Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe Melty
There are some food pairings that feel so right, they make you wonder why they weren’t always together. For me, the glorious union of a cheesy pizza and a perfectly toasted grilled cheese sandwich is one of them. It’s the ultimate fusion of two beloved meals, resulting in a pizza sandwich that delivers on every level: crispy, buttery bread, a rich and tangy tomato base, and of course, that all-important, gloriously melty cheese pull. It’s the kind of meal that brings a little bit of joy to the middle of the day.
I stumbled upon this combination by accident one frantic lunchtime, trying to use up some leftover pizza sauce and a few stray slices of pepperoni. What started as a kitchen experiment quickly became a requested favourite. This Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe isn’t just about slapping some sauce in a sandwich; it’s about building layers of flavour that mimic a real pizza, all encased in the golden, crunchy exterior of a top-tier grilled cheese. The secret, as we’ll discover, is a whisper of garlic butter on the outside of the bread, which takes the whole thing to another dimension.
This recipe works wonderfully for a fun weekend lunch, a speedy after-school treat for the kids, or even a satisfying solo dinner when you want something special that comes together in under 20 minutes. It takes the humble grilled cheese and gives it a vibrant, savoury makeover that everyone seems to love.
Recipe Overview
This Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe delivers the classic Italian-American pizza flavours you adore—tangy tomato, savoury pepperoni, and fragrant oregano—all packed into a perfectly crisp and cheesy sandwich. The garlic butter crust is non-negotiable; it crisps up beautifully in the pan and adds a fantastic aromatic depth. I found during testing that a combination of mozzarella for stretch and cheddar for a sharper flavour gives the most satisfying cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 2 sandwiches
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe
- Genuine Flavour: The combination is pure bliss. You get the rich, slightly sweet tomato sauce, the salty kick from the pepperoni, and the aromatic notes of oregano, all balanced by two types of gooey, melted cheese.
- Ready in 20 Minutes: From gathering your ingredients to slicing into that cheesy masterpiece, the whole process is straightforward and takes about 20 minutes, making it ideal for a quick meal.
- Flexible Recipe: This is a brilliant base for customisation. Don’t have pepperoni? Use cooked ham or mushrooms. Want more veg? Add some finely chopped peppers or sweetcorn. You could even use some leftover filling from our Stuffed Peppers With Rice Recipe Dinner for a unique twist.
- Great for a Fun Lunch: It’s a fantastic option for a weekend lunch or a more exciting weekday meal. It has all the fun of pizza in a convenient, hand-held format.
- Family Tested: This recipe always gets compliments in my house. My youngest, who can be quite a fussy eater, asked for a second one immediately, which is the highest praise a recipe can receive!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the best results, I recommend using a good, sturdy loaf of bread that can hold all the delicious fillings without getting soggy. A thick-cut sourdough or tiger bread is fantastic. When it comes to the cheese, grating your own from a block of full-fat mozzarella will give you a much better melt than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
- 4 thick slices of sourdough bread (about 1.5-2cm thick)
- 60g salted butter, softened
- 1 large clove of garlic, minced or finely grated
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- 80g pizza sauce or passata
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 150g block mozzarella cheese, grated
- 50g mature cheddar cheese, grated
- 12-16 slices of pepperoni
- A pinch of black pepper
Ashley’s Tip: Don’t be tempted to use a very wet pizza sauce. If your sauce seems a bit thin, let it simmer in a small pan for a few minutes to thicken up. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy during cooking.
How to Make This Pizza Grilled Cheese
The process is all about layering the flavours correctly and cooking the sandwich low and slow. This ensures the cheese melts completely while the outside becomes perfectly golden brown and crisp, not burnt.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley (if using) until well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Lay the four slices of bread on a chopping board. Spread the garlic butter evenly over one side of each slice. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwiches.
- Assemble the First Layer: Flip two of the bread slices over (buttered-side down). Spread half of the pizza sauce on each of the unbuttered sides. Sprinkle with the dried oregano and a pinch of black pepper.
- Add the Cheese and Pepperoni: Divide the grated mozzarella and cheddar between the two sauce-covered slices, creating an even layer. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
- Close the Sandwiches: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, buttered-side up, to close the sandwiches. Gently press down.
- Cook the Sandwiches: Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a low-to-medium heat. Carefully place the sandwiches in the pan. You may need to cook them one at a time depending on the size of your pan.
- Grill to Perfection: Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side, until the bread is a deep golden brown. I find that covering the pan with a lid during this stage helps trap steam and melt the cheese more effectively.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the sandwiches using a spatula and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side, until equally golden and the cheese is completely melted and oozing at the sides.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the pizza grilled cheese to a cutting board and let it rest for a minute. This allows the cheese to set slightly, so it doesn’t all escape when you slice it. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature Control is Key: The biggest mistake people make with grilled cheese is having the heat too high. A low-to-medium heat is essential. It allows the bread to toast slowly and evenly, giving the cheese inside plenty of time to melt into a gooey pool of deliciousness.
- The Secret Step: Once you place the sandwich in the pan, press down on it gently with your spatula for about 10 seconds. I learned that this small step ensures the entire surface of the bread makes contact with the pan, leading to a much more even and crisp crust.
- Make-Ahead: While the sandwich is best assembled and cooked fresh, you can definitely make the garlic butter ahead of time. It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also grate your cheeses in advance.
- Storage: Honestly, this is a dish best enjoyed straight from the pan. If you do have leftovers, wrap them tightly in foil and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a dry frying pan over a low heat to bring back some of the crispiness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the Pan: Don’t try to squeeze too many sandwiches into the pan at once. This lowers the pan’s temperature and can cause the sandwiches to steam rather than toast, resulting in a less-than-crispy crust. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Using High Heat: It’s tempting to rush the process, but high heat will burn the butter and bread long before the cheese has a chance to melt. Patience and a lower temperature are your best friends here.
- Slicing Too Soon: Let the sandwich rest for at least 60 seconds before you cut into it. This brief rest stops the molten cheese from flooding out, ensuring more of it stays inside the sandwich where it belongs.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adapt it to your own tastes or what you have in the fridge.
- Spicy Version: Add a pinch of chilli flakes to your pizza sauce, or layer in a few slices of fresh jalapeño with the pepperoni for a fiery kick.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the pepperoni and add some sliced mushrooms, black olives, or finely chopped red onion. For a vegan pizza grilled cheese, use a dairy-free butter alternative, your favourite brand of vegan melting cheese, and a plant-based pepperoni.
- Different Meats: Swap the pepperoni for crumbled cooked sausage, shredded leftover chicken, or thin slices of prosciutto for a different flavour profile.
What to Serve With Your Pizza Grilled Cheese
While this pizza sandwich is a magnificent meal on its own, a few simple pairings can elevate it even further.
- Tomato Soup: The ultimate partner for any grilled cheese. Use the extra pizza sauce or passata to whip up a simple tomato soup for dipping. It’s also fantastic alongside a bowl of our Lentil Soup Recipe Hearty Comfort for a really substantial meal.
- A Simple Green Salad: A handful of rocket or mixed leaves tossed in a sharp lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the cheese and butter.
- A Refreshing Drink: This is a fantastic lunch, especially when paired with a refreshing Instant Coffee Iced Coffee Recipe Brew on a warmer day, or a cold pint of lager for a weekend treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley (if using) until well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Lay the four slices of bread on a chopping board. Spread the garlic butter evenly over one side of each slice. This buttered side will be the outside of your sandwiches.
- Assemble the First Layer: Flip two of the bread slices over (buttered-side down). Spread half of the pizza sauce on each of the unbuttered sides. Sprinkle with the dried oregano and a pinch of black pepper.
- Add the Cheese and Pepperoni: Divide the grated mozzarella and cheddar between the two sauce-covered slices, creating an even layer. Arrange the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
- Close the Sandwiches: Place the remaining two slices of bread on top, buttered-side up, to close the sandwiches. Gently press down.
- Cook the Sandwiches: Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a low-to-medium heat. Carefully place the sandwiches in the pan. You may need to cook them one at a time depending on the size of your pan.
- Grill to Perfection: Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side, until the bread is a deep golden brown. I find that covering the pan with a lid during this stage helps trap steam and melt the cheese more effectively.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the sandwiches using a spatula and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side, until equally golden and the cheese is completely melted and oozing at the sides.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the pizza grilled cheese to a cutting board and let it rest for a minute. This allows the cheese to set slightly, so it doesn't all escape when you slice it. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Notes
I really hope this recipe brings as much cheesy, pizza-filled joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. It’s a fun, satisfying, and delicious way to combine two of the best foods on the planet. If you give this Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe a go, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing about your creations!
Happy cooking,
Ashley
