Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy bread with melted sharp cheddar and caramelized roasted broccoli florets

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 (approximately 3.5 ounces)

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Roasted broccoli gets sweet and crispy, not mushy, so it actually tastes like something worth eating.
  • Sharp cheddar cuts through the richness with just enough tang to keep things interesting.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 35 minutes, which means lunch or dinner when you're tired of overthinking.
02 -
  • Don't skip the roasting step and just steam the broccoli, because steamed broccoli tastes sad and watery, while roasted broccoli tastes like it actually wants to be eaten.
  • Medium-low heat on the skillet is your friend, because high heat burns the outside of the bread before the cheese even thinks about melting inside.
03 -
  • Prep your ingredients before you start cooking, because once that broccoli comes out of the oven and you're assembling the sandwich, you want butter and cheese ready to go immediately.
  • If your bread is cold from the refrigerator, let it sit out for a few minutes so the butter spreads easily without tearing the slices.
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