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Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza grilled cheese made on a pan or panini press with a crispy, golden exterior and a melty mozzarella-and-pepperoni filling. Each sandwich gets pizza sauce and Italian seasoning between buttery bread, then is 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: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sandwiches
  • 8 bread
  • 0.33 cup Butter for grilling
  • 2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup pepperoni slices
  • 0.5 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Marinara sauce for dipping

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Assemble the pizza grilled cheese
  1. Butter one side of each bread slice so the grilling side is evenly coated with a thin layer.
  2. Place bread slices with the unbuttered side up and layer shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, a spoonful of pizza sauce, and Italian seasoning over the bread.
  3. Top each filling layer with a second bread slice, buttered-side out, pressing lightly so the filling stays contained.
Grill until golden and melty
  1. Heat a skillet or panini press on medium heat and grill each sandwich for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden and the cheese is fully melted.
  2. Remove sandwiches to a plate and serve immediately while the cheese pulls and stays melty.
Serve
  1. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping alongside the sandwiches.

Notes

For the crispiest crust, use medium heat and let each side grill undisturbed for the full 3-4 minutes so the butter browns and the cheese bonds. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet to re-crisp. Freeze is not recommended because the bread can lose crunch after thawing. For a lower-fat option, use part-skim mozzarella and turkey pepperoni (still layer and grill the same way).