Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe
A delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, combining gooey melted cheeses, savory turkey pepperoni, and flavorful marinara sauce for the perfect pizza-inspired comfort food. Easy to make and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Lunch, Snack
- Method: Skillet Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Bread and Butter
- 4 slices of bread (sourdough, white, or whole wheat)
- 2 tbsp butter (softened)
Filling
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 slices of turkey pepperoni (or your preferred topping)
Seasonings and Garnish
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (optional)
- Prepare the Bread: Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Then sprinkle the buttered side evenly with garlic powder and Italian seasoning to infuse a rich pizza flavor as it toasts.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a flat surface. Spread about ¼ cup of marinara sauce on the inside of each slice. Layer one half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan, and six slices of turkey pepperoni on one slice. Add any extra toppings if desired, then top with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
- Toast the Sandwich: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Carefully place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing down lightly with a spatula to help the sandwich brown evenly and the cheese to melt thoroughly. Flip carefully to avoid breaking the sandwich.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and allow them to cool for about a minute. Slice each sandwich in half and garnish with fresh chopped basil if using. Serve hot with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread like sourdough for the best toasted texture.
- Feel free to swap turkey pepperoni for any preferred pizza toppings such as mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Cooking on medium-low heat helps prevent the bread from burning before the cheese melts.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and add more veggies or just cheese.
- Fresh basil adds a lovely aroma and fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, grilled cheese sandwich, turkey pepperoni sandwich, easy lunch recipe, skillet sandwich