Description

These 20-Minute Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are a delicious twist on a classic comfort food. Combining garlic butter, melty mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, and savory pepperoni, this recipe delivers a crispy, golden-brown sandwich with all the flavors of your favorite pizza in an easy-to-make grilled cheese form. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner that satisfies pizza cravings in under half an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Garlic Butter Blend

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Sandwich Components

8 thick slices sturdy bread such as sourdough or Italian
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
24 thin slices pepperoni

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Instructions

Prepare Garlic Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a flavorful garlic butter spread.
Butter the Bread: Spread the prepared garlic butter mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. This will help create a golden, crispy exterior when grilled.
Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and allow it to warm up. This ensures an even cook and a perfect crust.
Start Assembling the Sandwich: Place four of the bread slices butter-side down onto the hot skillet, preparing the base for the sandwiches.
Add Toppings: On each bread slice in the skillet, layer shredded mozzarella cheese, a generous spoonful of pizza sauce or marinara, and six thin slices of pepperoni to build the pizza flavors inside the sandwich.
Top with Remaining Bread: Cover each prepared base with the remaining four bread slices, butter-side up, completing the sandwich assembly.
Cook Sandwiches: Cook the sandwiches until the bottom bread is golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip each one. Continue cooking the other side until it is golden and the cheese inside has melted completely.
Serve: Once cooked, remove the sandwiches from the skillet, slice them if desired, and serve immediately while hot for the best taste experience.

Notes

For extra flavor, sprinkle a bit of extra parmesan on the sandwiches before flipping.
Use a heavy skillet or griddle for even heat distribution and crispier crust.
Feel free to substitute pepperoni with your favorite pizza toppings like cooked sausage, veggies, or mushrooms.
To avoid sogginess, do not overload the sandwich with too much sauce.
Leftover sandwiches can be reheated in a skillet on low heat to restore crispiness.