This Pizza Grilled Cheese sandwich combines two beloved comfort foods into one incredible handheld masterpiece. Gooey melted cheese, zesty pizza sauce, and savory pepperoni are nestled between slices of buttery garlic bread for a quick meal that delivers all the flavors of pizza in grilled cheese form. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you’re craving something indulgent but don’t have time for delivery!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dinner in Minutes: From start to finish, these sandwiches come together in just 15 minutes – faster than delivery and twice as satisfying!
- Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will devour these sandwiches. The familiar flavors of pizza in a fun new format are guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.
- Customizable: Just like your favorite pizza, you can adapt these sandwiches with whatever toppings you love. It’s the perfect way to use up bits and pieces in your fridge.
- Comfort Food Fusion: This recipe perfectly combines the nostalgic appeal of grilled cheese with the beloved flavors of pizza – it’s like getting two comfort foods in one delicious package.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bread: Texas toast works beautifully here because of its thickness and ability to hold up to all the fillings. The extra sturdiness prevents sogginess and gives you that perfect crispy exterior.
- Butter: Unsalted butter creates the base for our garlic spread. Its richness helps achieve that golden-brown crust that makes grilled cheese irresistible.
- Parmesan cheese: Added both to the butter spread and inside the sandwich, it brings a nutty, salty dimension that elevates the flavor profile beyond regular grilled cheese.
- Garlic powder & Italian seasoning: These transform regular butter into an aromatic garlic bread experience. The herbs infuse every bite with classic Italian flavor.
- Pizza sauce: The tangy foundation of any good pizza, it brings moisture and that distinctive pizza flavor. A little goes a long way!
- Mozzarella cheese: The star of the show – creates those perfect cheese pulls when you bite into your sandwich. Its mild flavor lets the other ingredients shine.
- Pepperoni: Adds a spicy, savory punch and that authentic pizza experience. The edges crisp up beautifully when heated in the sandwich.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to mix things up? Try these delicious twists:
- Veggie Lover’s: Skip the pepperoni and load up with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach.
- Meat Lover’s: Add cooked Italian sausage crumbles, bacon bits, and ham along with the pepperoni.
- Buffalo Chicken: Use shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce instead of pepperoni.
- Margherita Style: Add fresh basil leaves and sliced tomatoes for a fresher take.
- BBQ Twist: Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and use cheddar cheese with grilled chicken.
How to Make Pizza Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Spread
In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well-incorporated. This fragrant spread will elevate your sandwich from good to absolutely irresistible.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwiches
Lay out all four bread slices on your work surface. Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce in a thin layer over each slice – don’t overdo it or your sandwich might get soggy. Place one slice of mozzarella on each piece of bread, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese over two of the slices. Arrange 8 pepperoni slices on top of the shredded cheese.
Step 3: Build and Butter
Carefully place one cheese-only slice on top of each pepperoni-topped slice, sauce side in, creating two complete sandwiches. Spread your prepared garlic butter mixture generously on the outside of one side of each sandwich.
Step 4: Grill to Perfection
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place both sandwiches butter-side down in the pan. Now spread the remaining garlic butter on the top sides of the sandwiches. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side for another 3-5 minutes until equally golden and the cheese inside has melted completely.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Transfer to plates and serve while still hot and gooey, with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is properly softened but not melted for the best spread. This ensures even coverage and better browning.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Keep your heat at medium to prevent burning the garlic in the butter spread. Patience yields the perfect crispy exterior while giving the cheese time to melt completely.
- Press Gently: Use a spatula to lightly press the sandwich as it cooks. This helps everything meld together and ensures maximum cheese meltage.
- Pat Pepperoni Dry: If your pepperoni is particularly oily, give it a quick pat with paper towels before adding it to your sandwich to prevent excess grease.
- Rest Briefly: Let the sandwiches rest for one minute after cooking to allow the cheese to set slightly, making for neater eating.
How to Serve
This Pizza Grilled Cheese works wonderfully as a standalone meal, but here are some serving suggestions to round out your dining experience:
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve with a small cup of warm marinara or pizza sauce for dipping
- Add a simple side salad with Italian dressing for a complete meal
- Pair with tomato soup for the ultimate comfort food combination
Presentation Ideas:
- Cut diagonally to showcase those beautiful cheese pulls
- Sprinkle with a little extra Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan before serving
- Serve on a wooden cutting board for casual family-style appeal
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While best enjoyed fresh and hot, you can store assembled but uncooked sandwiches in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Simply wrap tightly in plastic wrap, keeping the butter spread separate until ready to cook.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing fully assembled sandwiches, but you can freeze the garlic butter spread for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Just thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Reheating
If you have leftover cooked sandwiches, store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to maintain the crispy exterior, or wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Microwaving is convenient but will sacrifice the crispy texture.
FAQs
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Can I use different bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Texas toast provides excellent structure and flavor, you can use sourdough, Italian bread, or even regular sandwich bread. Just be aware that thinner bread may cook faster and hold less filling, so adjust accordingly.
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My cheese isn’t melting completely before the bread gets too brown. What am I doing wrong?
Your heat is likely too high. Try lowering the temperature and placing a lid on your pan for a minute or two to help the cheese melt without burning the bread. Another trick is to grate your cheese instead of using slices for faster melting.
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Can I make this recipe ahead for a quick lunch?
You can prepare the garlic butter spread in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also pre-assemble the sandwiches without the outer butter and wrap them tightly in plastic. When ready to eat, just apply the butter and cook. Pre-assembled sandwiches are best used within 24 hours.
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How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Simply omit the pepperoni and add your favorite vegetables instead! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, or spinach make great vegetarian alternatives. You could also add plant-based pepperoni substitutes available at many grocery stores.
Final Thoughts
This Pizza Grilled Cheese sandwich brings together the best of two comfort food worlds in one easy, delicious package. It’s my go-to recipe when I want something satisfying but don’t have time for takeout or a complicated meal. The garlicky, buttery exterior with that molten cheese center is absolutely irresistible! Whether you’re feeding picky kids or treating yourself after a long day, this sandwich delivers all the flavor of pizza with the comforting simplicity of grilled cheese. Give it a try tonight – I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your quick dinner rotation!
Print
Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pizza Grilled Cheese combines the classic comfort of grilled cheese with delicious pizza flavors. Thick Texas toast is layered with pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, pepperoni, and a savory garlic butter spread, then grilled to golden, melty perfection—perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter Spread
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sandwich
- 4 slices bread (such as Texas toast)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping if desired
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Spread: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Set the mixture aside.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out the bread slices on a flat surface. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly over each slice. Place one slice of mozzarella cheese on each piece of bread. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese over two of the bread slices. Arrange 8 slices of pepperoni on top of the shredded cheese on these two slices.
- Form the Sandwiches: Place the remaining two slices of bread (sauce and cheese side down) over the pepperoni and shredded cheese topped slices to form two sandwiches. Each sandwich should now be layered with sauce, two types of cheese, and pepperoni.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Generously spread the prepared garlic butter mixture on one side of each sandwich.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches, buttered-side down, into the skillet. Spread the remaining garlic butter mixture over the top slices of bread. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and crisp and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice as desired, and serve immediately. Serve with additional pizza sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
- Store leftover sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- Reheat sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
- For extra cheese, add more shredded mozzarella or use a cheese blend.
- Feel free to customize the fillings with your favorite pizza toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
