This Pizza Grilled Cheese is crispy, gooey, and packed with layers of melted mozzarella and pepperoni, all wrapped up in a golden, garlic-parmesan buttered crust. I made this for the first time on a rainy Saturday when my kids were begging for pizza but I didn't feel like ordering out. It's the kind of fun pizza-inspired lunch that tastes like you're eating something indulgent but comes together in just 20 minutes.
If you love easy, cheesy comfort food, you'll also want to try my Cheesy Taco Sticks and Pink Sauce Pasta for more crowd-pleasing flavors.
Why You will Love This Pizza Grilled Cheese
Pizza in sandwich form. All the flavors of pizza, but easier to eat and faster to make.
Crispy garlic butter crust. The garlic-parmesan butter spread makes the bread golden, crunchy, and ridiculously flavorful.
Gooey, melty cheese. Three layers of mozzarella mean every bite is packed with cheesy goodness.
Quick and easy. Just 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, and you're done.
Perfect for kids and adults. Everyone loves this pepperoni and cheese sandwich. If you're looking for more easy, kid-friendly meals, Dumpling Bake and Marry Me Chickpeas are just as satisfying.
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Pizza Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Here's what you need for this best pizza grilled cheese recipe.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Garlic Butter Spread:
- Unsalted butter , very soft: Creates the crispy, golden crust and adds richness. Make sure it's soft enough to spread easily.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that tastes just like pizza crust.
- Garlic powder: Gives the butter that classic garlic bread flavor.
- Dried Italian seasoning: Adds herby, pizza-inspired notes with oregano, basil, and thyme.
Sandwich Assembly:
- White bread: Soft, pillowy bread works best for grilled cheese. You can use sourdough or whole wheat if you prefer.
- Mozzarella cheese: Use thick deli-style slices for the best melt and cheese pull. Freshly sliced mozzarella works better than pre-packaged.
- Pepperoni: Adds savory, slightly spicy pizza flavor. Use regular or turkey pepperoni.
- Warm pizza sauce, for dipping: Marinara or your favorite pizza sauce makes the perfect dipping companion.
how to make Pizza Grilled Cheese
This pizza-flavored grilled cheese comes together in just a few easy steps.
- Make the garlic butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir until everything is smooth and well mixed.
- Prepare the bread: Spread the garlic butter evenly over one side of each slice of bread. Place the slices buttered side up on a sheet tray while you get ready to assemble the sandwiches.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place one slice of bread butter side down in the skillet. Layer one slice of mozzarella, 6 pepperoni slices, another slice of mozzarella, 6 more pepperoni slices, and a final slice of mozzarella on top. Finish with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
- Cook the sandwiches: Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it's golden and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
- Serve: Serve the sandwiches immediately with warm pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Substitutions and Variations
Bread: Swap white bread for sourdough, Italian bread, or whole wheat for a different texture and flavor.
Cheese: Use provolone, cheddar, or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan for a different cheesy twist.
Pepperoni: Try turkey pepperoni, salami, or cooked sausage crumbles. You can also skip the meat for a vegetarian version.
Add-ins: Add sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, or sautéed mushrooms for extra pizza-inspired flavor.
Pizza grilled cheese air fryer: Cook at 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Make ahead: Assemble the sandwiches and freeze them wrapped in foil. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Equipment
- Skillet: A heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan works best for even heat distribution and crispy bread.
- Medium bowl: For mixing the garlic butter spread.
- Spatula: To flip the sandwiches carefully without squishing them.
- Sheet tray (optional): For resting finished sandwiches on a wire rack to keep them crispy.
- Knife and cutting board: For slicing the sandwiches or prepping any add-ins.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftover pizza grilled cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bread will soften, but it still tastes great.
Freezer: Wrap assembled, uncooked sandwiches tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until crispy and warmed through. You can also use a toaster oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
What to Serve with Pizza Grilled Cheese
This garlic butter grilled cheese pairs beautifully with all kinds of simple sides.
Tomato soup: A classic combo. Dip the sandwich right into the soup for ultimate comfort food vibes.
Side salad: A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness of the sandwich.
French fries or tater tots: Crispy, salty fries or tots make the perfect side for this cheesy sandwich.
Fresh fruit: Sliced apples, grapes, or strawberries add a light, refreshing contrast.
For more easy, kid-friendly dinners, try Pineapple Chicken and Rice or Onion Ring Chips.
Expert Tips
Use soft butter. Very soft butter spreads easily and creates an even, crispy crust. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before starting.
Cook over medium-low heat. This gives the cheese time to melt without burning the bread. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the cheese melts.
Cover the skillet. Using a lid traps heat and helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly.
Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook sandwiches one or two at a time so they have room to cook evenly and get crispy.
Rest on a wire rack. If making multiple sandwiches, place finished ones on a wire rack over a sheet tray to keep them crispy instead of stacking them.
FAQ
Grilled cheese became popular in the United States in the 1920s when sliced bread and processed cheese became widely available. During the Great Depression, it was an affordable, filling meal. The sandwich was originally called a "cheese dream." My daughter Lillian thinks it should still be called that because it sounds cooler.
Pizza Margherita was created in 1889 to honor Queen Margherita of Italy. 2. Americans eat about 350 slices of pizza per second. 3. The world's largest pizza was over 13,000 square feet. 4. Pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping in the U.S. 5. The first pizzeria in America opened in New York City in 1905.
A grilled cheese sandwich that appeared to have the face of the Virgin Mary on it sold for $28,000 on eBay in 2004. The sandwich was partially eaten and had been kept for 10 years. It became famous as the "Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese" and was purchased by an online casino for publicity.
The best cheeses for grilled cheese are cheddar (sharp or mild), Gruyère (nutty and melty), and American cheese (creamy and smooth). Mozzarella is great for pizza grilled cheese because it melts beautifully and has that classic cheese pull. Mixing cheeses gives you the best flavor and texture.
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Pairing
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Pizza Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Spread the seasoned butter evenly over one side of each slice of bread. Lay buttered side up on a sheet tray until ready to use.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Place one slice of bread, butter side down, in the skillet.
- Layer a slice of mozzarella on the bread, followed by 6 pepperoni slices, another mozzarella slice, 6 more pepperonis, and a final mozzarella slice.
- Top with a second slice of bread, butter side up. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt.
- Cook until the bottom slice is golden brown, about 3–5 minutes. Flip carefully and cook the other side until golden and cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
- Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
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