Crispy Bacon Cheddar Sandwich

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread and Cheese

01 - 4 slices sourdough bread

02 - 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or grated

→ Meats

03 - 4 slices bacon

→ Spreads

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Optionals

05 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional, for extra crispiness)

06 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Fry bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

02 - Butter one side of each sourdough slice. Optionally, spread mayonnaise on the opposite side for added crunch.

03 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Layer with cheddar cheese, bacon, a pinch of black pepper, and additional cheese if desired. Top with remaining slices, buttered side up.

04 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese melts, pressing gently with a spatula for crispness.

05 - Remove sandwiches from skillet, let rest for 1 minute. Slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

The contrast between crispy, buttery bread and melting sharp cheddar hits different when bacon's involved.
It comes together in under 20 minutes, which means you can feed yourself something genuinely good on a weeknight.
That moment when you cut into it and the cheese stretches just enough to know it's perfect.

02 -

Don't cook on high heat—the bread burns before the cheese finishes melting, and you'll end up frustrated.
Slice your cheddar if you can, rather than grating it, because slices melt in unified, beautiful layers instead of turning into scattered hot spots.

03 -

Soften your butter at room temperature before spreading—cold butter tears the bread and frustrates you unnecessarily.
If your skillet is older and tends to have hot spots, lower the heat even further and cook a minute longer per side instead of risking a burnt exterior.