Everything you love about a cheesy slice gooey mozzarella, zesty sauce, and pepperoni pressed into a golden, buttery grilled cheese. It’s fast, fun, and wildly satisfying. Customize with your favorite toppings, cook on the stovetop or in the air fryer, and serve with extra sauce for dunking.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 slices bread (white, sourdough, or Texas toast)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or mini pepperoni)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- Optional toppings: cooked sausage, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms
Instructions
- Make the butter spread: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Prep the bread: Spread the butter mixture evenly on one side of each slice of bread.
- Assemble: Place 4 slices butter-side down. Top with mozzarella, pepperoni, a spoonful of pizza sauce, and any extra toppings. Close with remaining bread, butter-side up.
- Cook (stovetop): Heat a skillet or griddle over medium. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden and the cheese is melted. Cover the pan for the last minute if needed to help melt.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melty.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Variation
- Margherita: Mozzarella + tomato slices, a smear of pesto or basil leaves, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.
- Meat Lover’s: Add cooked crumbled sausage and a few slices of Canadian bacon with the pepperoni.
- Veggie Supreme: Swap pepperoni for sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and black olives; add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Cooking Notes
- Preheat the skillet so the bread starts crisping on contact, then keep heat at medium for even melting.
- If using very soft or airy bread, press gently with a spatula to help contact without squeezing out fillings.
- Overfilling leads to leaks; aim for an even layer of cheese on both sides of the sauce to ‘glue’ the sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with warm pizza sauce or marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping.
- Pair with tomato soup, Caesar salad, or a simple chopped salad for a complete meal.
- Cut into sticks or triangles for kid-friendly dunkers or party bites.
Tips
- Lower heat = perfectly melted cheese without burning.
- Swap mozzarella for provolone or a pizza blend for extra flavor.
- Air fryer: 370°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway; check early as baskets vary.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Protein: 19 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I keep the sandwich from getting soggy?
Use a thin layer of sauce, sandwich it between cheese, and avoid watery toppings (pat dry peppers/mushrooms). - Can I make these ahead?
Assemble and refrigerate up to 4 hours; cook to order. Reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat or air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes. - What cheeses work best?
Mozzarella melts great; mix with provolone for pull, or add a little cheddar or Parmesan for extra punch. - Can I bake a batch for a crowd?
Yes bake on a sheet pan at 425°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping once; brush tops with extra seasoned butter.
Conclusion
Crispy, buttery, and gloriously gooey, Pizza Grilled Cheese brings all the pizzeria vibes with weeknight ease. Customize the fillings, cook on the stovetop or in the air fryer, and serve with plenty of sauce for dunking. It’s quick comfort food that always hits the spot no delivery required.
Print
Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches (4 servings) 1x
- Diet: Kid-friendly; vegetarian if made without pepperoni; gluten-free with GF bread
Description
Everything you love about a cheesy slice gooey mozzarella, zesty sauce, and pepperoni pressed into a golden, buttery grilled cheese. It’s fast, fun, and wildly satisfying. Customize with your favorite toppings, cook on the stovetop or in the air fryer, and serve with extra sauce for dunking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 slices bread (white, sourdough, or Texas toast)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or mini pepperoni)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- Optional toppings: cooked sausage, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms
Instructions
- Make the butter spread: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Prep the bread: Spread the butter mixture evenly on one side of each slice of bread.
- Assemble: Place 4 slices butter-side down. Top with mozzarella, pepperoni, a spoonful of pizza sauce, and any extra toppings. Close with remaining bread, butter-side up.
- Cook (stovetop): Heat a skillet or griddle over medium. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden and the cheese is melted. Cover the pan for the last minute if needed to help melt.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melty.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use a light hand with sauce to prevent soggy bread; keep it mostly in the center between layers of cheese.
- Lower heat yields perfectly melted cheese without burning the crust—patience pays off.
- Texas toast or thicker bread may need an extra minute per side.
- For vegetarian, skip pepperoni; for gluten-free, use GF bread and pepperoni without fillers.
- Part-skim mozzarella melts beautifully and keeps the sandwich from feeling too heavy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sandwich, Main, Lunch, Kid-Friendly
- Method: Stovetop or Air fryer
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, pepperoni grilled cheese, mozzarella sandwich, air fryer grilled cheese, easy dinner, 15-minute meal
