Pizza Grilled Cheese is the ultimate mashup of two comfort food favorites. Picture golden, crispy bread oozing with layers of melty mozzarella, zesty pepperoni, and buttery garlic flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a fun family dinner. Every bite gives you that familiar pizza taste without the wait for delivery, making it a go-to when cravings strike. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping and you’ve got a meal that everyone at the table will love.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Pizza Grilled Cheese takes only a few simple ingredients and transforms them into a cheesy, crispy masterpiece. It cooks quickly, so you can have dinner on the table in 20 minutes. You can also customize the fillings with veggies, sausage, or even extra cheese to make it your own. It’s kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and doubles easily for larger portions. Whether you need a quick snack, an easy lunch, or a fun dinner idea, this sandwich fits the bill every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 8 slices white bread
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces pepperoni
- Warm pizza sauce for dipping
Optional add-ins: sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, bacon, or cooked sausage. You can also swap mozzarella for provolone or parmesan, and switch up the bread with Texas toast, garlic bread, or focaccia for extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pizza Grilled Cheese
Make the Garlic Butter Spread
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth. Spread on one side of each bread slice.
Assemble the Sandwich Layers
Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in a skillet over medium-low heat. Layer with mozzarella, pepperoni, and more cheese until stacked high. Top with another slice of bread, butter side up.
Cook Until Golden and Melty
Cover with a lid and cook for 3–5 minutes until golden and the cheese starts to melt. Flip carefully, cover again, and cook until the second side is golden and the cheese is gooey.
Serve with Pizza Sauce for Dipping
Transfer the grilled cheese to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce or marinara for dipping.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Always cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which helps each sandwich crisp evenly. Place finished sandwiches on a wire rack so steam doesn’t make the bread soggy. For reheating, skip the microwave and use a skillet or air fryer to bring back the crispy texture. If you’re cooking for a crowd, double the recipe—it’s quick and easy. Try different bread types for a new twist, and always keep extra sauce nearby for dipping.
Variations and Customizations
Switch things up with different toppings like bacon, sautéed onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Swap mozzarella for provolone, parmesan, or even a blend of cheeses for richer flavor. Bread choices like Texas toast, garlic bread, or focaccia add more texture and flavor. Dipping sauces can vary too—marinara, ranch, or even tomato soup all pair perfectly with this Pizza Grilled Cheese.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, place in a skillet or air fryer until warm and crisp. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread soggy and the cheese rubbery. Thaw frozen sandwiches overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Related Recipes to Try
- Spooky Halloween dinner idea with meatloaf
- Garlic butter steak and potatoes dinner
- How to make cheesy garlic chicken wraps
- Quick air fryer egg and cheese toast
- Perfect Christmas cheesy scalloped potatoes
- Spinach and artichoke wonton cups appetizer
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the sandwiches ahead and refrigerate them for up to a day before cooking. For longer prep, freeze them and cook directly from frozen after thawing overnight.
What’s the best cheese besides mozzarella?
Provolone and parmesan are great alternatives. You can also mix in cheddar or a pizza cheese blend for extra flavor and gooey texture.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Just skip the pepperoni and load up on mushrooms, onions, peppers, or spinach. The flavors still shine with plenty of cheese and garlic butter.
How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Cook in batches, don’t overcrowd the skillet, and place finished sandwiches on a wire rack. Avoid microwaving leftovers, and always reheat on a skillet or air fryer for crispiness.
Conclusion
Pizza Grilled Cheese is fun, fast, and endlessly customizable. With its crispy garlic-butter bread, melty mozzarella layers, and pepperoni goodness, it’s a dinner you’ll want to make again and again. Pair it with soup or salad for a cozy, complete meal. Don’t forget to try your own variations and share the results—you might discover a new family favorite. For more meal ideas and inspiration, check out my boards on Pinterest.
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Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
Crispy, buttery bread packed with gooey mozzarella, zesty pepperoni, and garlicky flavor. This Pizza Grilled Cheese makes a fast 20 minute dinner that kids and grown ups both love.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
8 slices white bread
12 slices mozzarella cheese
6 ounces pepperoni
Warm pizza sauce, for dipping
Instructions
1. Mix butter, parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth. Spread on one side of each bread slice.
2. Heat a skillet over medium low. Place one bread slice butter side down.
3. Layer 1 slice mozzarella, 6 pepperonis, another mozzarella slice, 6 pepperonis, then a final mozzarella slice.
4. Top with another bread slice butter side up. Cover and cook 3 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden and cheese starts to melt.
5. Flip, cover again, and cook until the second side is golden and cheese is fully melted.
6. Repeat with remaining sandwiches and serve right away with warm pizza sauce.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches.
To keep sandwiches crisp, place cooked ones on a wire rack over a sheet tray.
Add extras like cooked sausage, sautéed onions or peppers, mushrooms, or bacon.
Swap cheeses or breads; provolone or parmesan work, as do Texas toast, focaccia, or garlic bread.
Freeze up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Avoid microwaving to reheat; use a skillet or air fryer.
Double the recipe easily for a crowd.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner Recipes
- Method: Stovetop skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 958
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 23
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 104
