Grilled cheese sandwiches just got easier this summer, thanks to meal prepping. With freezer grilled cheese, you can prep now and eat later. Fast, convenient, and just as delicious as fresh!
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Did you know that you can meal prep grilled cheese sandwiches? It's true! And they turn out fabulously too. We've been meal prepping a lot lately, especially sandwiches because they're so fast and easy.
Made with sliced cheese, butter, and bread, these Freezer Grilled Cheese sandwiches are exactly what you're looking for, but with the simplicity and speed we need.
This prep today, cook tomorrow method has seriously been helpful to us and our busy schedules. When we're not in the mood for cheese, we opt for Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.
If you love grilled cheese sandwiches, then you may also love our Rainbow Grilled Cheese and Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's so convenient! As someone who works from home, having a quick and effortless lunch option is fantastic. It saves time and allows me to get back to work promptly, especially during the summer months. When the kids are home, I opt for Baked Grilled Cheese since I can cook several at once.
- It's great for older cheeses. We aren't a household that eats cheese at every meal, and we often find packs of sliced cheese going moldy from aging before we can eat it. By prepping freezer grilled cheese sandwiches in advance, the cheese doesn't spoil, so we're saving money by NOT wasting food anymore. This is a great tip for Meal Planning on a Tight Budget.
- It tastes just as great as fresh. If you didn't know that this recipe was frozen prior to being cooked, I doubt you'd even notice. The chewy, crunchy texture is exactly what you know and expect from a grilled cheese, and the cheese is perfectly melty too.
🛒 Ingredients
Cheddar Cheese- You can use any sliced cheese desired, but we like our grilled cheese sandwiches with cheddar cheese or Muenster cheese.
Sandwich bread- Using sliced sandwich bread is preferred because it's evenly sized and thin, making it a lot easier to cook later.
Butter- Use some softened butter to make the bread golden and crispy when cooked later.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Different Cheeses: You can use any sliced cheese or bread for this recipe, so feel free to make them unique or keep them as simple as you want.
Mayo Variation: I have not tried to spread mayo on the outside of the bread, so if you like your grilled cheese with mayo instead of butter, let me know how it turns out.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand bread and cheese. Name brands aren't necessary. Store-brand sandwich bread and sliced cheese melt beautifully and save money without sacrificing taste.
Buy cheese in bulk or on sale. Blocks of cheese are often cheaper per ounce than pre-sliced or shredded. Slice it yourself to stretch your dollar further.
Repurpose stale bread. Slightly dry or day-old bread toasts perfectly in grilled cheese, so don't toss it out.
🥄 Instructions for Freezer Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Spread some softened butter on one side of the bread.
Step 2: Place the bread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, butter side down.
Step 3: Top with one slice of cheese. Note you can double the cheese, but heating it up may take longer.
Step 4: Place another piece of buttered bread over the top of the cheese, the butter side facing up.
Step 5: Freeze on the baking sheet for 2 hours or until solid. Transfer to an airtight container or gallon-sized baggie. They can remain frozen for up to 2 months.
Step 6: When ready to eat, place one frozen sandwich on a microwave-safe plate.
Step 7: Heat in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Step 8: Place onto a preheated skillet over medium heat and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until toasted to your liking.
Step 9: Repeat until all the sandwiches you want have been cooked.
Serve warm and enjoy!
📖 Variations - Cooking Methods
We've experimented with different ways to cook these sandwiches, and they're all fantastic!
Microwave: Fastest method; thaw 15-30 seconds, then toast on skillet. Microwave helps prevent cold centers.
Oven: Preheat oven to 450°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Lay frozen sandwiches on sheet, cook 5 mins, flip, cook 3-5 mins.
Air Fryer: Place frozen sandwiches in basket. Cook at 360°F for 8 mins, flipping halfway through for browning.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- No thawing needed. Thawing the sandwiches beforehand isn't necessary, but it's an option. To thaw in the fridge, simply place individually bagged frozen grilled cheese in the fridge overnight or for at least 4 hours before cooking.
- If cooking from frozen, a brief stint in the microwave can hasten the process, but it's not obligatory. I prefer using the skillet to avoid cold centers, but I've noticed no difference with the air fryer or oven method, as they cook more evenly and for longer durations, ensuring the sandwiches are fully cooked upon completion.
❄️ Storage
Storage: Store frozen grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze sandwiches on a baking sheet until solid before transferring to prevent them from sticking or getting squished.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Grilled cheese sandwiches pair wonderfully with soups like tomato, broccoli cheddar, or potato for a classic comfort meal. I like to serve them alongside egg drop soup for a super frugal meal.
For something lighter, fresh fruit, veggies, and salad can also be a great pairing option!
- Roasted Tomato and Garlic SoupRecipe $3.36 / Serving $0.84
- Egg Drop SoupRecipe: $1.54 | Per Serving: $0.77
- Iceberg SaladRecipe $5.00 / Serving $0.83
- Strawberry Cottage Cheese SaladRecipe $7.61 / Serving $0.63
❓ Freezer Grilled Cheese FAQs
Yes! If you can separate slices of frozen bread, make this recipe as directed, simply using the frozen bread. You may find it even easier to spread butter since the bread is solid.
Yes, freezing grilled cheese sandwiches is very simple and easy. Perfect for meal prepping! Place sandwiches in a single layer in a freezer-friendly bag, and freeze for up to 6 weeks. Use a sheet pan for stability.
If using a skillet for cooking your sandwich, cooking it at medium heat works best because too low of heat, and you'll be waiting forever for the cheese to melt and the bread to crisp, but too high of heat and you'll burn the sandwich before the cheese can melt.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Air Fryer Club SandwichRecipe $2.36
- Air Fryer Turkey SandwichRecipe $1.67
- Party Sub RecipeRecipe $5.61 / Serving $0.70
- Spicy Tuna SandwichRecipe $3.23 / Serving $0.81
🐝 If you tried this Freezer Grilled Cheese, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Freezer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened - ($0.50)
- 12 slices sandwich bread - ($0.72)
- 6 slices cheddar cheese - ($1.11)
Instructions
- Assemble sandwiches. Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice. Place 6 slices butter-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top each with a slice of cheese, then cover with remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
- Freeze. Freeze sandwiches on the baking sheet for about 2 hours, until solid. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months.
- Microwave thaw. Place one frozen sandwich on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for about 15 seconds.
- Toast. Transfer to a preheated skillet over medium heat and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden and melty.
- Serve. Serve warm. Repeat with remaining sandwiches as needed.
Notes
- Cheese Options. Any sliced cheese works, including American, Colby Jack, or mozzarella.
- Butter Swap. Mayonnaise can be used on the outside of the bread instead of butter.
- Cooking Methods. Microwave briefly to thaw, then skillet-toast. Oven at 450°F for 5 minutes per side. Air fryer at 360°F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Thawing Tip. Microwave thawing helps prevent cold centers, especially when cooking from frozen.
- Storage. Freeze individually first, then store in an airtight container up to 2 months.
Nutritional Information
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