A regular grilled cheese is great but a star-shaped one makes lunch feel like a celebration. ♡
The trick is cutting the star shape BEFORE cooking, not after. That way the cheese melts right to the edges of the star and every bite has that perfect bread-to-cheese ratio. Pair it with a cup of tomato soup and you have got the coziest kid lunch ever.
Let the kids pick their own cookie cutter shapes and help butter the bread. Let’s make it together.
Ingredients
Star Shaped Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices white or whole wheat bread
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 slices American cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
Optional add-ins:
- Tomato slices
- Ham or turkey slices
- Cream cheese spread
- Tomato soup for dipping
How to Make Star Shaped Grilled Cheese
- Cut. Press a large star cookie cutter firmly through each bread slice. You need two matching stars per sandwich. Save the bread scraps for breadcrumbs or croutons.
- Assemble. Butter one side of each star-shaped bread. Place one star butter-side down, layer on a slice of cheddar and American cheese (trimmed to fit the star), then top with the second star butter-side up.
- Cook. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Place the star sandwich in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom is golden and the cheese starts to melt. Flip carefully.
- Finish. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more until both sides are golden and the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Press down gently with a spatula to help it along.
Tips
- Use the biggest cookie cutter you have so you get a good-sized sandwich from each bread slice.
- Medium-low heat is key. Too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts.
- Let kids press the cookie cutters into the bread. They get a real kick out of the shapes.
- Mixing cheddar and American cheese gives you both flavor and that stretchy melt kids love.
- Cover the pan with a lid for the first 2 minutes to help the cheese melt faster without burning the bread.
Variations
- Heart Shaped: Use heart cookie cutters for Valentine’s Day lunch.
- Pizza Grilled Cheese: Add a thin layer of marinara and mini pepperoni inside before grilling.
- Apple Cheddar: Slip thin apple slices in with the cheddar for a sweet-savory combo.
- Ham and Cheese Stars: Add a thin slice of deli ham between the cheese layers.
- Dino Shapes: Use dinosaur cutters to match the dino nuggets for a themed dinner.
FAQ
Why cut the bread before cooking instead of after?
Cutting before cooking means the cheese melts to the edges of the shape. If you cut after, you lose cheese and the sandwich falls apart. Pre-cutting gives you clean shapes every time.
What is the best bread for shaped grilled cheese?
Soft white sandwich bread works best because it is easy to cut with cookie cutters. Avoid thick artisan bread since it is too dense for clean shapes.
Can I make these in a waffle iron?
Yes, but press the shapes first, assemble, then place in a preheated waffle iron for 2 to 3 minutes. You get fun waffle grill marks on star-shaped sandwiches.
How do I use the bread scraps?
Pulse them in a food processor for homemade breadcrumbs, cut into cubes and toast for croutons, or spread with butter and cinnamon sugar for a quick snack.
Can I prep these ahead for lunchboxes?
Assemble them the night before (without cooking) and wrap in plastic wrap. Cook fresh in the morning. They take less than 5 minutes on the stove.
Star Shaped Grilled Cheese
Fun star-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches with melted cheddar and American cheese, golden and crispy on the outside.
Ingredients
Method
- Cut. Press star cookie cutter through each bread slice.
- Assemble. Butter stars, layer cheese between two matching stars.
- Cook. Medium-low heat, 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
- Finish. Serve when cheese is fully melted and gooey.
Notes
Cut shapes before cooking so cheese melts to the edges.
Use medium-low heat to prevent burning before cheese melts.
Use medium-low heat to prevent burning before cheese melts.
