finish in half an hour, which means comfort food doesnt have to be an all day project.
  • It works for lunch, dinner, or that weird time when youre too hungry to wait but too lazy to cook something complicated.
02 -
  • If you skip the resting time after cooking, the mac and cheese will ooze out everywhere and youll end up with a mess instead of a sandwich.
  • Medium heat is crucial because too high and the bread burns before the inside gets hot, too low and it takes forever and the bread gets greasy.
  • Let the mac and cheese cool slightly before assembling or it will make the bread soggy and the whole thing will fall apart in the pan.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat evenly and gives you the most consistent golden crust.
  • Press the sandwich gently with the spatula while it cooks to help everything meld together, but do not smash it flat or you will squeeze out all the filling.
  • 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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