It was the weekend before Labor Day, and I was visiting my niece, a nurse who lives in a cozy coastal town where everything smells like sea salt and fresh bread. Her kitchen opens onto a small patio, and we’d been cooking all morning—chopping, tasting, laughing over coffee.
A neighbor dropped by to return a borrowed rake, and before I knew it, he was sitting at the table with us, talking about how his grandmother used to make shrimp toast in New Orleans. That little conversation set the wheels turning. I rummaged through her pantry and freezer, and by late afternoon, we had this Cheesy Garlic Bread Shrimp Grilled Cheese sizzling on the stovetop.
We used thick slices of sourdough from the corner bakery, shrimp from the dockside market, and generous handfuls of mozzarella and sharp white cheddar. She had a bulb of garlic roasted from the night before, and that went straight into a quick butter spread that soaked into the bread like a dream. As the sandwiches crisped up, we could hear music playing from a beach party down the block.
We brought out a pitcher of lemonade and set everything on the patio table, the smell alone enough to draw the mail carrier in for a bite. He said it reminded him of a food truck he tried in Key West. Funny how a few ingredients and a hot pan can bring a small circle of strangers and family together on a breezy afternoon.
Short Description
A comforting grilled cheese sandwich featuring garlicky Italian bread, juicy shrimp, and gooey mozzarella and Parmesan—a twist on classic comfort food with a seaside breeze.
Key Ingredients
Seafood
-
½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Dairy
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Bakery
-
8 slices Italian bread
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Oils & Fats
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
Tools Needed
- Skillet or griddle
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Cheese grater
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook Shrimp
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, sauté for 30 seconds, then add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turn opaque pink, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter
In a bowl, combine softened butter, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix until well blended.
Step 3: Assemble Sandwiches
Spread garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, layer shrimp and mozzarella cheese, then top with another bread slice, buttered side out.
Step 4: Grill Sandwiches
Heat skillet over medium heat. Grill sandwiches until golden brown on each side and cheese melts, about 3–4 minutes per side. Press gently with spatula to help cheese melt evenly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Boost: Garlic butter, cheesy melt, and tender shrimp in every bite.
Quick Fix: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Balanced Meal: Protein-rich shrimp with melted dairy and carbs makes it satisfying.
Crowd-Friendly: Cut into halves or thirds for sharing, ideal for casual gatherings.
Customizable: Easy to swap cheeses or add herbs to fit your taste.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Burned garlic: Sauté garlic quickly, just 30 seconds, before adding shrimp.
Dry shrimp: Don’t overcook; remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.
Soggy bread: Use softened, not melted, butter, and grill over medium heat.
Unmelted cheese: Press sandwiches gently and keep heat moderate to melt without burning.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve with a crisp green salad or tomato soup for a full meal.
Pair with lemon wedges for a zesty shrimp contrast.
Slice into quarters and serve as appetizer-style at casual parties.
Enjoy with iced tea, sparkling water, or a chilled white wine.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store: Wrap leftover sandwiches in foil and refrigerate up to 2 days.
Reheat: Warm in an oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to revive crispiness.
Freeze: Assemble and wrap before grilling; store up to 1 month. Grill or pan-toast from frozen until heated through.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, thaw completely, pat dry, and cook as directed.
2. What cheeses work best?
Mozzarella for melt; Parmesan adds flavor. Provolone or cheddar are fine swaps.
3. Can I make it vegetarian?
Skip shrimp; add sautéed mushrooms or spinach instead.
4. Is it spicy?
No, but a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce in the butter adds zip.
5. Can I make mini versions?
Yes, use smaller bread slices or cut full sandwiches into smaller pieces for sharing.
Tips & Tricks
Toast bread lightly before assembling for extra crunch.
Use room-temperature shrimp to avoid cold pockets in the sandwich.
Mix extra garlic butter and brush on rolls or veggies.
Add sliced tomato or avocado inside before grilling for fresh flavor.
For extra crispness, grill on a preheated griddle with a press or heavy pan.
Recipe Variations
Spicy Shrimp Grilled Cheese
Add ½ tsp chili flakes to butter and sprinkle cheese with pepper jack.
Herb-Lemon Shrimp Melt
Add 1 tsp lemon zest and fresh dill to garlic butter. Serve with lemon-herb aioli.
Mediterranean Twist
Replace shrimp with grilled artichoke hearts, olives, and feta cheese.
Low-Carb Option
Use keto bread or portobello caps instead of bread slices.
Final Thoughts
We finished the sandwiches just as the sun dipped behind the rooftops. Plates empty, glasses sweating in the warm air, everyone leaned back and let the breeze do its thing. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t fancy. But it’s the kind of day you tuck away in your memory—a quiet kind of joy wrapped in melty cheese and golden bread.
I jotted the recipe down on a napkin for our neighbor before he left. He tucked it in his shirt pocket like it was treasure. Maybe it was.
Cheesy Garlic Bread Shrimp Grilled Cheese
Print ThisIngredients
- Seafood
- ½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Dairy
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Bakery
- 8 slices Italian bread
- Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Oils & Fats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Step 1: Cook Shrimp
Sauté garlic in olive oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Set aside.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter
Mix softened butter with Parmesan and parsley until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble Sandwiches
Spread garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. Layer shrimp and mozzarella on the other side, then top with a second slice, buttered side out.
Step 4: Grill Sandwiches
Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and melty, pressing gently with a spatula.
