This Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup that takes two classics and turns them into one unforgettable sandwich. Crispy, buttery bread surrounds creamy macaroni and gooey melted cheese for the perfect bite every time. It's rich, indulgent, and incredibly satisfying without being complicated to make. If you love cheesy recipes, this one will quickly become a favorite.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Lunch / Dinner / Comfort Food
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 1 sandwich
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Creamy, cheesy, buttery, savory like our cheese bacon dip
- 🍚 Best Served With: Tomato soup, fries, salad
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Partially, but best served fresh
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This grilled mac and cheese sandwich is perfect when you're craving something cozy and satisfying with minimal effort. The combination of crispy bread and creamy filling creates an irresistible contrast in textures. It's a great way to use leftover macaroni and cheese or elevate a simple meal. Once you try it, you'll want to make it again and again.
This grilled mac and cheese sandwich was inspired by my provolone grilled cheese and air fryer mushroom grilled cheese on this site, and pairs well with this slow cooker tomato soup .
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ultimate comfort food: Combines two classics into one indulgent dish that's perfect for lunch or dinner
- Quick to make: Loaded with cheesy goodness it's ready in minutes
- Great use for leftovers: Perfect for leftover mac and cheese
- Perfect texture: Crispy outside and creamy inside
- Kid-friendly: Filling and comforting meal is loved by all ages
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to create this rich and delicious grilled mac and cheese sandwich.
- Thick-cut white bread: Provides structure and crisps beautifully when toasted
- Butter: Adds flavor and creates a golden, crispy crust
- Macaroni and cheese: The creamy, rich filling that makes this sandwich unique. This is one of the best leftover mac and cheese sandwich ideas you can make in minutes.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly and enhances the cheesy flavor
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: Add buffalo sauce and chicken
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese: Add hot BBQ sauce and leftover slow cooker pulled pork
- Garlic Butter Mac and Cheese: Mix garlic into the butter
- Bacon mac grilled cheese: Add crispy bacon for smoky flavor
- Veggie Mac and Cheese: Add sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers
- Extra Cheesy: Use extra excellent melting cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, pepper pack, colby jack, cheddar jack, gouda, and provolone
- Breakfast Mac and Cheese: Add scrambled eggs and bacon
- Spicy: Add sliced jalapenos, jalapeno hot sauce, avocado hot sauce or scotch bonnet hot sauce for heat
How to Make Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese
This grilled cheese mac n cheese is simple and quick. It uses just a few easy steps to create a crispy, cheesy sandwich.
Step 1: Make sandwich. Place the 2 slices of bread on a cutting board; spread 1 side of each slice with a tablespoon of butter.
Heat a dry small nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Place 1 slice of bread, butter side down, in the pan and top with a slice of cheddar cheese, the macaroni and cheese, and the other slice of cheese.
Step 2: Cook sandwich. Arrange the second slice of bread, butter side up, on top.
Cook the sandwich until golden brown underneath, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich using a flat spatula. Gently press down on the sandwich with that spatula to encourage even browning and help the cheese melt.
Cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
Once golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, remove from the heat and serve.
Tips for the Best Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese
- Don't overfill: Keeps sandwich manageable
- Flip carefully: Prevents spilling filling
- Use preheated pan over medium-low heat: Allows the bread to crisp and not burn while giving cheese time to melt fully
- Warm the mac and cheese first: Helps everything heat evenly inside the sandwich
- Butter edge to edge: Ensures a perfectly golden crust with no dry spots
- Use thick, sturdy bread: Prevents the sandwich from collapsing under the filling
- Add cheese on both sides: Acts like glue to hold the mac and cheese in place
- Press gently while cooking: Helps everything meld together without squeezing out filling
- Don't overload the sandwich: Keeps it easy to flip and evenly cooked
- Let rest 1-2 minutes after cooking: Helps the filling set for cleaner slicing
If you love recipes like this mac and cheese grilled, you may also enjoy garlic grilled cheese and air fryer pizza grilled cheese.
Storage Directions
This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored properly.
Refrigerator: Once cooled, store up to 2-3 days in airtight container.
Freezer: Freeze up to 1 month wrapped tightly. Keep in mind it may lose some of its crispy outer layer once thawed.
Reheat: Reheat in skillet or oven for best texture.
Make Ahead: Prepare mac ahead, assemble and make sandwich fresh.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with my grandma's tomato soup
- Pair with fries
- Serve with salad
- Enjoy with spicy pickles or your favorite
- Serve with potato chips or tortilla chips
- Pair with my grandma's coleslaw
- Serve with dipping sauces like our onion ketchup
- Serve as comforting breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner
Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese Recipe FAQs
Yes, leftover mac works perfectly and adds great flavor.
Your mac n cheese grilled cheese may turn soggy if you use too much filling or cook it on low heat, which prevents the bread from crisping properly.
Yes, it works perfectly.
Yes, bacon or chicken works well.
Add jalapenos or hot sauce.
Heat is too high-lower it so the inside melts properly.
Yes, try spinach, tomatoes, sautéed peppers, mushrooms and onions.
Use more butter or a mix of butter and mayo on the bread.
Use whole grain bread, light cheese, and reduced-fat mac.
Cheddar, American, mozzarella, or a blend all melt well.
Yes, but texture is best when fresh. Freeze tightly wrapped.
Yes, cook at 375°F for about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway.
Don't overfill and use cheese as a binder on both sides.
Thick-cut white bread, sourdough, or Texas toast works best.
More Grilled Cheese Recipes
If you love this grilled mac and cheese, here are more recipes you may enjoy.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick-cut white bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup prepared macaroni and cheese warm
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the 2 slices of bread on a cutting board; spread 1 side of each slice with a tablespoon of butter.
- Heat a dry small nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Place 1 slice of bread, butter side down, in the pan and top with a slice of cheddar cheese, the macaroni and cheese, and the other slice of cheese.
- Arrange the second slice of bread, butter side up, on top.
- Cook the sandwich until golden brown underneath, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich using a flat spatula. Gently press down on the sandwich with that spatula to encourage even browning and help the cheese melt.
- Cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
- Once golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted, remove from the heat and serve.
Notes
- Don't overfill: Keeps sandwich manageable
- Flip carefully: Prevents spilling filling
- Use preheated pan over medium-low heat: Allows the bread to crisp and not burn while giving cheese time to melt fully
- Warm the mac and cheese first: Helps everything heat evenly inside the sandwich
- Butter edge to edge: Ensures a perfectly golden crust with no dry spots
- Use thick, sturdy bread: Prevents the sandwich from collapsing under the filling
- Add cheese on both sides: Acts like glue to hold the mac and cheese in place
- Press gently while cooking: Helps everything meld together without squeezing out filling
- Don't overload the sandwich: Keeps it easy to flip and evenly cooked
- Let rest 1-2 minutes after cooking: Helps the filling set for cleaner slicing
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