Ingredients
- Bread: 8-10 slices of soft white sandwich bread (crusts removed). The softer and fresher the bread, the easier it will be to flatten and roll without tearing. Wonder Bread or similar generic white bread works exceptionally well due to its pliability. Whole wheat can be used, but ensure it’s a soft variety.
- Cheese: 8-10 slices of your favorite melting cheese. Classic choices include:
- Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp, tangy flavor. Medium or sharp cheddar works beautifully.
- American Cheese: The ultimate melter, offering a creamy, classic grilled cheese taste.
- Monterey Jack: Mild, buttery, and melts exceptionally well.
- Colby Jack: A delightful swirl of Colby and Monterey Jack, offering mild flavor and great meltability.
- Provolone: Offers a slightly more complex, mild, and smoky flavor with excellent stretch.
- You can also use shredded cheese, but slices tend to be neater for rolling. If using shredded, don’t overfill.
- Butter: 4-5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature or melted. Salted butter can also be used; if so, you might want to omit any additional salt when seasoning. The butter is crucial for achieving that golden-brown, crispy exterior.
- Optional Seasonings (for the butter or cheese):
- Garlic Powder: 1/4 teaspoon mixed into the softened butter adds a lovely aromatic touch.
- Paprika: A pinch on the cheese before rolling can add a hint of color and smoky flavor.
- Dried Italian Herbs: A small sprinkle over the cheese can add a Mediterranean flair.
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread:
- Carefully cut off the crusts from each slice of bread using a sharp knife. Removing the crusts makes the bread much easier to flatten and roll, and results in a more tender roll-up.
- Place one slice of crustless bread on a clean, flat surface. Using a rolling pin, firmly but gently roll the bread as thinly as possible, almost like a tortilla. Aim for a thickness of about 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Roll in multiple directions to ensure it’s evenly flattened. Repeat with all slices of bread. This step is crucial; if the bread isn’t thin enough, it will be difficult to roll tightly and may unroll during cooking.
- Add the Cheese:
- Take one slice of your chosen cheese. If your cheese slices are the same size as the bread, you might want to trim them slightly so they don’t extend beyond the edges of the flattened bread once rolled. This helps prevent excessive cheese leakage during cooking.
- Place the cheese slice (or a neat line of shredded cheese) along one edge of the flattened bread, leaving a small border (about 1/4 inch) on the sides. If using optional seasonings like paprika or herbs, sprinkle them over the cheese now.
- Roll ‘Em Up:
- Starting from the edge with the cheese, tightly roll the bread up into a compact cylinder. The tighter the roll, the better it will hold its shape. The moisture from the bread and the pressure should help it seal, but if it seems to be unrolling, you can pinch the seam gently or place it seam-down while you prepare the others.
- Butter the Rolls (Two Methods):
- Method 1 (Brush with Melted Butter): Melt the butter in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the entire exterior of each roll-up with melted butter. This ensures an even coating.
- Method 2 (Spread Softened Butter): If using softened butter, gently spread a thin, even layer over the entire surface of each roll-up. This can be a bit more delicate but works just as well.
- Grill to Perfection:
- Heat a large non-stick skillet, griddle, or frying pan over medium-low to medium heat. It’s important not to have the heat too high, as the bread can burn before the cheese has a chance to melt thoroughly.
- Carefully place the buttered roll-ups seam-side down in the preheated skillet. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the temperature and result in less crispy roll-ups.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes on the first side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Using tongs, carefully turn the roll-ups to cook on another side. Continue to cook and turn, approximately 1-2 minutes per “side,” until all sides are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is fully melted and gooey. This usually takes a total of 5-8 minutes. You’ll notice some cheese might start to ooze out – this is perfectly fine and often creates delicious, crispy cheese bits on the outside!
- Serve Immediately:
- Once cooked, remove the Grilled Cheese Roll Ups from the skillet and place them on a serving plate.
- It’s best to serve them immediately while they are hot, the bread is crispy, and the cheese is at its meltiest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 350-450