This simple Grilled Cheese with Onions is a quick and easy breakfast sandwich made with melted cheese, and fresh onions. Sprinkled with cracked black pepper, a pinch of salt, layered between hot buttered slices of crispy bread, and pan-fried to perfection!
More Bread Recipes To Try
Salami Egg And Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Savory French Toast
Garlic Crostini
I’ve been making this humble Cheese and Onion Toastie since I can’t remember. I recall loving cheese and onion-flavored potato chips as a kid, and I still do. The appeal of this simple combination will never go out of style, at least not in my home.
These days I like to spruce up my toasted cheese sandwiches with slightly more sophisticated ingredients like scallions, green chile, or red pepper flakes, but I always go back to the original.
Table of Contents
IngredienTs for Cheese and Onion Melt
The main ingredients of this grilled cheese onion recipe are self-explanatory, but here are a few ideas for swapouts:
Bread: I’m partial to white, brown, and whole wheat bread, but feel free to use your personal favorite. I recommend thicker slices, for a sandwich that holds its shape.
Butter: Olive oil would work as well, but you’d lose out on the browned buttery flavor. Margarine is a good substitution, if that’s what you have.
Cheese: I’ve always used sweet milk, cheddar, or a cheddar-mozzarella mix, but any cheese that melts well is okay to use in this recipe.
Onion: I know caramelized onions are the more popular choice when it comes to grilled cheese- making, but I’m not too fond of it. In this recipe, I use a freshly sliced regular onion (white, yellow, or brown).
Salt: Just a pinch, to bring out the sweetness of the onion. If your cheese of choice is salty, you can skip the added salt.
Black pepper: Sometimes I use freshly ground black pepper, fine black pepper, or even white pepper powder. All of these are acceptable switchouts in this recipe.
How to make an Onion and Cheese Melt Sandwich
Unsurprisingly, grilled cheese toasties are easy to prepare and fry, with no special skills needed. Here are the steps I follow:
Step 1: Prepare the Cheese and Onions
Shred or slice the cheese, and slice or chop the onions.
Step 2: Fry in a Non-Stick Skillet
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Place both slices of bread in the buttered skillet, and let them brown slowly.
In the meantime, load one of the slices with the cheese and onions, salt, and black pepper.
(Optional) Partially cover the skillet with a lid, to help the cheese melt completely, and fry until the bread is browned to your liking.
Step 3: Assemble, Fry, and Serve
When the cheese has melted, place the second slice on the top to close the sandwich, and press down firmly with a spatula.
Flip the sandwich if necessary, pressing down again, and let it brown to your preference.
Remove the sandwich, slice, and serve.
Fried Cheese and Onion Sandwich Recipe Tips
Use cheese that melts easily for the best version of this toasted sandwich. Any cheese that stretches when melted is the right kind.
Resist the urge to fry the onions. Trust me, you won’t miss the caramelized onions on this sandwich.
Be generous with the cheese and onions. Scant amounts of these two main ingredients won’t do it justice.
Check the saltiness of your choice of cheese, before adding any more salt.
Don’t forget the salt and black pepper – they do make a difference to the overall flavor. On occasion, I’ve forgotten to season my grilled sandwich, and after the first bite, I’d pry it open to add the salt and pepper because it just isn’t the same without seasoning.
Storing a Toasted Cheese and Onion Sandwich
If you have any leftovers to store, I suggest wrapping them up tightly in foil, sandwich, wax, or baking paper, and placing them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
When you’re ready to reheat your sandwich, I find the air fryer, or stovetop method to be the best. I would avoid microwaving any type of sandwich because it’ll likely turn out limp, soggy, and unappetizing.
If you’re a fan of no-fuss pan-fried sandwiches or if you love quick and easy snacks, this Cheddar and Onion Grilled Sandwich is a great option. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Grilled Cheese And Onion Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 2-4 slices cheese, OR
- 5 Tbsp shredded cheese
- ½ small onion sliced or chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shred or slice the cheese, and slice or chop the onions.
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Place both slices of bread in the buttered skillet, and let them brown slowly.
- Load one of the slices with the cheese and onions, salt, and black pepper.
- (Optional) Partially cover the skillet with a lid, to help the cheese melt completely, and fry until the bread is browned to your liking.
- When the cheese has melted, place the second slice on the top to close the sandwich, and press down firmly with a spatula.
- Flip the sandwich if necessary, pressing down again, and let it brown to your preference.
- Remove the sandwich, slice, and serve.
