Pizza Grilled Cheese (Print)

Toasted bread layered with melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and tangy marinara sauce, perfect for a quick meal.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices Italian bread or sourdough

→ Cheese & Meats

02 - 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
03 - 12 to 16 slices pepperoni

→ Sauce

04 - 1/4 cup marinara sauce, plus extra for dipping

→ For Cooking

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Lay out the bread slices and spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice.
02 - Place two bread slices butter side down and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce evenly on the unbuttered sides.
03 - Layer mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then top with pepperoni slices.
04 - Place the remaining bread slices on top with the buttered side facing up, forming two sandwiches.
05 - Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese melts.
07 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for one minute, then slice diagonally.
08 - Serve warm with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like two comfort foods collided in the best way possible, without any pretense or fuss.
  • Twenty minutes from ingredient to table means you can satisfy a serious craving without overthinking it.
  • The golden, buttery crust gives way to molten cheese and pepperoni that somehow feels both indulgent and totally doable on a weeknight.
02 -
  • Low-moisture mozzarella is non-negotiable; fresh mozzarella will release too much liquid and turn your sandwich into a soggy mess no matter how carefully you cook it.
  • Medium heat is your friend here, because high heat will char the bread dark and angry before the interior even gets warm, while too-low heat results in bread that sweats instead of crisping.
  • Pressing gently while cooking accelerates the melting and helps the pepperoni release its oils into the cheese, creating that complex, savory flavor you're really after.
03 -
  • Soften your butter on the counter for 10 minutes before spreading; cold butter tears bread, but room-temperature butter glides across like it's meant to be there.
  • If your skillet is small, cook the sandwiches one at a time over slightly lower heat, giving each one the full attention it deserves and preventing a traffic jam on the cooking surface.
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