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Ingredients for Pizza Grilled Cheese including thick-cut sourdough bread, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, butter, and pizza sauce.

The Ultimate Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe

This SEO-optimized Pizza Grilled Cheese recipe combines perfectly browned, crispy bread with gooey melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and rich tomato sauce for an irresistible, mouth-watering homemade masterpiece.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sandwich Ingredients
  • 4 slices thick-cut sourdough bread or Texas toast About 1.5 oz / 42g per slice.
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter Softened. Can substitute with full-fat mayonnaise.
  • 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella cheese Freshly shredded.
  • 16 slices pepperoni About 1 oz / 30g.
  • 1/4 cup rich pizza sauce Or marinara sauce.
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese Optional, for crust enhancement.

Equipment

  • 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet Essential for maintaining even heat and achieving a golden-brown toasted crust.
  • 1 Skillet Lid or Dome Used to trap steam and melt the thick layers of mozzarella cheese quickly.

Method
 

Sandwich Assembly and Cooking
  1. Lay your thick slices of sourdough flat on a clean cutting board. Spread softened butter evenly across one side of each slice. Sprinkle the garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, and optional Parmesan cheese directly onto the buttered sides.
  2. Flip the bread slices over. Divide half of your shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the bottom two slices to create a barrier that prevents soggy bread.
  3. Spoon the rich pizza sauce directly over the bottom layers of mozzarella. Arrange the visible layers of pepperoni on top of the sauce, overlapping slightly. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and place the top slices of bread on, butter-side out.
  4. Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Carefully transfer the assembled sandwiches into the skillet.
  5. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat and accelerate cheese melting. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom crust is perfectly browned and crispy. Remove the lid, carefully slide a spatula underneath, and flip.
  6. Cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the second side is golden-brown and the cheese is completely gooey and melted. Remove from the skillet, slice diagonally, and serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Always cover the skillet with a lid while the first side cooks. This traps the steam and ensures the cheese melts perfectly before the bread burns.
Tip 2: Use low-moisture mozzarella rather than fresh mozzarella to prevent your sandwich from becoming soggy.