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Home » Main Dish » 30-Minute Meals » Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By Lauren Allen on August 16, 2017, Updated August 9, 2019

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Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is my favorite twist to a traditional grilled cheese! Any dinner that’s ready in 15 minutes is my kind of easy weeknight meal!

Half of an Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich being pulled away from the other half.

So, I get asked all the time, “Do you really cook EVERY night?!” My answer is always “YES” but that doesn’t always mean its fancy! I’m sure most mom’s can relate when I admit that on some nights, come 6 o’clock I’m ready to throw on my pajamas, crash on the couch and never get up.

An Italian Grilled Cheese sandwich, cut in half, sitting on wax paper on a wooden board.

Those nights are what we call “Soup and Grilled Cheese” nights! We whip up a simple, yummy soup like this skinny tomato basil soup, or this easy tortellini soup and make these amazing Italian Grilled Cheese sandwiches to go with! BAM–dinner done in 30 minutes!

Three halves of an Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich stacked on one another.

 

The word “Italian” in these sandwiches makes them sound super impressive, I know 😉  — well….they’re not. haha. But, they’re the easiest thing in the world to make and they always, always satisfy! Spread a layer of your favorite marinara sauce on the inside slices of some thick, crusty artisan bread.

Good bread is the key to an awesome grilled cheese! Next, layer it with cheese, and grill it until the outside is crispy and the inside is melted.

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Italian Grilled Cheese

Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches is my favorite twist to a traditional grilled cheese! Any dinner that's ready in 15 minutes is my kind of easy weeknight meal!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 180kcal
Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients

  • 8 slices crusty artisan bread
  • 8 thin slices mozzarella cheese (or about 1/3 cup shredded)
  • 8 thin slices cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup marinara pasta sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 4 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves , chopped (optional)
  • butter (for spreading on bread)

Instructions

  • Spread butter on the "outside" pieces of bread that will touch the griddle when cooking. 
  • Spread marinara sauce on the inside pieces of the sandwich bread. 
  • Layer mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of the marinara sauce. Top with fresh basil, if using.
  • Place bread slices together to make a sandwich. Place sandwich on hot griddle or skillet and cook until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown and toasted. 
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Easy homemade marinara sauce: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015987-marinara-sauce

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 4.8mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2.7mg
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Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

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30-Minute Meals· Italian· Kid-friendly· Main Dish· Sandwiches and Wraps· Vegetarian
12 Comments

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Comments

  1. Queen Lambert says

    February 7, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Your site is awesome!!!!

    Reply
    • barbara armola says

      February 22, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      love it

      Reply
  2. TerriSue says

    May 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm

    I found your site today from My Recipe Magic. I am now enjoying myself going through your recipes. I had to laugh when I read about people questioning if you actually cook every night. I have been married for 35 years now. We became vegetarians 1 year into our married life. I have never used mixes or shortcuts except for I don’t make my own pasta. That is the only concession I have made for myself. My husband on rare occasions will take me out for dinner and very rarely we may call out for pizza though I usually make pizza at home. I would say that I have made at least 34 1/2 years of meals or more. I have loved it mostly. Of course there are times when I stand in the kitchen and think what am I going to fix tonight? I am excited to have some new recipes from you.

    Reply
  3. Diana says

    May 15, 2016 at 1:24 am

    This was just okay. Maybe better with tomato soup. My husband loved it. My son was “meh”. I had planned to serve it with leftover meatballs from the meatball sandwich recipe, but unbeknownst to me, my husband scarfed them all down for his lunch. (They were plenty delicious)
    So no meat for our supper, which made my boy unhappy.. I liked the marinara sauce touch. But I learned my lesson about not serving a meatless meal.

    Reply
    • AJ says

      March 28, 2019 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      Shut the up

      Reply
  4. Patti says

    July 15, 2017 at 9:24 pm

    5 stars
    Love, love loved these!

    Reply
  5. Padang says

    September 14, 2017 at 2:42 am

    5 stars
    It’s great recipe to make dinner. Quick & easy to cook..

    Your site & content is awesome..thanks for share Lauren

    Reply
  6. Kenzie says

    July 16, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    5 stars
    This has become a go-to for our family. These are quick, easy, and my kids love them. Especially helpful for a last minute dinner idea.

    Reply
  7. Rudy says

    November 25, 2018 at 6:18 pm

    Is there any way I can print your recipes ???

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      December 22, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      Hi Rudy,
      There is a “print” button at the top of the recipe post and at the top of the recipe card!

      Reply
  8. Madigan Cuneo says

    March 30, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    I came home and wanted a quick, delicious lunch to feed my sauce/pizza cravings and this hit the spot! Instead of a skillet, I put it in the oven on preheat 400 bc the bread I used was pretty thick and it also came out crispy and melted. I love how quick this recipe was and simple for people like me who don’t cook very often. I will definitely be making this delicious recipe again! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. National Homemade Soup Day | The Great Groceries Cart says:
    February 4, 2019 at 2:48 pm

    […] and hearty ingredients. Pair our recipe for Chicken Meatball Soup with a hearty sammy, like this Italian Grilled Cheese. Crafted with mozzarella, marinara sauce and fresh basil, this tasty combo will have you saying, […]

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos. Read More
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