Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Crispy grilled cheese with roasted broccoli and sharp cheddar melted between golden toasted bread. Vegetarian comfort food.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 cup broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Pinch of salt
04 - Pinch of black pepper

→ Cheese

05 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

→ Bread

06 - 4 slices hearty sandwich bread

→ Other

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F
02 - Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized
03 - While the broccoli roasts, grate the sharp cheddar cheese
04 - Butter one side of each bread slice evenly
05 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on a work surface. Top each with half of the cheddar, then an even layer of roasted broccoli, and then the remaining cheddar. Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up
06 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat
07 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted
08 - Remove from skillet, let rest 1 minute, then slice and serve warm

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The roasted broccoli gets crispy edges that contrast beautifully with the gooey melted cheddar.
  • It feels indulgent but sneaks in a serving of vegetables without any lecture.
  • Everything comes together in about half an hour with ingredients you likely already have.
  • The golden, buttery crust shatters perfectly when you bite in.
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time after roasting the broccoli or it will steam the bread and make it soggy.
  • Medium low heat is key, if the pan is too hot the bread burns before the cheese melts.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
03 -
  • Press down gently with your spatula while grilling to help the cheese melt into every layer without squishing out the filling.
  • If your skillet is big enough, cook both sandwiches at once to keep them equally hot and crispy.
  • Leftover roasted broccoli works beautifully in this recipe, just reheat it slightly before assembling.
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