Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich Recipe

The Ultimate Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich Recipe That Will Change Your Life! – Ever had one of those days when you’re craving comfort food that hits ALL the spots? Yeah, me too. And let me tell you — this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe is absolute culinary genius!

Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich

Lumina Liu

The ultimate comfort food fusion: creamy homemade macaroni and cheese sandwiched between buttery garlic bread slices and grilled to perfection. This indulgent Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich combines two classic American favorites into one irresistible meal that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

4.9 from 287 votes

Prep Time 30 Minutes

Cook Time 20 Minutes

Total Time 1 Hour 50 Minutes

Course Pasta

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 680 calories kcal

Ingredients

 

• 8 ounces (230 grams) macaroni
• 1/3 cup plain flour
• 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 6 tablespoons (85 grams) butter
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 pound (455 grams) Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 tablespoons (55 grams) butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 16 slices square bread
• 8 slices mild cheddar cheese
• 8 slices Colby Jack cheese
• 4 tablespoons (55 grams) butter for cooking

Instructions

 

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Nutrition

Calories: 680.00 caloriesFat: 48.00 gCarbohydrates: 45.00 gCholesterol: 125.00 mgFiber: 2.00 gProtein: 24.00 gSaturated Fat: 28.00 g

Keyword grilled mac and cheese sandwich, mac and cheese sandwich, cheese sandwich, pasta sandwich, comfort food, american sandwich, macaroni sandwich

Two comfort food classics colliding in the most delicious way possible. Trust me, once you try this mash-up masterpiece, regular grilled cheese will seem downright boring.

Why This Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich Recipe Is Worth Your Time

First off, can we just appreciate what’s happening here? We’re taking perfectly creamy mac and cheese, cooling it until firm, then sandwiching it between buttery garlic bread with TWO types of melted cheese. It’s comfort food inception!

The first time I made this, my roommates literally fought over the last sandwich. (Not exaggerating — there may have been fork-fencing involved.)

What makes this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe special is the attention to detail. The mac and cheese base is made from scratch with real cheese — none of that powdered stuff. And the garlic butter? Game. Changer.

Ingredient Breakdown: The Stars of Your Sandwich

Before we dive into the process, let’s talk ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for this epic Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe:

For the Mac and Cheese:

• 8 ounces macaroni pasta
• 1/3 cup plain flour
• 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice tolerance!)
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

For the Sandwich Assembly:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 16 slices square bread
• 8 slices mild cheddar cheese
• 8 slices Colby Jack cheese

The cheese trio is absolutely non-negotiable for the perfect Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich.

The Monterey Jack creates that stretchy, creamy mac and cheese base, while the cheddar and Colby Jack bring sharp flavor and extra meltiness to the sandwich itself.

Let’s Get Cooking: Mac and Cheese Magic

Making the mac and cheese base is where the real magic begins. Don’t rush this part — it’s the foundation of your Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich masterpiece!

1. Start by boiling that pasta in heavily salted water. And when I say heavily salted, I mean it should taste like the ocean! This is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
2. While the pasta cooks, whisk together your dry ingredients — the flour, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. This spice mix is what gives our mac and cheese dimension. Without it? Boring cheese pasta. With it? Flavor explosion!

The mustard powder is particularly crucial here — it enhances the cheese flavor without making things taste mustardy. (I was skeptical too until I tried it!)

1. Once the pasta is al dente (still has a bit of chew — nobody wants mushy mac!), drain it and set aside.
2. Now for the sauce! In the same pot (fewer dishes, you’re welcome), melt the butter and whisk in that flour mixture. This creates what fancy chefs call a “roux” — the thickening base for our cheese sauce.
3. Cook this mixture for about a minute until it smells nutty and looks slightly golden. This step eliminates that raw flour taste — don’t skip it!
4. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream. Slowly, people! Add it all at once and you’ll get lumps. Nobody wants lumpy cheese sauce in their Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich!
5. Once everything is silky smooth, remove from heat and start adding the Monterey Jack cheese bit by bit, stirring constantly. The residual heat will melt the cheese without risk of burning.
6. Fold in your cooked pasta and marvel at your creation. But wait! Don’t eat it yet (I know it’s tempting).

The Genius Step: Solidifying Your Mac and Cheese

Here’s where this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe gets truly innovative:

1. Line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.
2. Spread your mac and cheese evenly across the sheet. Cover with another piece of greased parchment paper (greased side DOWN).
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour until firm.

This cooling step is CRUCIAL — it transforms your mac and cheese from a scoopable dish into sandwich-ready slabs that won’t ooze out when grilling. Pure brilliance!

Sandwich Assembly: Building Your Masterpiece

Now comes the fun part — assembling your Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich creation!

1. Mix together 4 tablespoons of butter with a teaspoon of garlic powder. This garlic butter elevates these sandwiches from good to “are-you-kidding-me” amazing.
2. Cut your chilled mac and cheese into 8 equal portions. Each piece will become the heart of one sandwich.
3. Butter one side of each bread slice with that heavenly garlic butter.
4. For each sandwich, place a slice of bread buttered-side DOWN, then layer: one slice of cheddar, one portion of mac and cheese, one slice of Colby Jack, and finally another slice of bread, buttered-side UP.

Pro tip: When transferring the mac and cheese to the bread, slide your hand or a spatula underneath and flip it over. This prevents breakage and keeps your Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich intact!

Grilling to Golden Perfection

The final step in our Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich adventure is cooking these beauties to crispy, gooey perfection:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Don’t rush with high heat — patience yields perfectly melty interiors and golden exteriors.
2. Place your assembled sandwiches in the pan (don’t crowd them!).
3. Cover and cook for about 4 minutes until the bottom is beautifully browned.
4. Flip carefully (a wide spatula is your friend here) and cook another 4 minutes until the second side is golden and everything inside is hot and melty.

The covered cooking method is key for a successful Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich! It creates a mini oven environment that helps melt all that cheese while the bread gets toasty.

Make-Ahead Magic: Meal Prep These Beauties!

One thing I absolutely LOVE about this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe? You can prep ahead!

After cutting your chilled mac and cheese into portions, you can wrap each piece individually and refrigerate for up to 3 days or — wait for it — FREEZE them for up to a month!

This means you’re always just minutes away from grilled mac and cheese sandwich heaven. Late-night craving? Emergency comfort food needed? You’re covered!

Why This Works: The Science Behind the Deliciousness

There’s actual food science behind why this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe works so brilliantly:

1. The flour-based cheese sauce in the mac and cheese sets firmly when chilled, creating structural integrity for your sandwich.
2. Using multiple types of cheese creates complexity — the Monterey Jack in the mac is melty and mild, the cheddar adds sharpness, and the Colby Jack brings color and more melt factor.
3. The garlic butter does double duty — flavoring the bread AND creating that perfect golden crust.

It’s practically culinary engineering!

Variations to Try: Make It Your Own!

While this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe is perfect as-is, here are some fun variations to try:

• Add crispy bacon between the mac and cheese and the top cheese slice
• Spread a thin layer of caramelized onions on one bread slice
• Slip in some thinly sliced tomato for freshness
• Sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika into your garlic butter
• Try different bread varieties — sourdough makes an amazing base!

The possibilities are endless! What would you add to your ultimate Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich?

Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Comfort Food Experience

While these sandwiches are definitely hearty enough to stand alone, I love serving them with:

• Creamy tomato soup for dipping (classic combo for a reason!)
• A simple side salad with tangy vinaigrette (helps cut through the richness)
• Pickle spears (the acidity balances the creamy sandwich perfectly)
• Sweet potato fries with a spicy dipping sauce

Final Thoughts: Life’s Too Short for Boring Sandwiches

I’ve made a lot of recipes in my kitchen adventures, but this Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich recipe is one I come back to time and again. It’s impressive enough for friends but comforting enough for those days when you just need something delicious.

So go ahead — treat yourself to this incredible comfort food mash-up. Because life’s too short to choose between mac and cheese OR grilled cheese when you can have both!

Have you tried making a Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich before? Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions! I’d love to hear how this recipe works for you.