Description
Melty cheese and crispy bread collide in this pizza grilled cheese sandwich, blending Italian-American comfort foods into one irresistible bite. Gooey mozzarella, zesty marinara, and pepperoni create a quick lunch that satisfies deep cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices bread (sourdough or white)
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese (or 1 cup/240 ml shredded mozzarella)
- 12–16 slices pepperoni
- ¼ cup (60 ml) marinara or pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch garlic powder
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Generously coat each bread slice’s exterior with butter, then dust with fragrant garlic powder and Italian seasoning for an elevated flavor profile.
- Layering Construction: Arrange mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, pepperoni, and Parmesan on the inner bread surface, strategically covering the entire slice to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Culinary Transformation: Position sandwich in a preheated medium-temperature skillet, grilling each side for approximately 3-4 minutes until the exterior achieves a crisp, golden-brown texture and the cheese melts into a luxurious, gooey consistency.
- Presentation: Carefully slice the sandwich diagonally and accompany with additional marinara sauce for an indulgent dipping experience, serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and molten cheese integrity.
Notes
- Sprinkle dried herbs and garlic powder on buttered bread for an intense taste profile that elevates the basic grilled cheese concept.
- Use room temperature cheese and low-medium heat to ensure even, smooth melting without burning the bread’s exterior.
- For vegetarian versions, swap pepperoni with roasted vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to maintain rich, savory elements.
- Press sandwich gently with a spatula while grilling to create a uniformly golden, crisp exterior that provides perfect textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg