Irresistible Pizza Grilled Cheese

This sandwich brings together pizza and grilled cheese in one tasty treat. The gooey mozzarella, pepperoni, and sauce stuffed between buttery toasted bread gives you all the pizza taste in a handy sandwich form.

I came up with this idea when my nephew wouldn't eat anything except pizza for days. The sandwich was such a success that we started making it every Friday for our movie nights.

What You'll Need

• Bread go for something firm like Italian or sourdough that won't fall apart
• Mozzarella cheese grab fresh slices for that amazing stretchy cheese effect
• Pizza sauce the key flavor component pick one loaded with garlic and herbs
• Turkey pepperoni has less fat than regular but tastes just as good
• Shredded cheddar cheese brings a tangy kick alongside the milder mozzarella
• Butter make sure it's soft so it spreads easily for that crispy brown outside
• Italian seasoning gives each mouthful that real pizza kick

How To Make It

Get your bread ready

Take your soft butter and coat one side of each bread slice completely. Cover the whole surface for even toasting. The butter shouldn't be too hard or you'll tear the bread.

Begin cooking

Put two bread slices into a cool pan with buttered sides facing down, then turn the heat to medium. Using a cold pan helps the bread brown evenly instead of burning right away.

Add the sauce

Put 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each bread slice in the pan. Don't go all the way to the edges or it'll leak out when everything gets hot.

Stack your toppings

Put mozzarella down first to create a shield between the sauce and other ingredients. Lay out the pepperoni in one layer, then scatter cheddar on top. The cheddar works like glue for everything.

Add flavor and finish assembly

Dust Italian seasoning over everything and top with the other bread slices, butter side up. Press down lightly with a spatula to help everything stick together.

Cook until done

Let it cook until golden on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes. Carefully flip each sandwich with a wide spatula to keep everything inside. Cook another 3 minutes until both sides are golden and cheese is all melty.

Ready to eat

Move to a cutting board and wait just a minute before cutting across diagonally. Serve with warm pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Save This

The mozzarella really makes this sandwich special. I found that cutting it a bit thicker gives you those amazing stretchy cheese moments when you take a bite. My family now rates how good the sandwich is by how far they can stretch the cheese.

Prep In Advance

You can put these sandwiches together up to a day before eating. Do all the steps except cooking them, wrap each one in parchment paper and stick them in the fridge. When you're hungry, just cook them as normal but add about a minute to the cooking time.

Different Ways To Make It

Try a meat-free version by using cooked mushrooms, bell peppers and spinach instead of pepperoni. The veggies add nice crunch and extra nutrients while still tasting amazing. My sister who doesn't eat meat always asks for this when she comes over.

What To Eat With It

Round out your meal with a basic green salad with Italian dressing to balance the richness. If you want something more filling, a bowl of tomato soup makes the perfect partner, especially when it's cold outside.

Common Queries

→ Can I use different cheeses for this dish?

Sure thing! Try switching it up with cheeses like provolone, gouda, or add some kick with pepper jack for your own special version.

→ What bread works best for this dish?

Go for thick, hearty options like sourdough or country white that won't get mushy while you're cooking them up.

→ Can I make this vegetarian?

You bet! Just drop the pepperoni and toss in some veggies instead. Sliced peppers, mushrooms, or spinach work great for a meat-free option.

→ How can I prevent the bread from burning?

Keep your heat at medium and watch it like a hawk. Flip it over as soon as you see that nice golden color on the bottom.

→ What can I serve with this dish?

It goes perfectly with a simple green salad, a cup of tomato soup, or just some extra pizza sauce on the side for dunking.