Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Printable)

A decadent twist on a classic sandwich with creamy macaroni and cheese between golden, buttery toasted bread.

# What You’ll 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 Steps:

01 - Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - In the same saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add drained macaroni, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and 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 - Lay all bread slices on a clean work surface. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice.
04 - On the unbuttered side of 4 bread slices, distribute approximately 1/4 cup macaroni and cheese mixture. Top with a slice of cheddar or American cheese if desired. Place remaining bread slices on top with buttered sides facing outward.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, applying gentle pressure with a spatula, until bread is golden and crisp with melted cheese interior.
06 - Remove sandwiches from skillet and allow to rest 1 to 2 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It turns leftover mac and cheese into something people will actually get excited about.
  • The crispy, buttery edges give you that perfect crunch before you hit all the creamy pasta inside.
  • You can make it start to finish in about half an hour, even on a weeknight.
  • It feels indulgent without requiring any fancy ingredients or techniques.
02 -
  • If your mac and cheese is too loose, it will leak out everywhere, so let it cool and thicken before assembling or you'll have a mess in the pan.
  • Don't turn the heat up too high or the bread will burn before the inside gets warm, medium heat is your friend here.
  • Press the sandwiches gently but don't smash them flat, you want them compact but still fluffy inside.
03 -
  • Let the mac and cheese cool to room temperature before assembling, it spreads easier and stays inside the sandwich better.
  • Use a lid or another pan to press down on the sandwiches while they cook, it helps them hold together and get extra crispy.
  • If you're making a big batch, keep finished sandwiches warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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