Description

Experience the ultimate comfort food mashup with this Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe. Featuring crispy, buttery bread toasted to perfection and oozing with melted mozzarella, Parmesan, savory turkey pepperoni, and flavorful marinara sauce, this sandwich is packed with classic pizza flavors in every bite. Perfect for a quick lunch or indulgent snack, it’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Butter

4 slices of bread (sourdough, white, or whole wheat)
2 tbsp butter (softened)

Cheese and Sauce

½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Toppings and Seasonings

12 slices of turkey pepperoni (or your preferred topping)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Bread: Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each bread slice. Sprinkle the buttered sides evenly with garlic powder and Italian seasoning to infuse the bread with rich pizza flavors as it toasts.
Assemble the Sandwich: Place two slices of bread buttered side down on a flat surface. Spread marinara sauce evenly on the non-buttered side of each slice. Layer shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and turkey pepperoni on top of the sauce. If desired, add extra toppings of your choice. Finish by placing the remaining bread slices on top with buttered sides facing up.
Toast the Sandwich: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Carefully place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Press down slightly with a spatula to help the sandwich brown evenly and cheese melt fully. Flip gently to avoid spilling the fillings.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them rest for about a minute to allow the cheese to settle slightly. Slice each sandwich in half diagonally, garnish with fresh chopped basil for an aromatic lift, and serve with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Use any type of bread you prefer; sourdough adds a nice tang, while whole wheat offers more fiber.
For a vegetarian version, substitute turkey pepperoni with sliced mushrooms, roasted peppers, or olives.
Adjust the cooking time depending on your stove’s heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts.
Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting without excess moisture.
Adding fresh basil after cooking brightens the flavor, but you can omit it if unavailable.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Lunch, Snack
Method: Grilling/Toasting
Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 540 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 950 mg
Fat: 27 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 27 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, pepperoni sandwich, easy lunch recipe, comfort food, melted cheese sandwich