Grilled Mac and Cheese
Occasionally, my kids will request a blue box of some classic mac and cheese – and of course, I’m always adding stuff to it and putting some spin on it. It’s nice when you need something easy, and then you’ve hopefully got some leftovers too! It turns out, leftover mac and cheese makes a darn good sandwich! These Grilled Mac and Cheese sandwiches were cheesy and nostalgic AF! They were so easy to make and such a crafty way to enhance some leftover mac and cheese!
This post may contain affiliate links
So, where did this idea for grilled mac and cheese sandwiches come from?
Many years ago, I went to a music festival where I came across a food truck called “Cheese Street.” There they had a variety of cheesy gourmet sandwiches to pick from, and one of them – “Mac Daddy” featured mac and cheese on it! Of course I had to get it, and it was phenomenal! I decided to make my own spin on their sandwich for my husband and I as a late-night snack. I shared it on social media, and it BLEW UP! So, by popular demand, I decided to make it a featured recipe.
There are other variations of this type of recipe out there too! And since grilled cheese sandwiches have been around since the 50’s, I’m sure you can imagine just how many customizations have been done to this classic comfort food.
Did you know?
The neon-orange color of the OG mac and cheese was originally a marketing trick! In the 1600’s, cheesemakers added a natural ingredient called “annatto” which made the cheese appear more rich in color. From then on, everybody associated yellow cheese with rich cheese!
Then in 1937, Kraft came out with their boxed mac and cheese featuring that same rich looking yellow cheese! It was marketed as a “family survival food,” stating that a family of 4 could be fed with just 19 cents. The very first year they launched, 8 million boxes were sold!
What ingredients do I need to make this?
For the grilled mac and cheese sandwiches:
Bread
Butter
Leftover Mac and Cheese
American Cheese Slices
Garlic Powder
Green Onion
For serving:
Green Onion
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
What equipment do I need?
How do I make it?
To prep the ingredients:
To get started on this recipe, first wash the green onion and thinly slice it. Next, butter all slices of bread on one side.
Pro Top: Make sure to use real butter that’s nice and soft! This makes it so much easier to spread! If it isn’t softened already, just microwave it for a couple seconds.
Next, grab your leftover mac and cheese from the fridge and zap it in the microwave briefly. This helps to loosen it a bit and ensures that it will be warm in the center of the sandwich, without burning the grilled cheese!
Pro Tip: Leftover mac and cheese is thicker and acts more “gluey” than if you used it fresh. It’s essentially the same idea that “day old rice” is better for fried rice. It really does work better!
To make the grilled mac and cheese:
In a large skillet on medium low heat, add two slices of bread – butter side down. Add a slice of cheese to each.
Once the cheese is starting to get melty, spoon some of the warmed leftover mac on top, using a spoon to smooth it out into an even layer. Sprinkle some green onion and garlic powder on each.
Add another slice of cheese to each, then top with another slice of bread – butter side up.
Once the bottom slices are golden and crispy, carefully flip and cook another minute or so until golden on both sides.
Flip again, cover, remove from heat, and set aside for a moment to melt that cheese throughout.
Repeat with remaining ingredients. This recipe makes 3 sandwiches!
To serve:
Wait a few minutes before slicing the grilled mac and cheese sandwiches, that way the insides can set. Slice them in half, if desired, and top with more green onions and freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Boxed mac, homemade mac, whatever you have will do! Just make sure it’s thick enough otherwise the sandwiches will fall apart!
- If you don’t have any leftover mac and cheese, just make some and then let it sit out for a while at room temperature, like 30 minutes or so will do. It will thicken and work just fine!
- American cheese slices act as a great glue, but you could use whatever type of sliced or shredded cheese you want! Just be mindful of the meltiness of whatever cheese you decide to use. All cheeses don’t melt the same!
Looking for more ways to revamp leftovers?
Want some more late-night snack ideas worth drooling over?
Grilled Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the grilled mac and cheese sandwiches:
- 6 Slices Wheat Bread
- 3 tbsp Butter softened
- 6 American Cheese Slices
- 1 ½ cups Leftover Mac and Cheese divided
- 3 tbsp Green Onion thinly sliced, divided
- ¾ tsp Garlic Powder divided
For serving:
- Green Onion thinly sliced
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions
To prep the ingredients:
- Wash the green onion, then thinly slice it.
- Butter all slices of bread on one side, about 1/2 tbsp per slice.
- Next, grab your leftover mac and cheese from the fridge and zap it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute. This helps to loosen it a bit and ensures that it will be warm in the center of the sandwich, without burning the grilled cheese!
To make the grilled mac and cheese:
- In a large skillet on medium-low heat, add two slices of bread – butter side down.
- Add a slice of cheese to each, and let it cook for a minute, till it starts to get melty.
- Spoon some of the warmed leftover mac on top, about 1/2 cup per sandwich, using the back of a spoon to smooth it out into an even layer.
- Sprinkle a tbsp of green onion, along with 1/4 tsp of garlic powder onto each.
- Add another slice of cheese, then top with another slice of bread – butter side up.
- Once the bottom slices are golden and crispy, 1-2 minutes, carefully flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until golden on both sides.
- Flip again, cover, remove from heat, and set aside for a moment to melt that cheese throughout.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
To serve:
- Wait 2-3 minutes before slicing the sandwiches, that way the insides can set.
- Slice them in half, if desired, and top with more green onions and freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide
Discover more from The Wholesome Spoon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
