Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups - Easy Recipe
🕒 Prep: 15 mins | 🍳 Skillet: 15 mins | 🍽️ Serves: 8
✨ Made in Dana’s kitchen for golden, crispy roll-ups with gooey cheese and a whole lotta garlic-bread goodness.
I’m a big fan of fun food, especially when it tastes as good as it looks. And since I love grilled cheese sandwiches in just about every form, these Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups are right up my alley. They’re crispy, buttery, cheesy, and made for dipping into creamy tomato soup. Serve them as a fun game-day appetizer alongside Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, or whenever you’re craving a grilled cheese with a little something extra, or whenever you’re craving a grilled cheese with a little something extra.
Ingredient Tips for Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Choosing the Bread
I like to cut the crusts off for a fun, neat little roll-up, but you can absolutely leave them on for a more rustic look.
My favorite bread for these is simple soft white sandwich bread because it flattens easily and rolls without fighting you. 😂 But use whatever bread you like. Just keep in mind that some breads are sturdier or less pliable than others and may crack or be harder to roll tightly.
Choosing Your Cheese
Who’s gonna tell you what kind of cheese to use in your cheese roll-ups? 😂 We all have our favorites.
If you want a good cheese pull, go with mozzarella or another cheese that melts well. Want that classic grilled cheese flavor? American will do the trick. If you like a little more punch, reach for sharp cheddar.
These days, you can have just about any cheese sliced right at the deli, which makes it easy to grab what you like. And if you’re like me and don’t always feel the need to follow the clean-and-tidy rule, shredded or roughly chopped cheese works just fine too. Use what you have!
Butter
I usually have unsalted butter on hand, but salted butter works perfectly here too. If you use salted butter, you can simply skip the extra salt in the garlic butter.
Tips for Making Crispy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Don't Overstuff the Roll-Ups
It’s tempting to load these up with cheese, but too much can make the bread split while you’re rolling or cooking. I find that two slices of cheese work perfectly, especially when you pair a gooey melting cheese with one that has a sharper flavor.
You can trim the cheese to fit the bread if you want a nice, tidy roll-up, or let a little hang over the edges. I actually love those crispy bits of grilled cheese that sneak out and get golden around the edges. 😂
No sliced cheese? No problem. Slice your cheese as thinly as you can, or if you're using shredded cheese, press it down a little so it stays put while you roll.
Cook Low and Slow
For the best golden-brown bread and melted cheese, I like using a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat. The lower heat gives the bread time to crisp and brown while the cheese melts instead of having the outside brown before the inside is gooey.
And don't forget to start seam-side down. That helps the bread seal as it cooks. If your roll-ups need a little extra help staying together, you can secure them with toothpicks while they get started. Just remember to remove them before serving.
Keep Them Warm Until Serving
If I'm making these ahead of serving time, I like to keep them warm in the oven on the warm setting. If your oven doesn't have one, use the lowest temperature available.
Then, right before serving, I'll turn the heat up for a few minutes to warm everything through and bring back that gooey, melted cheese we all love.
🧀 Pro-Tip for Cheese Roll-Ups
If you want an extra layer of garlic flavor baked right into the crust, sprinkle a tiny pinch of garlic powder or grated parmesan directly onto the pan right before placing the roll-up seam-side down!
To Dip or Not to Dip? That Is the Question 😂
I love serving these Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups with my creamy tomato soup. But here's my little trick: if I have leftover soup, I simmer it until it reaches my preferred thickness. Now that soup becomes a dip. Who knew?! 😂
You can serve the roll-ups whole or cut them into bite-size pieces for a party platter. And whatever you do, don't forget to brush a little extra garlic butter over them while they're warm. Can we talk about a flavor bomb?!
Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or dried finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Pinch of salt if needed
Roll-Ups
- 8 slices soft white sandwich bread
- 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking
Instructions
Prepare the Bread
- Remove the crusts from the bread slices.
- Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice of bread until thin and flexible.
Add the Cheese
- Place a slice of cheddar and a slice of mozzarella or provolone on each piece of flattened bread.
- Roll the bread tightly around the cheese, placing the seam side down.
- (If needed, gently press the seam to help it hold together.)
Make the Garlic Butter
- Mix softened butter, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese together until combined.
- Spread the garlic butter lightly over the outside of each roll-up.
Cook Until Golden
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add a little butter to the pan and place the roll-ups seam side down.
- Cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Finish and Serve
- Brush with a little extra garlic butter while warm and sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.
- Serve immediately with creamy tomato soup for dipping.
Notes
- Use soft sandwich bread for the easiest rolling.
- Do not overfill the roll-ups; too much cheese can cause them to burst before the bread crisps.
- A combination of cheddar and mozzarella gives you both flavor and that classic cheese pull.
- For a richer garlic bread flavor, add a final sprinkle of Parmesan after cooking.
Easy Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Up Variations
Want to switch things up? Here are a few easy ways to make these roll-ups your own:
Bacon Garlic Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Add finely crumbled cooked bacon before rolling.
Pizza Garlic Bread Roll-Ups
Add a little pepperoni and Italian seasoning with the cheese.
Caramelized Onion Roll-Ups
Add a small amount of caramelized onion for a sweet and savory twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make garlic bread grilled cheese roll-ups ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the roll-ups ahead of time and refrigerate them until you're ready to cook. If they've been chilled, give them a few extra minutes in the skillet so the cheese has time to melt.
For a party, you can also cook them ahead and keep them warm in a low oven until you're ready to serve.
Can I freeze grilled cheese roll-ups?
Yes. Let the cooked roll-ups cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you're ready to serve, reheat them in the oven until hot and crisp.
Can I reheat grilled cheese roll-ups in the oven?
Yes, and the oven is my preferred way to reheat them. It helps bring back some of that crispness without making the bread as soft as it can get in the microwave. If you're reheating them from frozen, there's no need to thaw them first; just allow extra time for them to heat through.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you love these Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups as much as I do, you might also want to try a few more of my favorite easy, flavorful comfort foods. Whether you're looking for something to dip, a fun sandwich, or another garlic-Parmesan favorite, these are all worth a spot on your list.
Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce
Perfect for dipping those crispy, cheesy roll-ups.
Bacon BLT Sandwich
Another classic, handheld sandwich that's always a good idea.
Garlic Parmesan Turkey Burgers
Juicy, flavorful burgers with that garlic-Parmesan combination we all love.
Hey good people, if you gave these Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups a try, please drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out!
What cheese did you use? Did you keep the crusts on, add some bacon, or come up with your own twist? I love hearing how y’all make these recipes your own, and your feedback can help other home cooks too.
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