Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of roasting whole heads?

While fresh roasted garlic provides the best flavor with its caramelized sweetness, you can substitute by sautéing pre-minced garlic in a bit of butter until golden (about 1-2 tablespoons). The flavor profile will be different but still delicious.

How do I prevent my sandwich from getting soggy?

The key is cooking over medium-low heat and ensuring your bread slices aren't too thin. The butter creates a barrier that actually helps crisp the bread rather than making it soggy. If your bread is particularly soft, you can lightly toast it before assembling.

What can I do with leftover garlic butter?

This garlic butter is liquid gold! Spread it on regular toast, toss with pasta, melt over steamed vegetables, or use for making more grilled cheese sandwiches. It keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week or can be frozen.

Can I make this sandwich without a stovetop?

Absolutely! You can make this in a panini press, countertop grill, or even in the oven. For the oven method, assemble as directed, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 425°F for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Recipe

Description

A perfect indulgent treat, this garlic bread grilled cheese combines the rich flavors of roasted garlic and buttery herbs with the ooey-gooey goodness of melted fontina cheese. The sourdough bread creates a crispy golden crust while the roasted garlic butter elevates the flavor profile to deliciously bold and hearty. Perfect for a cozy lunch or comforting dinner, this recipe will satisfy your cravings with each bite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For Roasted Garlic Butter

2 whole heads of garlic
Olive oil for drizzling
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or rosemary)
Kosher salt, to taste

For the Grilled Cheese

4 slices sourdough bread
6 ounces fontina cheese, freshly grated

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Garlic for Roasting
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice off the top portion of each garlic head to expose the cloves. Rub lightly to remove excess paper, keeping the cloves intact. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over each garlic bulb, then wrap them tightly in foil.
Roast the Garlic
Place the wrapped garlic bulbs on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack. Roast for 45–60 minutes or until the cloves are soft, caramelized, and golden in color. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly for handling.
Make the Roasted Garlic Butter
Once the roasted garlic has cooled, squeeze the softened cloves into a bowl. Add the butter, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a pinch of kosher salt. Mash everything together with a fork until fully combined and smooth.
Prepare the Bread
Spread the roasted garlic butter evenly over the outside of each slice of sourdough bread. Be generous to ensure crispy, flavorful edges.
Assemble and Cook the Sandwich
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place two slices of the sourdough bread, butter-side down, into the skillet. Top each with freshly grated fontina cheese. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, butter-side up.
Cook slowly over medium-low heat, allowing the cheese to melt evenly. Once the bottom side of the sandwich turns golden and crispy, carefully flip and toast the other side until equally golden.
Serve and Garnish
Remove the grilled cheese from the skillet and let it rest for a minute. Optionally, sprinkle with additional grated parmesan and fresh herbs. Slice each sandwich diagonally and serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Notes

Roasted garlic can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use it to make this garlic butter or add it to other dishes for a flavor boost.
Fontina cheese melts beautifully, but you can substitute with mozzarella, gruyère, or gouda for a slightly different flavor.
For additional crunch, try sprinkling a little extra grated parmesan on the outsides of the bread before toasting.
If your roasted garlic butter mixture feels too firm, soften it further by letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before spreading.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 550
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 23g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 85mg