Creamy Mushroom Grilled Cheese (Print version)

A rich sandwich featuring creamy sautéed mushrooms and melted cheese on crispy golden bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mushrooms

01 - 7 oz cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream

→ Sandwich

08 - 4 slices sourdough or country bread
09 - 4 slices Swiss or Gruyère cheese (3 oz)
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and moisture evaporates, about 6 to 8 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt and black pepper.
03 - Lower heat to low, add heavy cream, and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until mixture is creamy but not runny. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - Arrange bread slices on a work surface. Place a slice of cheese on two slices, evenly top with mushroom mixture, then add the second cheese slice. Cover with remaining bread slices.
05 - Spread softened butter on the outer sides of each sandwich to ensure crisp, golden crust.
06 - Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese melts.
07 - Remove sandwiches from heat, slice in half, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The mushrooms turn golden and sweet, losing that raw earthiness that can sometimes feel heavy.
  • Cream tames the mushroom intensity into something almost luxurious without being complicated.
  • It's ready in 25 minutes, which means you can satisfy a serious craving without the fuss.
02 -
  • Mushrooms release water as they cook, so don't cover the pan or crowd them; let them breathe and brown properly or they'll steam and taste bland.
  • Medium-low heat for grilling is not optional if you want melted cheese inside and golden bread outside; too hot and you'll get burnt exteriors with cold cheese centers.
03 -
  • Don't skip the thyme; even one teaspoon of dried thyme transforms the mushrooms from simple to sophisticated, and it costs almost nothing.
  • Use a spatula to press gently as the sandwich cooks, helping the heat conduct through to the cheese without crushing the bread.
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