Pizza Grilled Cheese combines the crispy, buttery bread and melted cheese of a classic grilled cheese sandwich with the bold flavors of pepperoni pizza. It is a quick lunch, easy dinner, or satisfying snack that comes together in minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick sandwich bread, sourdough, or Italian bread
- 2 tablespoons softened butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar or provolone cheese
- 16–20 pepperoni slices
- ¼ cup thick pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Place the softened butter in a small bowl. Add the garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix until combined.
- Arrange the bread slices on a clean work surface.
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the inside of each bread slice. Avoid using too much sauce because it can make the sandwich soggy.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar or provolone over two slices of bread.
- Arrange the pepperoni evenly over the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the pepperoni. Adding cheese on both sides helps hold the sandwich together.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and remaining Italian seasoning over the cheese.
- Place the remaining bread slices on top with the pizza-sauce sides facing inward.
- Spread the garlic butter over the outside of the top bread slices.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet with the buttered sides facing down.
- Spread garlic butter over the exposed top sides of the bread.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes, until the bottoms are crisp and golden brown.
- Carefully turn the sandwiches with a wide spatula. Cook the second side for another 3–5 minutes, until golden and the cheese is completely melted.
- If the bread browns before the cheese melts, reduce the heat and cover the skillet for one minute. The trapped heat will help melt the cheese.
- Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for 1–2 minutes.
- Cut each sandwich diagonally and serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Tips
- Cook the sandwiches over medium-low heat so the cheese melts before the bread becomes too dark.
- Use thick pizza sauce instead of thin pasta sauce to prevent soggy bread.
- Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
- Place cheese on both sides of the pepperoni to help hold the filling together.
- For crispier pepperoni, cook it in the skillet for one minute before assembling the sandwich.
- Do not overfill the sandwiches, or the cheese may spill into the pan.
- Press the sandwich gently with a spatula while cooking, but do not flatten it completely.
Variations
Vegetable Pizza Grilled Cheese:
Replace the pepperoni with sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or spinach.