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Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza grilled cheese with crispy, golden bread and melty mozzarella stuffed with pepperoni and pizza sauce. Pan-griddled until the cheese fully melts, then served with warm marinara for dipping.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 930
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sandwiches
  • 8 bread Sliced, about sandwich size.
  • 0.5 cup Butter Use enough to fully coat the outside of the bread slices.
  • 2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded Shred for best melt.
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices Drain if very oily.
  • 0.5 cup pizza sauce For the filling inside the sandwich.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning Toss into the filling layer.
  • 0.5 cup Marinara sauce for dipping Warm before serving.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Assemble and grill
  1. Butter one side of each bread slice so the outside browns evenly.
  2. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, layer mozzarella, pepperoni slices, a spoonful of pizza sauce, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Top each filled slice with a second bread slice, buttered-side out, to form 4 sandwiches.
  4. Grill on medium heat or a panini press for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and the cheese melts and pulls slightly when lifted.
  5. Serve hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

For the meltiest center, keep the heat at medium and press lightly so the filling contacts the bread; the outside should turn golden before the cheese fully loosens. Store leftover sandwiches covered in the fridge up to 3 days, reheat in a skillet over medium-low until hot and crisp again (freezing not recommended for best texture). For a lighter option, use part-skim mozzarella and turkey pepperoni while keeping the same layering method.