Save A decadent grilled cheese sandwich featuring savory roasted garlic, sautéed mushrooms, fresh thyme, and gooey melted cheese on crispy golden bread.
This recipe combines bold flavors with a comforting classic I have enjoyed making for family gatherings.
Ingredients
- Garlic: 1 head
- Mushrooms: 200 g (7 oz) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- Onion: 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Thyme: 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
- Gruyère cheese: 120 g (4 oz), grated
- Mozzarella cheese: 120 g (4 oz), grated
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp, softened
- Bread: 4 slices sourdough or country bread
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste set aside.
- Step 2:
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and any liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 3:
- Spread roasted garlic paste evenly onto one side of each bread slice.
- Step 4:
- Layer half the cheese mixture on two slices of bread (garlic side up), top with the mushroom mixture, then the remaining cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices, garlic side down.
- Step 5:
- Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich.
- Step 6:
- Heat a clean skillet over medium low. Grill sandwiches 3 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
- Step 7:
- Slice and serve hot.
Save My family always gathers around this sandwich on chilly evenings for a warm comforting meal together.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the mushrooms while sautéing. Swiss or Fontina cheese work well as substitutes. Serve with a simple green salad or tomato soup.
Required Tools
Oven, skillet, knife, cutting board, cheese grater, foil
Nutritional Information
Calories: 480 Total Fat: 27 g Carbohydrates: 38 g Protein: 21 g per serving
Save This sandwich brings together rich roasted garlic and melty cheese for the perfect cozy meal.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I roast garlic for this dish?
Slice the top off a garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 200°C for 25-30 minutes until soft. Then squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste.
- → What mushrooms work best here?
Cremini or button mushrooms are ideal as they sauté well and offer a mild, earthy flavor complementing the garlic and thyme.
- → Can I substitute the cheeses used?
Swiss or Fontina cheeses are excellent alternatives and melt smoothly, maintaining the sandwich's creamy texture.
- → How do I ensure the bread stays crispy?
Spread softened butter on the outside of the sandwich slices and grill over medium-low heat until golden and crisp on both sides.
- → What enhancements can I add while cooking the mushrooms?
A splash of balsamic vinegar brightens the mushrooms' flavor during sautéing, adding subtle acidity and depth.