Unbeatable Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe for Cozy Night In

My recent obsession with pizza grilled cheese started during a lazy weekend experiment in the kitchen.

Melted cheese and crispy bread triggered an unexpected culinary adventure.

Combining two comfort foods seemed like pure genius at the moment.

Childhood memories of classic sandwiches merged with late-night pizza cravings, creating something magical.

Layers of pepperoni, gooey mozzarella, and marinara sauce bring unexpected excitement to a traditional favorite.

Simple ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, promising deliciousness in every bite.

You won’t believe how easy and satisfying this mashup can be.

Dive into this recipe and transform an ordinary lunch into an extraordinary experience.

Pizza Grilled Cheese That’s Crispy And Melty

Speedy Weeknight Savior: Whip up this pizza grilled cheese in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a quick and delicious meal.

Mash-Up Magic: Combines two comfort food favorites – pizza and grilled cheese – into one irresistible sandwich that satisfies both kids and adults.

Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Simple ingredients and familiar flavors make this recipe a guaranteed hit with picky eaters, transforming mealtime into a fun experience.

Customization Potential: Easily swap pepperoni for ham, add different cheeses, or include extra veggies to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Elements In Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for spreading and flavor enhancement.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds subtle fruity notes and helps with smooth butter mixture.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal and aromatic complexity to the garlic butter.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated garlic flavor without raw garlic texture.

• White Bread: Classic sandwich bread for crispy, golden grilled cheese exterior.
• Pizza Sauce: Adds classic pizza flavor and moisture to the sandwich.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Pepperoni: Authentic pizza flavor combination with melty cheese and spicy meat. Choose low-moisture mozzarella for best melting, and opt for thin-sliced pepperoni for even distribution.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe Steps

Step 1: Whip Up Savory Garlic Spread

In a small bowl, combine softened butter with olive oil, sprinkle in Italian herbs, and dust with garlic powder.

Mix thoroughly until the ingredients create a fragrant, smooth spread that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Layer Delicious Sandwich Components

Take your bread slices and generously brush the exterior with the prepared garlic spread.

On the inner side of each slice, spread a vibrant layer of zesty pizza sauce.

Artfully arrange pepperoni slices across the sauce, then shower the surface with a blanket of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 3: Transform Into Golden Masterpiece

Warm a skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place your assembled sandwich into the pan, buttered side facing down.

Listen for the sizzle as the bread begins to turn a beautiful golden brown.

After about 3-4 minutes, gently flip the sandwich, allowing the other side to achieve the same crispy perfection and ensuring the cheese melts into gooey deliciousness.

Step 4: Present Your Culinary Creation

Remove the sandwich from the skillet, let it rest for a moment, then slice diagonally.

Serve immediately while the cheese is stretchy and the bread is crisp, ready to be devoured with pure joy.

Pizza Grilled Cheese – Extra Tips

• Apply garlic butter carefully on bread surfaces to ensure consistent golden-brown color and rich flavor throughout the sandwich.
• Spread pizza sauce and pepperoni thinly to prevent soggy bread and maintain crispy texture.
• Use medium heat to allow bread to crisp gradually without burning, creating perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Choose low-moisture mozzarella for optimal melting and stretchy, gooey texture that enhances overall sandwich experience.
• Swap pepperoni with vegetarian alternatives like mushrooms or bell peppers for dietary preferences while maintaining delicious pizza essence.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Can Be Saved For Later Snacks

• Store leftover pizza grilled cheese in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep sandwiches flat to prevent soggy bread.
• Warm sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat, covering with a lid to help cheese melt evenly. Flip occasionally to prevent burning.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place sandwiches on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bread regains crispiness.
• Skip microwaving to maintain crispy texture and prevent rubbery bread and cheese.

What Pairs with Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Pop Open a Bold Red Wine: Zesty chianti or robust cabernet sauvignon will perfectly complement the rich, cheesy pepperoni sandwich.
• Serve with Crisp Garden Salad: Light mixed greens with tangy vinaigrette will balance the heavy, indulgent grilled cheese and cut through its richness.
• Pair with Spicy Marinara Dipping Sauce: Homemade or store-bought marinara adds extra pizza flavor and provides a zesty dunking experience for each crispy bite.
• Grab Chilled Italian Craft Beer: Crisp pilsner or hoppy pale ale from Italy will enhance the sandwich's savory notes and cleanse the palate between bites.

Easy Pizza Toasts Swaps

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace pepperoni with roasted bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or spinach for a meat-free version that's packed with flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread and ensure pizza sauce is certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or swap pepperoni for spicy salami to boost heat and create a zesty sandwich experience.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap bread with large lettuce leaves or use low-carb tortillas as a lighter base for those watching carbohydrate intake.

FAQs

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! Kids love pizza and grilled cheese, so this combination is perfect for children. The simple ingredients and easy preparation make it a fun meal that kids can help make.

• Can I use different types of bread?

Absolutely! Any bread works well – white, wheat, sourdough, or Italian bread. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the fillings without falling apart.

• What if I don't have pizza sauce?

No worries! You can substitute with marinara sauce, tomato sauce, or even use a thin layer of tomato paste mixed with Italian herbs. The key is having a tomato-based sauce for that pizza flavor.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Simply skip the pepperoni and add vegetable toppings like sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. You can also use plant-based pepperoni alternatives available in many grocery stores.

Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Melty cheese meets crispy bread in this epic Pizza Grilled Cheese fusion, blending Italian-inspired flavors with classic comfort food. Gooey mozzarella, zesty marinara, and savory pepperoni create a mouthwatering sandwich you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Cheese:

• 36 pepperoni slices
• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

Bread:

• 12 slices white bread

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) pizza sauce
• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Craft a fragrant garlic-infused butter mixture by gently melting butter and blending it with olive oil, aromatic Italian seasoning, and pungent garlic powder.
2. Generously coat one surface of each bread slice with the prepared garlic butter, creating a flavorful exterior foundation.
3. On the unbuttered interior of the bread, spread a vibrant layer of zesty pizza sauce, creating a rich base for the sandwich.
4. Artfully arrange pepperoni slices across the sauce, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
5. Liberally sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni, allowing for complete ingredient coverage.
6. Carefully place the assembled sandwich into a preheated skillet set at medium temperature, positioning the buttered side downward.
7. Allow the sandwich to sizzle and transform, developing a golden-brown crispy exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes.
8. Skillfully flip the sandwich, revealing the perfectly caramelized surface, and continue cooking until the cheese melts completely and becomes irresistibly gooey.
9. Remove from heat, transfer to a cutting board, and slice diagonally to create visually appealing triangular portions.
10. Serve immediately while piping hot, ensuring maximum enjoyment of the melted cheese and crisp, buttery bread.

Notes

• Customize the pepperoni to suit dietary needs by using turkey pepperoni for lower fat or plant-based pepperoni for vegetarian options.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like provolone or a blend of cheeses to create unique flavor profiles.
• Control the heat carefully to achieve a perfectly crispy golden-brown exterior without burning the bread.
• Add extra flavor boosters like red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or a sprinkle of parmesan for enhanced taste complexity.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg