Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Print)

A crispy, cheesy sandwich with mozzarella, pepperoni, and zesty marinara sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices Italian bread or sourdough

→ Cheese & Meats

02 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
03 - 12–16 slices pepperoni

→ Sauce

04 - 1/4 cup marinara sauce, plus extra for dipping

→ For Cooking

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Steps:

01 - Lay out the bread slices and spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice.
02 - Place two bread slices butter side down. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce on the unbuttered side of each.
03 - Layer mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then arrange pepperoni slices on top.
04 - Cover with remaining bread slices, butter side up, to form two sandwiches.
05 - Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese melts.
07 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for one minute, then slice diagonally.
08 - Serve hot with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in twenty minutes, which means you can satisfy those pepperoni pizza cravings without ordering delivery.
  • The contrast between crispy buttered bread and gooey melted cheese with salty pepperoni hits differently when it's all contained in something you can hold in your hands.
  • It feels indulgent but costs a fraction of what you'd spend at a restaurant, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or lazy lunch.
02 -
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable here; high heat will burn your bread before the cheese has a chance to melt, leaving you with a crispy shell and a cold center that never quite comes together.
  • The butter on the outside is what creates the crust, so don't skip it or use oil as a substitute—this is where the magic happens.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese when possible; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make it harder to achieve that silky melt you're after, and fresh mozzarella from a good source transforms the whole sandwich.
  • Press the sandwich gently while it cooks to create better contact between the cheese and bread, but resist the urge to press down hard or you'll squeeze out the good stuff and end up with a dense, compressed result.
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