Description

This Garlic Parmesan Pizza Grilled Cheese combines the best of both worlds: the melty comfort of grilled cheese with the bold flavors of a pizza. Sturdy sourdough or Italian bread is slathered with a garlic Parmesan butter, layered with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, then grilled to golden perfection. It’s a gooey, crispy, and satisfying sandwich perfect for a quick lunch or cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Butter Mixture

1/4 cup softened unsalted butter
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Sandwich

8 thick slices of sturdy bread (sourdough or Italian)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup pizza or marinara sauce
24 thin slices of pepperoni

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Instructions

Preheat Skillet: Warm a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat to ensure even cooking without burning the bread.
Prepare Garlic Parmesan Butter: In a bowl, combine the softened butter with grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt, mixing thoroughly to create a flavorful spread.
Butter Bread Slices: Spread half of the garlic Parmesan butter mixture onto one side of 4 bread slices, which will become the outer surface when cooking. Place these buttered sides down onto the preheated skillet.
Add Pizza Toppings: On the bread slices in the skillet, spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce each, then layer with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 6 slices of pepperoni, and the remaining mozzarella cheese to ensure a melty, layered interior.
Top Sandwiches: Spread pizza sauce on one side of the remaining 4 bread slices, then place them sauce side down on top of the cheese and pepperoni. Finally, spread the remaining garlic Parmesan butter on the top side of these slices for a golden crust.
Cook Until Golden: Grill the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side on medium-low heat, flipping carefully until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside has melted completely.
Serve: Remove from skillet, let cool slightly, cut each sandwich in half, and serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Notes

Use thick, sturdy bread like sourdough or Italian to hold the fillings well without becoming soggy.
Cooking on medium-low heat prevents the bread from burning before the cheese melts.
Feel free to customize the pepperoni quantity or add vegetables like sliced mushrooms or bell peppers for variation.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.