Roast Garlic Mushroom Thyme

Featured in: Savory Bites

This sandwich features bread layered with creamy melted cheese, savory roasted garlic paste, and sautéed mushrooms seasoned with fresh thyme. Garlic cloves are slow-roasted until soft and mashed to bring out rich, sweet flavors that blend with the earthiness of golden mushrooms and the herbal brightness of thyme. The sandwich is grilled until the bread is crispy and cheese is perfectly melted, delivering a delightful balance of textures and flavors best enjoyed warm.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:40:00 GMT
Golden, bubbly Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, oozing with melted Gruyère and mozzarella. Save
Golden, bubbly Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, oozing with melted Gruyère and mozzarella. | cravebop.com

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

I always enjoy making this sandwich when I want something comforting yet flavorful, and it never disappoints.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Roast garlic:
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 to 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out the cloves and mash into a paste; set aside.
Sauté vegetables:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and any liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.
Prepare bread:
Spread roasted garlic paste evenly onto one side of each bread slice.
Assemble sandwich:
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.
Butter bread:
Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich.
Grill sandwiches:
Heat a clean skillet over medium-low. Grill sandwiches 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Serve:
Slice and serve hot.
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This sandwich brings my family together every time we make it, making weeknights special and delicious.

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese, butter) and wheat (bread). May contain gluten; check labels if gluten sensitive.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 480, Total Fat 27 g, Carbohydrates 38 g, Protein 21 g

A close-up of a crispy Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, featuring savory mushrooms and herbs. Save
A close-up of a crispy Roast Garlic Mushroom & Thyme Grilled Cheese, featuring savory mushrooms and herbs. | cravebop.com

This sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or comforting dinner, pairing well with a fresh green salad.

Recipe Guide

How should the garlic be prepared?

Roast the whole garlic head at 200°C wrapped in foil with oil until soft, then mash into a paste for layering.

What type of mushrooms work best?

Cremini or button mushrooms are ideal for sautéing until golden and flavorful.

How long should the sandwich be grilled?

Grill each side for 3–4 minutes over medium-low heat until the bread is golden and cheese has melted fully.

Can I add extra seasonings?

A splash of balsamic vinegar added to mushrooms enhances depth and balances flavors beautifully.

What cheese varieties complement this sandwich?

Gruyère and mozzarella blend well, but Swiss or Fontina cheeses can be used as substitutes.

Roast Garlic Mushroom Thyme

Golden bread with roasted garlic, mushrooms, fresh thyme, and melted cheese layers.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
20 min
Complete duration
35 min
Created by Lindsey Carter

Style Savory Bites

Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 2 Portions

Nutrition labels Meat-free

What you'll need

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 thyme

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 and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method

Phase 01

Roast Garlic: Preheat oven to 400°F. Slice the top off the garlic head, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 25–30 minutes until soft. Squeeze out 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 for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and thyme, season with salt and pepper, sauté 6–8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a plate.

Phase 03

Prepare Bread: Spread roasted garlic paste evenly onto one side of each bread slice.

Phase 04

Assemble Sandwich: Layer half the cheese mixture over two bread slices with garlic side up, top with mushroom mixture, then remaining cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices, garlic side down.

Phase 05

Butter the Bread: Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich.

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Serve: Slice sandwiches and serve hot.

Tools needed

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

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, butter) and wheat (bread).
  • May contain gluten; verify if gluten-sensitive.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 480
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 21 g