Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches For A Crowd Recipes

AWESOME GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Butter one side of 9 slices of bread, and place butter-side down on a baking sheet. Arrange cheese on each slice of bread. Spread butter on 9 remaining slices of bread, and place them buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the sandwiches, and bake an additional 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

OVEN GRILLED CHEESE FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Position oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle position; heat oven to 475°.
• Brush each side of the bread slices lightly with the melted butter and spread them out in a single layer over two baking sheets.
• Toast the bread in the oven to a light golden brown, 10-15 minutes, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through the baking time.
• Assemble eight sandwiches, each filled with 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, making sure that the more toasted-looking sides of the bread are facing outward.
• Lay the sandwiches on a baking sheet and press lightly on each of them.
• Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil and bake until the cheese is thoroughly melted, 5-10 minutes.
• Make ahead--the bread can be toasted, wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, and kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours in advance.

GIANT GRILLED CHEESE FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• Put 1 baking sheet on the center rack of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Slice 1/4-inch of the crust off the top and bottom of the loaf of bread. Split the loaf evenly in half, horizontally. Cut a piece of parchment paper large enough to accommodate both halves of bread and put both the top and the bottom on the parchment, cut-side up so the inside of the loaf is visible.
• Scoop about a 1/4-inch of the soft middle of the loaf out. Spread the mayonnaise evenly on the crustless top of each half, then flip them over so the mayonnaise-side is face down on the parchment.
• Evenly distribute the 3 cheeses between the 2 bread halves. Use the parchment to transfer your grilled cheese to the preheated baking sheet, using a spatula if the bread is sticking, then remove and discard the parchment. Bake until the crust is golden brown and crunchy and the cheese is melted, about 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately sandwich the 2 halves with the cheese in the middle. Let rest about 10 minutes. Slice and serve while hot.

THE PERFECT GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Oven method (great for a crowd of six or fewer): Put a rimmed baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Make one sandwich per person: Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat. Place on the preheated baking sheet and cook until the cheese starts to melt, about 5 minutes. Flip the sandwich and bake until golden brown, an additional 5 minutes.
• Panini press method (for crispy crunchy sandwich that needs minimal attention): Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Preheat a panini press to medium heat. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat and place in the press. Close the top and cook until lightly browned and the cheese is melted, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Skillet method (fool-proof and low-tech): Sandwich 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread. Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat. Spread or brush the outside of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon of fat and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwich, and continue cooking until browned and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Great combos:
• 1. Pepper jack and sourdough, brushed with chili oil
• 2. American and white bread, brushed with butter
• 3. Swiss and rye, brushed with mayo
• 4. Cheddar and brioche, brushed with butter