This Million Dollar Grilled Cheese takes a classic comfort food and turns it into an indulgent, restaurant-worthy sandwich. The bread toasts to a deep golden brown with a rich, crispy exterior while a layer of melted cheddar forms a delicious crust in the pan. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of crunch and creamy melted cheese.
Inside, a luxurious filling of cream cheese, smoky bacon, and fresh scallions melts together with tangy sharp cheddar and stretchy American cheese. The result is a decadent grilled cheese packed with bold flavor, gooey texture, and irresistible richness that makes it feel truly over-the-top.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic, grated, divided
- 8 slices hearty white bread (about 1 ounce each)
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 4)
- 3/4 cup chopped cooked bacon (from about 8 slices)
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 slices processed American cheese
Directions
- Prepare the garlic mayo: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and half of the grated garlic until well combined.
- Coat the bread: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the garlic mayonnaise evenly over one side of each slice of bread. Set aside with the coated side facing up.
- Make the creamy filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sliced scallions, chopped bacon, 1½ cups of the shredded Cheddar cheese, and the remaining grated garlic. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly onto the uncoated side of 4 slices of bread (about a heaping ½ cup per slice). Layer two slices of American cheese over the filling on each sandwich, overlapping if necessary. Top with the remaining slices of bread, mayonnaise side facing outward.
- Create the cheese crust: Sprinkle about 6 tablespoons of shredded Cheddar directly into the bottom of a nonstick skillet, spreading it into an even layer.
- Cook the first side: Place one assembled sandwich on top of the Cheddar layer. Cook over medium-low heat without moving it until the Cheddar on the bottom becomes browned and crispy, about 4–6 minutes.
- Flip and finish cooking: Carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side until the mayonnaise-coated bread is golden brown and crisp, about 2–3 minutes.
- Rest the sandwich: Transfer the grilled cheese to a wire rack set over a baking sheet with the crispy Cheddar side facing up.
- Repeat: Repeat the process with the remaining sandwiches and Cheddar cheese.
- Serve: Slice each sandwich diagonally in half and serve warm while the cheese is melted and gooey.