Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pizza grilled cheese is everything you love about pizza packed between crispy, buttery slices of bread. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or when a pizza craving strikes. You can keep it simple with pepperoni and mozzarella or load it up with your favorite toppings like mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Sandwich:
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4 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or whole wheat)
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4 tablespoons marinara or pizza sauce
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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8–10 slices of pepperoni (or preferred pizza topping)
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2 tablespoons butter, softened
Optional Toppings and Additions:
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Sliced black olives
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Sautéed mushrooms
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Sliced bell peppers
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Fresh basil leaves
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Grated Parmesan cheese
For Dipping:
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Additional marinara or pizza sauce
Directions
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Lay out the bread slices. Spread 1 tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce on one side of each slice.
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Sprinkle ¼ cup mozzarella cheese on two slices of bread.
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Add pepperoni or chosen toppings over the cheese. Add more cheese on top if desired.
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Place the remaining slices of bread on top, sauce side in.
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Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
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Let cool slightly, slice diagonally, and serve with extra marinara for dipping.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 2 sandwiches. Preparation and cooking take about 15 minutes total.
Variations
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Use different cheeses such as provolone, cheddar, or a mix of Italian cheeses.
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Swap pepperoni for turkey, or cooked sausage.
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Make it vegetarian with mushrooms, olives, or spinach.
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Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
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Try garlic butter on the bread for extra flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Leftover pizza grilled cheese can be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side to regain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the bread soggy.
FAQs
Can I make this with gluten-free bread?
Yes, gluten-free bread works just as well for this recipe.
Can I make it ahead of time?
It’s best eaten fresh, but you can prepare the sandwiches ahead and cook them when ready.
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce?
Absolutely, any marinara or pizza sauce works fine.
Can I make it without butter?
Yes, you can use olive oil or a butter substitute for crisping.
How do I keep the cheese from oozing out?
Make sure the cheese is layered inside well between toppings and bread, and don’t overfill.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 375°F for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What other bread works best?
Sourdough and whole wheat are great options for sturdiness and flavor.
Can I freeze pizza grilled cheese?
It’s not recommended, as the bread can become soggy after thawing.
How do I make it extra cheesy?
Add an extra layer of cheese on both sides of the fillings for maximum gooeyness.
What’s the best way to serve this?
Serve with warm marinara or pizza sauce for dipping, plus a side salad or chips.
Conclusion
Pizza grilled cheese is the ultimate mash-up of comfort foods, perfect for when you want pizza flavors without waiting for delivery. Quick, cheesy, and endlessly customizable, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household.
Print
Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun mash-up of pizza and grilled cheese, this pizza grilled cheese is cheesy, crispy, and loaded with bold flavors. Quick to make in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a hearty snack.
Ingredients
4 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or whole wheat)
4 tablespoons marinara or pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
8–10 slices of pepperoni (or preferred pizza topping)
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Optional: sliced black olives, sautéed mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese
For dipping: additional marinara or pizza sauce
Instructions
- Lay out the bread slices and spread 1 tablespoon of marinara or pizza sauce on one side of each slice.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup mozzarella cheese on two slices of bread.
- Add pepperoni or chosen toppings over the cheese, then add more cheese on top if desired.
- Top with the remaining bread slices, sauce side in.
- Spread softened butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Let cool slightly, slice diagonally, and serve with extra marinara for dipping.
Notes
Swap pepperoni with turkey, or sausage for variation.
Make it vegetarian by using mushrooms, olives, or spinach.
Use different cheeses like provolone, cheddar, or Italian blends.
Reheat leftovers in a skillet for best crispiness—avoid microwaving.
Try garlic butter on the bread for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
