Recipe

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The melty cheese and buttery bread combo of this roast beef grilled cheese makes this one seriously crave-worthy sandwich!

Turn leftover roast beef, or thick-cut from the deli, into a grilled cheese that’s totally over-the-top delicious!

two roast beef grilled sandwiches stacked on each other

Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Roast Beef

Tender roast beef, gooey cheese and perfectly toasted bread? I’m already drooling! Anytime I have leftovers from a roast, my family immediately starts asking for these epic gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

No leftovers? No problem! Grab thick-cut roast beef from the deli or stack up the thin stuff and call it beast mode like my son does! Turn the extras into a roast beef wrap with fresh veggies for another easy lunch idea that takes almost zero effort.

Ingredients

What I love about this roast beef grilled cheese is that it's so easy to make, but tastes like something from a bistro cafe menu:

Bread: go for a sturdy bread like rustic or sourdough that can handle those big fillings without falling apart.
Cheese: I’m using sharp cheddar for this recipe, but you can use any favorite as long as it isn’t too mild.
Roast beef: Use extra thick deli slices or leftover roast beef.
Butter: for that golden, crispy exterior.

Best Cheese to Go With Grilled Cheese

I love sharp cheddar to balance out the roast beef, and it still melts great. Smoked gouda, provolone, or swiss would also be good here-just steer clear of anything too mild, or you'll miss that cheesy punch!

roast beef grilled cheese open face on a griddle

How to Make Roast Beef Grilled Cheese

Here's how I make grilled cheese with that crispy outside and melty center every time:

Butter the bread
Spread an even layer of butter on one side of each bread slice. This is what’s going to give you that golden crust.
Make the sandwich
Place one of the bread slices, butter-side-down, in a hot skillet. Add a layer of cheese, then roast beef, and finish with another layer of cheese. Top with the second bread slice and grill over medium heat until the bottom is golden brown, then flip and toast the other side until the cheese is all melty. Tip: If I don't want to deal with the stove, I make grilled cheese in the air fryer instead-less mess, same crunch.
Cool
Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it to keep the cheese from sliding out and the roast beef from falling everywhere. Then just stack it on a plate and dig in!

two roast beef grilled cheese sandwiches on a pan

Pack a Grilled Cheese for Lunch

If you’re packing a grilled sandwich for school, let it cool first-otherwise, the steam will make the bread soggy. Slice the sandwich and put it in a hard, sandwich-sized container to prevent it from getting squished. Lunch sides like fruit and veggies should be kept fresh and cool so don’t forget to add an ice pack in the lunch bag before you head out the door!