Description

This Pizza Grilled Cheese is a decadent twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, combining a blend of mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and optional cheddar or Monterey Jack cheeses melted with savory pizza toppings like mini beef pepperoni, sautéed bell peppers, red onions, olives, and fresh herbs, all sandwiched between buttery, toasted bread and served with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Perfect for a comforting lunch or casual dinner that satisfies pizza cravings in sandwich form.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

8 slices sturdy bread (sourdough, rustic Italian, or Texas toast)

Cheese Blend

1 cup (4 oz) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup (1 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: 1/4 cup (1 oz) shredded mild cheddar or Monterey Jack

Toppings

1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
1/4 cup mini beef pepperoni slices, or regular beef pepperoni, finely chopped
Optional: 2 tbsp finely diced bell peppers (lightly sautéed & drained)
Optional: 2 tbsp finely diced red onion (lightly sautéed)
2 tbsp sliced black olives, drained & chopped
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped, or dried oregano
Optional: 1 tbsp cooked, crumbled beef sausage or diced mushrooms (well-drained)

Other

4–6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Optional: 2 tbsp mayonnaise (to blend with butter)
Additional marinara sauce, for dipping
Optional: Red pepper flakes, for serving

Instructions

Prepare Ingredients (Mise en Place): Soften the unsalted butter, optionally blending it with mayonnaise if desired for spreading. Grate and combine all cheeses in a bowl. Prepare toppings by chopping mini beef pepperoni or finely chopping regular pepperoni, sautéing and draining diced bell peppers and red onions if using, chopping olives, and chopping fresh basil or measuring dried oregano. Ensure any optional sausage or mushrooms are cooked thoroughly and well-drained. Measure out the marinara or pizza sauce. Arrange bread slices ready for assembly.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread the softened butter or butter-mayo blend evenly on one side of all 8 bread slices; this buttered side will become the crispy exterior of the sandwich. Place 4 slices buttered-side down on a flat surface as the sandwich bottoms. Flip these bottom slices so the unbuttered side is facing up. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each unbuttered side, then sprinkle about one-quarter to one-third of the cheese blend evenly over the sauce. Distribute the prepared toppings evenly over the cheese layer, followed by a sprinkle of the remaining cheese blend. Top each sandwich with the remaining 4 bread slices, buttered-side up. Gently press the sandwiches to secure the fillings without squashing them.
Grill to Golden Perfection: Preheat a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Carefully place two assembled sandwiches buttered-side down in the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Grill for 4 to 6 minutes per side without pressing the sandwich, allowing a deep golden crust to form. Cover the pan with a lid for 2 to 3 minutes during cooking to help melt the cheese evenly. After the first side is done, carefully flip the sandwiches, cover, and grill the second side an additional 4 to 6 minutes until it is also golden brown and the cheese inside is bubbly and melted. The total cook time is about 10 to 15 minutes per sandwich. Remove sandwiches from the pan and place on a wire rack to prevent sogginess.
Rest, Slice, and Serve: Let the grilled sandwiches rest for 2 to 3 minutes on a cutting board to allow the cheese to set and the crust to crisp further. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice each sandwich diagonally for an appealing presentation. Serve immediately with additional warm marinara sauce for dipping and red pepper flakes if desired for a spicy kick.

Notes

Use sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast for best results to hold the fillings and achieve a crispy crust.
Lightly sauté and drain the bell peppers and onions to reduce moisture and prevent sogginess.
Covering the pan while grilling helps melt the cheese thoroughly without burning the bread.
Allowing the sandwiches to rest after cooking improves texture and prevents cheese from spilling out.
Batch cook sandwiches if your pan is small to maintain even cooking and crispness.
Optional mayonnaise blended with butter adds extra moisture and flavor to the crust.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Lunch
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American-Italian

Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, pizza sandwich, comfort food, easy lunch, mozzarella, pepperoni, cheesy sandwich