Roast Garlic Mushroom Thyme

Featured in: All-American Desserts

This grilled cheese combines rich roasted garlic paste with golden sautéed mushrooms and fragrant thyme layered between melted Gruyère and mozzarella on crispy sourdough bread. The garlic roasting process sweetens its flavor, while the mushrooms bring earthiness. Buttered and pan-grilled to achieve a golden crust, each bite offers a harmonious blend of creamy, savory, and aromatic notes. Perfect as a quick yet indulgent main dish that highlights simple fresh ingredients and classic cooking techniques.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 13:49:00 GMT
Golden, gooey Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, oozing with melted Gruyère, ready to savor. Save
Golden, gooey Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, oozing with melted Gruyère, ready to savor. | dashofstates.com

A decadent grilled cheese sandwich featuring savory roasted garlic, sautéed mushrooms, fresh thyme, and gooey melted cheese on crispy golden bread.

This recipe quickly became a family favorite with its perfect blend of creamy cheese and aromatic toppings.

Ingredients

  • Garlic: 1 head
  • Mushrooms: 200 g (7 oz) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • Onion: 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • Thyme: 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)
  • Gruyère cheese: 120 g (4 oz), grated
  • Mozzarella cheese: 120 g (4 oz), grated
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp, softened
  • Bread: 4 slices sourdough or country bread
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Salt and pepper: to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste set aside.
Step 2:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme season with salt and pepper and sauté for 6 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and any liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.
Step 3:
Spread roasted garlic paste evenly onto one side of each bread slice.
Step 4:
Layer half the cheese mixture on two slices of bread (garlic side up) top with the mushroom mixture then the remaining cheese. Cover with the remaining bread slices garlic side down.
Step 5:
Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich.
Step 6:
Heat a clean skillet over medium low. Grill sandwiches 3 4 minutes per side pressing gently until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Step 7:
Slice and serve hot.
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Making this sandwich always brings everyone to the kitchen gathering to enjoy a warm homemade treat.

Tools Needed

Oven Skillet Knife Cutting board Cheese grater Foil

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese butter) wheat (bread) May contain gluten (bread) check labels if gluten-sensitive

Nutritional Information

Calories 480 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 21 g per serving

Crispy golden sourdough encases a warm and cheesy Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese sandwich, a comfort food classic. Save
Crispy golden sourdough encases a warm and cheesy Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese sandwich, a comfort food classic. | dashofstates.com

This grilled cheese is a delicious way to impress with simple ingredients and bold flavors.

Recipe FAQ

How do you roast the garlic for this dish?

Slice the top off a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 200°C (400°F) for 25–30 minutes until soft and spreadable.

What type of mushrooms work best?

Cremini or button mushrooms are ideal as they sauté well, becoming tender and flavorful without excess moisture.

Can the cheeses be substituted?

Swiss or Fontina cheeses provide a similar melt and flavor profile if Gruyère or mozzarella are unavailable.

How do you achieve a crispy, golden crust?

Spread butter on the bread's exterior and cook sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat, pressing gently and flipping after 3-4 minutes.

What seasoning enhances the mushroom mixture?

Fresh thyme leaves, salt, and freshly ground black pepper bring out the earthiness of mushrooms. Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar adds subtle acidity.

Roast Garlic Mushroom Thyme

Savory sandwich with roasted garlic, sautéed mushrooms, thyme, and melted cheese on golden bread.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Jordan Miller


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 2 Portions

Nutritional considerations Meat-free

Components

Vegetables

01 1 head garlic
02 7 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
03 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried)

Dairy

01 4 oz Gruyère cheese, grated
02 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
03 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Bread

01 4 slices sourdough or country bread

Condiments & Seasonings

01 2 tbsp olive oil
02 Salt, to taste
03 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

Phase 01

Roast Garlic Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste; set aside.

Phase 02

Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onions 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and sauté 6 to 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and liquid evaporates. Transfer to a plate.

Phase 03

Assemble Sandwich: Spread roasted garlic paste evenly on one side of each bread slice. On two bread slices (garlic side up), layer half the cheese mixture, then mushroom mixture, then remaining cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, garlic side down.

Phase 04

Butter Sandwich Exterior: Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich to ensure a golden crust when grilled.

Phase 05

Grill Sandwich: Heat a clean skillet over medium-low heat. Grill sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Phase 06

Serve: Slice sandwiches and serve immediately while hot.

Necessary tools

  • Oven
  • Skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Cheese grater
  • Foil

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter), wheat (bread). May contain gluten; verify product labeling for gluten sensitivity.

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

These figures are approximate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Energy: 480
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 21 g