Pizza Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Toasted bread layered with melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and marinara sauce for a delicious warm treat.

# What You Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices Italian bread or sourdough

→ Cheese & Meats

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

→ Sauce

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

→ For Cooking

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cheese stretches and pools into every corner while the pepperoni edges get slightly crispy.
  • You get that satisfying crunch of toasted bread without any of the complicated steps.
  • It comes together faster than ordering delivery, and tastes infinitely better.
02 -
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable; I learned this by burning the outside while the cheese stayed cold inside, and I'll never do it again.
  • Don't press down hard while cooking or you'll squeeze all the cheese right out the sides onto the pan where it belongs only in your mouth.
03 -
  • Softening the butter for 5 minutes at room temperature makes it spread like a dream without ripping the bread.
  • The moment you see golden-brown spots appearing on the bread is your signal to flip, not before.
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