When it comes to comfort food, grilled cheese holds a special place in our hearts. But what if we took it up a notch? Introducing the Cheesy Garlic Bread Shrimp Grilled Cheese—the ultimate fusion of buttery garlic bread, succulent shrimp, and gooey Monterey Jack cheese. This isn’t your average sandwich; it’s a gourmet twist on a classic that will leave you craving more after every bite.
The Inspiration Behind the Dish
Grilled cheese is nostalgic. It reminds us of cold winter days when the gooey, cheesy goodness warmed us up from the inside out. But what happens when you add some zesty garlic bread and perfectly seasoned shrimp? You get a sandwich that’s indulgent, flavorful, and irresistible. The idea is to combine two favorite comfort foods—shrimp scampi and grilled cheese—into one mouthwatering bite. This recipe brings the best of both worlds to your plate.
Ingredients
- The Garlic Bread:
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Shrimp Filling:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Sandwich Assembly:
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Additional butter for grilling
Directions: From Crusty Bread to Gooey Perfection
- Start by setting the temperature of your oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine softened butter, chopped garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and parsley in a small bowl. This garlic butter spread is what you will be using to coat the French loaf and it will help crisp up quite nicely the layer of prawns with cheese that will follow. Evenly apply the paste on both halves of the bread and place in the oven until browned on the parameters, that is in about 10-12 minutes.
- In the meantime while the bread is baking, put some olive oil in a frying pan and heat it over medium flame. Use salt, pepper, and a little bit of paprika to seasoning the shrimps, as it has a subtle smoke flavor. Fry the shrimps until they have turned completely pink and firm, around two to three minutes on each side. The shrimp provide a nice, light seafood element to this dish which complements the decadent cheese and garlic bread.
- Towards the end is the most enjoyable part – the sandwich construction. Once the garlic bread layer is done, cooked shrimp is placed on one half and loads of shredded Monterey Jack cheese is thrown on top of it. The soft and creamy Monterey Jack cheese goes perfectly with the taste of the shrimp, courtesy of the hiding in between layer. Cover the bread with the remaining half of the garlic bread and gently press it down.
- Light the stove, grease a pan with some butter, and set it over medium heat. When the pan is ready, grill the prepared sandwich in the pan until the cheese melts inside and the sides of the bread are crisped to golden brown—approximately three to four minutes each side. Make sure to turn it over very slowly so that it does not end up everywhere. After it has become brown and hard, take it out of the frying pan.
- Cut the sandwich into portions and serve it hot. Watch as the cheese stretches and oozes with each slice—pure cheesy magic! Pair this sandwich with a side salad or simply enjoy it on its own for a decadent lunch or dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What is special in this recipe? The answer is – the textures and the flavors combined. The white bread is toasted with flavored garlic butter which makes it very appetizing and crunchy, followed by the succulent shrimp. And the cheese melts provocatively. Who wouldn’t take the risk of gaining weight for such glorious cheesy goodness with each mouthful enticingly draped with melted cheese? Whether it’s for the family or on a very fine day you’re cooking for yourself, this Sandwich will definitely be on the top favorites list.