Leftover Bolognese Grilled Cheese

This Bolognese Sandwich is the ULTIMATE way to use up leftover bolognese. It’s easy, ultra cheesy and bursting with flavour!

If you’re looking for one heck of a way to serve bolognese you’ve come to the right place. Follow me…

Garlic Butter

I don’t know about you, but I have never had bolognese without garlic bread – this bolognese sandwich is no different.

I was quite conscious when working on this recipe that it wasn’t just simply bolognese slapped between two slices of bread. An easy but really delicious way to spruce up a bolognese sandwich is to turn the bread into garlic bread. As you fry the grilled cheese simply swap out the butter for garlic butter and bobs your uncle.

How to make Garlic Butter

Grab some softened butter and mix in fresh parsley and fresh grated/minced garlic. You can absolutely make this in advance too.

How to make Bolognese Grilled Cheese

You’ll want to use thick, sturdy slices of bread. Here I use thick cut Tiger Bread, but Sourdough also works great. The other thing to ensure is that your bolognese is at room temp. If you use bolognese straight out the fridge it may not completely heat through as the grilled cheese fries. If you using hot bolognese it starts to steam inside the sandwich and make it go soggy.

What Cheese to use?

Here I use 3 different cheeses: Mozzarella, Parmesan and Swiss. Mozzarella and parmesan are must haves, but you could swap out the Swiss cheese for Provolone or even Cheddar.

Process shots: spread bread with garlic butter (photo 1), flip (photo 2), add Swiss (photo 3), add bolognese and parmesan (photo 4), add mozzarella (photo 5), add buttered bread (photo 6).

Order

Important to place the cheese at the top and bottom so it melts, also important to spread the bolognese in the centre. This will ensure it doesn’t seep into the bread and cause it to go soggy.

Low ‘n’ Slow

Don’t be tempted to fry the grilled cheese any higher than a medium heat. This will not only burn the garlic and parsley, but will also cook the outside before the centre heats up.

Can I make this with regular butter?

Sure can! Maybe I’m just being extra with the garlic bread part 🤣

Serving a Bolognese Sandwich

Once you’ve fried both sides and the centre is nice and gooey I recommend tucking in right away or you run the risk of it going mushy. You can also sprinkle over any leftover parmesan or parsley you’ve lying about.

Crisp/Chip Recommendation: You’ll want a nice sturdy variety like a Kettle Crisp/Chip, just so you can use them to scoop up any bolognese that spills out. Cheese and Onion flavour works great!

Side Recommendation: Something light like garlic parmesan fries works very nicely with this grilled cheese.

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this bolognese grilled cheese shall we?!

How to make a Leftover Bolognese Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)

Bolognese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This Bolognese Sandwich is the ULTIMATE way to use up leftover bolognese. It's easy, ultra cheesy and bursting with flavour!

5 from 2 votes

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Course: lunch

Cuisine: American, Italian

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 2

Calories per serving: 1368kcal

Author: Chris

Cost per serving: £2.50 / $3

Equipment

• Frying Pan & Turner/Spatula
• Small Pot (for garlic butter)
• Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
• Fine Grater (for parmesan)

Ingredients

Garlic Butter

• 4 tbsp / 60g / 2oz Butter, softened/at room temp
• 1 tbsp finely diced Fresh Parsley
• 1 fat clove of Garlic, finely minced/grated

Bolognese Grilled Cheese

• 4 thick large slices of Tiger Bread or Sourdough
• 1 cup Leftover Bolognese, at room temp (see notes)
• 1/4 cup / 20g freshly grated Parmesan
• 8 slices of Mozzarella
• 8 slices of Swiss Cheese (can sub Provolone or Cheddar)

Instructions

• In a small pot combine butter, parsley and garlic until smooth and evenly distributed. Make sure the butter is not only softened, but also make sure it's measured/weighed (not heaping tbsp) or you'll end up with way too much butter. Place to one side.
• In a pan with the heat OFF place two slices of bread. Spread with garlic butter then flip over the bread. Add Swiss (or cheese of choice), then add bolognese, top with parmesan then finish with mozzarella slices. Place the second slice of bread on top and spread with garlic butter.
• Turn heat to a medium. Don't go any higher or you'll burn the garlic butter, you want to fry fairly low and slow. Once nicely browned on one side flip over and cook the other side until toasty and browned. Finish by garnishing with any leftover parsley/parmesan (optional). Enjoy!

Quick Demo

Notes

a) Bolognese - You want bolognese that's fairly thick, otherwise it'll seep out and cause the grilled cheese to go soggy. If your bolognese is on the saucy side consider thickening it in a saucepan then leave it to cool again. Important the bolognese isn't straight out the fridge as it may not completely heat through as it fries. On the contrary don't add bolognese that's steaming hot otherwise it'll make the sandwich go soggy. Room temp is best. If you're looking for a bolognese recipe from scratch check out my Fool-Proof Bolognese on my second blog!

b) Bread - You want nice big thick slices of sturdy bread, just to keep all the filling intact.

c) Order - Important to spread the bolognese in the centre, not directly on the bread or it'll make the bread go soggy.

Nutrition Facts

Bolognese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1368 Calories from Fat 819

% Daily Value*

Fat 91.04g140%

Saturated Fat 52.389g327%

Trans Fat 0.572g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4.039g

Monounsaturated Fat 27.864g

Cholesterol 318mg106%

Sodium 1469mg64%

Potassium 701mg20%

Carbohydrates 39.12g13%

Fiber 1.7g7%

Sugar 6.17g7%

Protein 93.38g187%

Vitamin A 2427IU49%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 1711mg171%

Iron 6.35mg35%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.

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