Recipe

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Creamy and slightly tangy, this provolone grilled cheese has an epic melt you won't forget!

Below, you’ll learn how to make a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth provolone grilled cheese that tastes amazing and holds up in a lunchbox if you want to pack it for school.

two halves of a melty provolone grilled cheese sandwich

Is Provolone Good for Grilled Cheese?

Yes! Like, clear-your-schedule-and-make-another-one yes. Provolone has a creamy and slightly sharp flavor that will make you wonder why you haven't been using it all along! Plus, it melts like a dream, giving you that irresistible cheese pull.

Just like this provolone grilled cheese, it doesn't take much to upgrade a classic-try different cheeses like I did with my Gouda version, or throw in taco night leftovers for a quick, next-level taco grilled cheese (my son’s favorite!).

Ingredients

It doesn’t get any easier than three ingredients! Here’s what they are:

Provolone Cheese: choose mild instead of aged to get that ultimate gooey stretchy cheese pull!
Bread: I recommend choosing something hearty like sourdough or Italian, that will hold up well to grilling and give you that crispy, golden crunch.
Butter: for grilling.

Best Bread for a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bread can make or break a grilled cheese, and for provolone, you want something sturdy enough to hold up to that perfect melt. Sourdough is probably my main go-to because I love its tangy flavor, but Italian is a close second. And if you’re craving that classic, diner grilled cheese vibe, thick-cut white bread is good too!

How to Make a Grilled Cheese with Provolone

Whether you devour this grilled cheese now or pack it for a school lunch later, you want that crispy texture to last until the last bite. Here’s how to make it happen:

Prep bread
Spread softened butter on the outside of both bread slices. This is going to make our sandwich crisp up nice and golden, brown.
Assemble
Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, into a pan over medium-low heat. Lay the provolone on top, then add the second slice of bread, buttered side up.
Grill to perfection
Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can also make a grilled cheese in the air fryer, meaning less time standing over the stove and more time for whatever else needs your attention!
Rest and serve
Let it sit for a minute before slicing on a cutting board or plate and enjoy the cheesy goodness!

two triangle halves of a melty provolone grilled cheese sandwich, stacked

What to Add to a Provolone Grilled Cheese

Provolone is solid all by itself, but adding a few simple extras, like caramelized onions, crispy bacon, or thinly sliced prosciutto (yes, please!), will have you feeling like you’re dining at your favorite deli. Add some roasted red peppers or a handful of arugula, and you’ve instantly leveled up to gourmet status!

Packing this Grilled Sandwich for Lunch

Keeping a grilled cheese crispy for later is easy with a few simple packing tips. My top hack is to let it cool before packing it to prevent steam from making it soggy! It’s also important to pack your sandwich in a hard lunch container to keep it from getting squished. Finally, add an ice pack to keep lunch sides like yogurt and fruit fresh until lunchtime.

More Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes

There's always room for another grilled cheese in your life! Try a Caprese grilled cheese with basil and tomato, a Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwich for something a little sweeter, or a mushroom grilled cheese if you prefer an earthy umami flavor!