This absolutely amazing Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven is always a hit in our house and we’re pretty sure you’re going to fall in love with it too! We’re talking three types of cheese along with some wholesome broccoli, all sandwiched between slices of thick, pillowy Challah bread. And the best part? It’s all baked to golden, gooey perfection in the oven, so you can kiss those skillet splatters goodbye!
But wait, it gets even better. This grilled cheese isn’t just for the kiddos—it’s a crowd-pleaser that’ll have adults lining up for seconds (and maybe thirds, too!). Serve it up solo for a satisfying meal, or pair it with your favorite soup for the ultimate comfort food combo.
Table of Contents
- The Secret to the Best Grilled Cheese
- Simple Ingredients & Easy Substitutions
- Skip the Skillet, and Make Grilled Cheese in the Oven Instead!
- Tips for the Perfect Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Options
- Common Questions About This Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven
- More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love
- Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven Recipe
The Secret to the Best Grilled Cheese
Who doesn’t love a sheet pan meal? They’re our go-to on busy nights, but do you know what makes them even better? When they’re used to make an elevated comfort food recipe!
Which is exactly what this broccoli grilled cheese in the oven does. A unique take on classic grilled cheese sandwiches, this version is a lifesaver.
Plus, it’s got broccoli! So, that means it’s automatically healthy, right?
There are countless reasons we are head over heels for this dish! So, we’ll just name a few.
This grilled cheese in the oven is:
- Made with minimal prep time.
- Created with a cook time of under 30 minutes.
- Customizable and a great option for feeding a crowd.
- A complete meal on its own and perfect for serving with soups, salads, and sides.
Simple Ingredients & Easy Substitutions
We kept the ingredient list for this broccoli grilled cheese in the oven simple, but feel free to experiment with substitutions and additions to satisfy your tastebuds!
- Bread – We love to use thick Challah bread, but choose whatever your family likes best! For a healthier option, try using whole-wheat bread instead of regular white bread.
- Broccoli – We recommend using fresh broccoli, but frozen will work, too. Just be sure that it is completely thawed first. Or, if you aren’t a fan of broccoli, try using cauliflower instead!
- Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is included in the filling for an extra creamy texture and a bold, tangy taste. Use a plain, full-fat variety for the best results!
- Cheese – We love to use a combination of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, but you can mix and match any flavors you like best. Use blocks of cheese, and shred them yourself
- Butter – Rich and creamy, butter gives your oven grilled cheese that crispy golden appearance and slightly crunchy texture you want. Feel free to use salted or unsalted butter, just be mindful of the salt content of the cheese you use. You don’t want your sandwiches ruined because of too much salt!
- Garlic – Use roasted garlic cloves to infuse a nutty, rich, slightly sweet taste into the sandwiches.
- Parsley – Fresh Italian parsley adds a pop of color and a refreshing taste that balances out some of the heaviness of the fats.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Use as much or as little as you like.
Skip the Skillet, and Make Grilled Cheese in the Oven Instead!
Once you master the art of making grilled cheese in the oven, there’s no turning back. Seriously, it’s a game-changer! Say goodbye to those skillet struggles and hello to the easiest, most hassle-free way to whip up multiple sandwiches at once—without breaking a sweat over a hot stove.
- Slice the Bread. Use a sharp knife to slice the bread into thick pieces.
- Create the Sandwich Filling. Add the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a large bowl, and mix until smooth. Then, fold in the broccoli.
- Whisk. In a separate bowl, whisk the butter parsley, roasted garlic, and salt.
- Coat the Bread. Spread part of the butter mixture on one side of each bread piece.
- Stuff. Spread part of the broccoli filling on the plain side of one piece of bread. Then, layer a second piece on top, leaving the buttered side exposed. Repeat with all of the bread slices.
- Bake. Arrange the broccoli grilled cheese sandwiches in a single layer on a greased baking sheet, leaving space in between each piece. Bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is nice and toasted.
Tips for the Perfect Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven
These sandwiches are super simple to make, but we do have a few tips to make it even easier!
- Keep an Eye on the Oven. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of bread and cheese you use. So, be sure to keep an eye on your sandwiches while they’re baking to ensure they don’t burn!
- Use An Extra Large Sheet Pan. Trust us, your guests are going to want seconds. So, use an extra large sheet pan to make up to 12 sandwiches at a time!
- Roast the Garlic. Roasting garlic is easy to do and not only makes it easier to digest but also completely changes the flavor, giving it a boost of caramelization that makes this recipe absolutely drool-worthy!
Serving Suggestions
While this broccoli grilled cheese in the oven is undoubtedly delicious all on its own, it’s also a fantastic companion to your favorite main courses. Here are a few mouthwatering pairings to take your meal to the next level:
Storage Options
This broccoli grilled cheese is best served right away while it’s still warm. However, if you want to prepare in advance or have extras left over, they can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to three to four days.
Then, just warm them in the microwave or oven when you’re ready to eat! Just be careful not to let the bread burn.
Common Questions About This Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven
We love Monterey Jack and cheddar with a bit of tangy cream cheese, but nearly any flavor of cheese will work with this recipe! However, for the best results, we recommend grating it yourself for the best ooey-gooey texture.
The key is to pat your cooked broccoli really dry before adding it to your sandwich and make sure it’s chopped into small pieces. Using butter on the outside of your bread also helps create that perfect crispy exterior!
Challah is an absolute champion for this sandwich since it gets super crispy and has enough structure to hold up to the cheese and broccoli. A hearty whole grain bread or sourdough both work wonderfully too!
A smear of whole-grain mustard adds an amazing zip, while garlic aioli takes it to a gourmet level! You can also add a dash of hot sauce or a spread of pesto for extra flavor excitement.
More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love
When it comes to quick and comforting meals, you can never go wrong with sandwiches. If you’re in the mood for something different or want to explore more delicious options, here are some tasty alternatives to try:
- Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak
- Spanakopita Grilled Cheese
- Slow Cooker Po’ Boy
- Turkey Caprese Sandwiches
Broccoli Grilled Cheese in the Oven
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Challah bread sliced
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese freshly shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh broccoli florets chopped
- 4 Tablespoons butter room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons flat-leaf Italian parsley chopped
- 3 cloves roasted garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking sheet, and set it aside.
- Slice the Challah into ½-inch slices. (Feel free to slice them thicker, if desired.)1 loaf Challah bread
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, Monterrey Jack cheese, Cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper, and mix until smooth.8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, Salt to taste, Black pepper to taste
- Fold in the broccoli, coating it completely with the cream cheese mixture.1 cup fresh broccoli florets
- In a separate bowl, combine the butter, Italian parsley, roasted garlic, salt, and pepper.Salt to taste, 4 Tablespoons butter, 2 Tablespoons flat-leaf Italian parsley, 3 cloves roasted garlic, Black pepper to taste
- Spread 2 teaspoons of the butter mixture on one side of each piece of bread.
- Layer 2-3 tablespoons of the broccoli cheese filling on the other side. Top it with a second piece of bread, leaving the buttered side exposed to create a sandwich.
- Repeat until all the bread has been used.
- Arrange the sandwiches in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space in between.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is nice and toasted.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Video
Equipment
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Nutrition
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We tried this and it was really good. I used more broccoli and added a little bit of cream cheese. My daughter is a broccoli lover and enjoyed it so much. Will definitely make this again. Greetings from Germany!!!
Amazing! So glad this your daughter loved it! <3
Instructions in video are totally different from the recipe??
Thanks for catching this! We have updated the recipe card. It’s on our to-do list to update the rest of the post ASAP!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa