Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy grilled cheese loaded with roasted broccoli florets and sharp cheddar. A vegetarian comfort sandwich ready in under 35 minutes.

# 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 such as sourdough or whole wheat

→ Other

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
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 cheddar cheese.
04 - Butter one side of each bread slice.
05 - Once broccoli is roasted, assemble the sandwiches by placing 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted broccoli gets sweet and nutty in the oven, adding depth that regular grilled cheese never had
  • That crunch of golden bread against tender florets creates texture that keeps every bite interesting
  • It takes a classic comfort food and makes it feel like a real meal without any extra effort
02 -
  • Medium low heat is your friend here because high heat burns the bread before the cheese has time to melt properly
  • Do not overload the broccoli or the sandwiches will not close properly and you will lose half the filling while cooking
  • The resting step seems pointless but skipping it means molten cheese everywhere instead of neatly inside your sandwich
03 -
  • Grate the cheese from a block instead of buying pre shredded because the texture and melting quality are noticeably better
  • Butter the bread completely to the edges to prevent any dry spots and ensure every bite has that perfect crispy exterior
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