Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy toasted bread filled with roasted broccoli, sharp cheddar, and melted goodness. A comforting vegetarian sandwich ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ Bread

06 - 4 slices hearty sandwich bread, such as sourdough or whole wheat

→ Other

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How-To Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Roasting the broccoli first adds a nutty sweetness that cuts through the rich cheddar
  • It turns a simple sandwich into something that feels like proper comfort food
02 -
  • Medium low heat is crucial because high heat will burn the bread before the cheese has time to melt
  • Pressing too hard while cooking will squeeze out all that good melted cheese
03 -
  • Don't crowd the broccoli on the baking sheet or it will steam instead of roast
  • Letting the sandwiches rest before slicing keeps the cheese from oozing out immediately
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