The Ultimate Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe: Cheesy Comfort Bliss

Melding two comfort food classics, my pizza grilled cheese delivers a mouthwatering twist that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Crispy bread meets gooey cheese in a spectacular culinary mashup.

Marinara sauce adds a zesty punch to this indulgent sandwich.

Pepperoni slices nestle between layers of melted mozzarella, creating irresistible bites packed with flavor.

Each golden-brown slice promises a perfect blend of Italian-inspired goodness.

Forget complicated cooking techniques – this recipe lets you craft restaurant-quality magic right in your kitchen.

We’re about to turn an ordinary lunch into an extraordinary flavor adventure that’ll have everyone begging for seconds.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Takes Your Favorite Foods and Mashes Them Beautifully

Speedy Flavor Fusion: Transforms classic grilled cheese into a pizza-inspired delight in just 15 minutes, perfect for quick lunch or dinner cravings.

Quick Comfort Meal: Delivers restaurant-style taste at home with minimal cooking skills required, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking delicious shortcuts.

Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Combines two beloved foods – pizza and grilled cheese – into one irresistible sandwich that children and adults will absolutely love.

Customizable Culinary Adventure: Allows easy ingredient swaps like different meats, cheeses, or sauce, enabling personal creativity without complex cooking techniques.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Ingredient Guide

• Bread: Sturdy white or sourdough bread perfect for grilling, with a soft interior and crisp exterior.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Soft, mild cheese that melts beautifully and creates a gooey sandwich texture.
• Pepperoni: Classic pizza topping that adds spicy and savory flavor to the grilled cheese.
• Marinara Sauce: Rich tomato sauce that brings authentic pizza taste to the sandwich.

• Softened Butter, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Enhances flavor and creates a golden, crispy sandwich exterior with aromatic herbs and cheese notes.

• Fresh Basil Leaves: Optional herb that adds a fresh, bright finish and authentic Italian-style presentation to the grilled cheese.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich How-To

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Garlic Spread

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Blend everything until perfectly combined and creamy.

Step 2: Build Incredible Sandwich Layers

• Spread marinara sauce on inner side of each bread slice
• Place mozzarella cheese on sauce
• Add pepperoni slices over cheese
• Top with another mozzarella slice
• Crown with remaining bread slice, buttered side facing outward

Step 3: Sizzle to Golden Perfection

Heat skillet over medium-low temperature.

Carefully transfer sandwiches onto cooking surface.

Grill each side for 3-5 minutes, pressing gently with spatula.

Watch for golden-brown exterior and melty cheese interior.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Remove sandwiches from skillet.

Allow one minute resting time.

Slice diagonally for beautiful presentation.

Accompany with extra marinara sauce.

Optional: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves for elegant touch.

Grilled Cheese Tips for Pizza Lovers

• Mix softened butter with Parmesan and herbs before spreading to enhance flavor depth and ensure even coating on bread.
• Use medium-low heat to perfectly melt cheese without burning bread, allowing gentle, consistent browning and gooey interior.
• Layer pepperoni evenly between cheese slices to distribute flavor and prevent soggy spots in the sandwich.
• Warm marinara sauce separately for a perfect temperature contrast when serving with the crispy grilled cheese.
• Allow sandwich to rest for one minute after cooking to help cheese set and prevent immediate filling spillage when cutting.

Save Pizza Grilled Cheese Fresh

• Store leftover pizza grilled cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
• Warm sandwiches in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Place on a baking sheet and cover with foil to prevent excessive drying and maintain crispy edges.
• Revive sandwiches in a lightly greased skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side. This method helps restore the original crispy texture and melty cheese.
• Skip microwave reheating, as it can make the bread soggy and compromise the sandwich's crisp exterior and gooey cheese texture.

Pizza Grilled Cheese: What Goes With It

• Savor Complementary Flavor Combos
• Pair with Crisp Red Wine: A medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese cuts through the rich, cheesy sandwich with its bright acidity and complements the pepperoni's spiciness.
• Select Zesty Dipping Companion: Serve alongside extra marinara sauce warmed with a hint of red pepper flakes to enhance the pizza grilled cheese's tangy and spicy profile.
• Refresh with Chilled Beverage: Enjoy an ice-cold Italian craft beer like Peroni or a sparkling San Pellegrino to balance the sandwich's hearty, melted cheese texture.
• Create Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a crisp, peppery contrast that cleanses the palate between bites of the rich grilled cheese.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Served With Fun Twists

• Veggie Lovers' Pizza Grilled Cheese: Replace pepperoni with roasted bell peppers, spinach, and sliced mushrooms for a vegetarian-friendly version that's packed with garden-fresh flavor.
• Gluten-Free Pizza Grilled Cheese: Use gluten-free bread and ensure all ingredients like marinara sauce are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Pizza Grilled Cheese: Swap bread with large cheese crisp shells or lettuce wraps, keeping the classic pizza ingredients while reducing carbohydrate content for keto diet followers.
• Vegan Pizza Grilled Cheese: Substitute dairy cheese with plant-based mozzarella alternatives, use vegan pepperoni or tempeh slices, and create dairy-free garlic butter using coconut or olive oil.

FAQs

• What makes this pizza grilled cheese different from a regular grilled cheese?

This recipe combines classic grilled cheese with pizza flavors by using marinara sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Italian seasonings, creating a mashup that tastes like a pizza sandwich.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or a pizza blend cheese. Just ensure the cheese melts well and complements the pizza-style ingredients.

• How do I prevent the bread from burning while cooking?

Cook the sandwiches on medium-low heat and watch carefully. This allows the cheese to melt slowly while achieving a golden-brown crust without scorching the bread.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the combination of melted cheese, pepperoni, and crispy bread. It’s an easy recipe that transforms two favorite foods into one delicious meal.

The Ultimate Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crusty bread embraces melted cheese and zesty pizza flavors in this ultimate pizza grilled cheese masterpiece. Savory marinara, gooey mozzarella, and pepperoni create a quick lunch that satisfies comfort food cravings with Italian-inspired flair you’ll devour.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Cheese Ingredients:

• 24 slices pepperoni
• 12 slices mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese

Bread and Butter Ingredients:

• 8 slices Italian or white bread
• 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) marinara or pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
• Optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a flavorful garlic-infused butter by thoroughly blending softened butter with grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until the mixture becomes a uniform, aromatic spread.
2. Select bread slices and create a workspace for sandwich assembly, positioning each piece with the unbuttered side facing upward.
3. Delicately spread a thin, even layer of marinara sauce across the surface of each bread slice, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Layer a slice of mozzarella cheese directly onto the marinara-coated bread, creating a rich, melty foundation for each sandwich.
5. Artfully arrange six pepperoni slices atop the cheese, distributing them evenly to guarantee a consistent flavor profile in every bite.
6. Add a second slice of mozzarella cheese to complete the inner layers, creating a decadent cheese barrier.
7. Crown each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, positioning them with the buttered exterior facing outward for optimal grilling.
8. Preheat a skillet or griddle to medium-low heat, creating an ideal environment for achieving a golden, crispy exterior.
9. Carefully transfer the assembled sandwiches to the heated cooking surface, allowing them to sizzle and transform.
10. Monitor the sandwiches closely, cooking for 3-5 minutes per side and gently pressing with a spatula to ensure even browning and thorough cheese melting.
11. Once the bread reaches a rich, golden-brown color and the cheese becomes luxuriously melted, remove the sandwiches from the heat.
12. Allow the grilled cheese to rest momentarily, enabling the molten cheese to stabilize and prevent immediate burning.
13. Slice the sandwiches diagonally, revealing the gooey, pepperoni-studded interior.
14. Plate the grilled cheese alongside a ramekin of additional marinara sauce for dipping, and optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves to elevate the presentation.

Notes

• Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone or fontina for varied flavor profiles.
• Swap pepperoni with cooked Italian sausage or crispy bacon to customize the sandwich.
• Use gluten-free bread to make this recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Allow sandwiches to rest briefly after cooking to help cheese set and prevent burning your mouth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg