Recipe

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This crave-worthy bacon grilled cheese sandwich comes together in minutes for a simple and fast school lunch!

Below, you'll find the best tricks to keep your bacon grilled cheese golden, crispy, and just as good at lunchtime as it was off the pan!

Easy Grilled Cheese with Bacon

A melty grilled cheese is already a win-but add bacon? Now we’re talking next-level! The best part? My microwave bacon hack means my teens can make this easy grilled cheese with bacon themselves while I sip my coffee. #Goals

And if you’re a bacon lover, I’ve got oodles of bacon-filled school lunch ideas, like a BLT bagel sandwich and turkey bacon wrap, that bring big flavor and pack easier than you think in a lunchbox.

What You Need

This gooey grilled cheese with bacon brings a few simple ingredients together for maximum flavor. Here's what you need:

Bread: sourdough is my go-to for that crispy crunch, but any sturdy bread works.
Cheese: cheddar melts beautifully and pairs great with bacon. Gouda or Monterey Jack are great swaps.
Bacon: for an epic salty crunch in every bite!
Butter (or spray): for grilling.

How to Make Bacon Grilled Cheese for School Lunch

Here's how to make sure your bacon grilled cheese turns out perfect every time:

Cook the bacon
Fry or bake until crispy, then drain on paper towels. If you're short on time, microwave the bacon for a quick and mess-free method.
Assemble the sandwich
Spread a thin layer of butter on the outside of each slice. This is what’s going to give you that perfect golden crust! Layer cheese, bacon, and another slice of cheese between the bread. A layer of cheese on both sides makes for the ultimate melty bite!
Grill it
Heat a skillet over medium-low and cook your sandwich until it’s golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. You can also air fry your grilled cheese for a crispy, hands-off version!
Pack it for school
Let the grilled cheese cool completely before packing it in a hard lunch container to avoid steam buildup. Keep healthy sides like fruit and veggies packed separately with an ice pack, if needed.

Keeping Grilled Cheese Fresh in the Lunchbox

Follow these simple tips to pack grilled sandwiches so they stay crispy and delicious until lunchtime rolls around:

Use the right container
Ziplocks may seem convenient, but a hard, sandwich-sized container is the best way to keep your grilled cheese from getting squished in a lunch bag.

Keep sides chilled
Don’t forget an ice pack to keep any fresh fruit or veggies crisp and fresh until lunchtime.

Add a dip
Dipping this grilled cheese in marinara or ranch makes this lunch even more epic! Make sure to pack dips in a small leak-proof container to avoid spills.

Let it cool
Packing a grilled cheese while it’s warm traps steam and makes the bread soggy. Let it cool down completely before packing!

More Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes

If you’re into this bacon grilled cheese, you’ll love a caprese grilled cheese or a creamy cranberry pear grilled cheese, both taste elevated but take almost no effort. You can also do a quick twist on today’s recipe by making a bacon apple grilled cheese. And this Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwich is always a win!

Bacon Grilled Cheese

Servings: 1 person

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

This crave-worthy bacon grilled cheese sandwich comes together in minutes for a simple and fast school lunch!

5 from 6 votes

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Ingredients

2 slices bread
2 slices cheddar cheese, sharp or mild
2 slices bacon
1 tablespoon butter, for grilling

Instructions

Assemble sandwich

Place a slice of cheddar cheese on each piece of bread, layer on the bacon, close and generously butter the outside of the sandwich.

Grill it

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Grill the sandwich slowly until the bread is golden brown, flip and continue grilling until the cheese is melty. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Pack it for lunch

Slice the cooled sandwich in half and pack it in a lunch container. Pack any sides like fruit or veggies in separate compartments to keep them fresh. Use an ice pack if needed.