The 1861 English recipe book Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management includes a recipe for placing sandwiches of brown bread and butter with 1⁄2-inch (13 mm) slices of "a nice fat Cheshire or any good rich cheese" into an oven, and serving when the bread becomes toasted.

[2] U.S. government cookbooks describe Navy cooks broiling "American cheese filling sandwiches" during World War II.

A layer of butter or mayonnaise is usually added to the outside of the bread for additional flavor and texture.

Alternatives may include additional ingredients such as peppers, tomatoes, or onions.

[7] Microwavable frozen toasted sandwiches are available in supermarkets in a variety of locations.