This tasty pizza grilled cheese sandwich is the best comfort food mash up! Made with garlic bread, marinara sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, this super gooey grilled cheese is perfect for both kids and adults!
This post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated for content.
Trying to stay creative with meals that my kids don't get sick of can be overwhelming, to say the least. These easy grilled cheese sandwiches are great for lunches, dinner or even cut in quarters for party snacks. Customize them with your favorite pizza toppings for even more fun!
Serve these gooey grilled cheese sandwiches with a bowl of creamy tomato soup, mac and cheese or crispy potato wedges!
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🍕 Ingredient notes
- Bread - White bread or texas toast makes the best bread for grilled cheese. French or Italian bread, ciabatta bread or bagels make for fun alternatives!
- Cheese - I love using mozzarella cheese for these grilled cheese sandwiches because it's gooey, melts easily and is the most like regular pizza.
- Pepperoni - I prefer using mini sized pepperoni slices because they have a tendency to stay on the sandwich best. Larger slices may be used as well, but I recommend cutting them into smaller pieces or layering them with the cheese.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Toppings - Try grilled veggies, italian sausage or mini meatballs as a substitute for the pepperoni for other fun versions of this tasty grilled cheese.
- Cheese - Add a couple tablespoons of ricotta cheese or cream cheese for an extra gooey pizza grilled cheese!
- Dairy Free - Dairy free mozzarella cheese and butter can be substituted for a dairy free version of this grilled cheese. Cook the sandwiches on low heat to prevent burning as dairy free cheese typically takes longer to melt.
🔪 Step by step instructions
First, spread each slice of bread with butter and sprinkle with both the garlic powder and italian seasoning.
Spread the inside of the slices of bread with the marinara and then top four of the slices with cheese and pepperoni.
Place the other slices of buttered bread with marinara on top of the toppings so the buttered sides are facing out and the cheese, sauce and pepperoni are in the middle.
Cook a preheated cast iron skillet or electric griddle for about 2-3 minutes on each side till golden brown and the cheese is melted.
⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to spread the butter from crust to crust on each side of the bread for even browning and cooking.
- Press down the pepperoni slices and cheese into the bread with marinara to help make sure they stick and don't fall out.
- If the outsides of the sandwiches are browned and the cheese is not melting, lower the heat and place a pot lid on top of the sandwich to help create more heat for the cheese to melt without the sandwich burning.
🥘 Alternative cooking methods
- Oven Baked - Assemble the sandwiches as directed and place on a sheet pan. Bake at 350˚ for 10-15 minutes, flipping half way through, until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is golden brown. Sandwiches can be placed under the broiler for 30-60 seconds for additional browning if needed.
- Air Fryer - Assemble the sandwiches as directed and place in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375˚ for 3-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
🥡 Storage suggestions
These sandwiches will keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Sandwiches can be reheated in pan on a stovetop, under the broiler in the oven or in the air fryer till the outside is crispy and the inside is heated through.
🍕 More pizza recipes
If you loved this recipe for pepperoni pizza grilled cheese, check out these other pizza recipes that I know you will love too!
Don't forget! If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.
Print📖 Recipe
Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Pepperoni
This tasty pizza grilled cheese sandwich is the best comfort food mash up! Made with garlic bread, marinara sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, this super gooey grilled cheese is perfect for both kids and adults!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes, Snacks
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 slices white bread
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
Instructions
- Spread softened butter on one side of each of the slices of bread and sprinkle each buttered side with the garlic powder and italian seasoning.
- Spread the marinara on the inside of each of the slices of buttered bread and then sprinkle the cheese and pepperoni on the top of the sauce on four of the slices.
- Add the remaining slices of buttered bread with marinara on top of the slices of bread with the toppings. The buttered sides should be facing out with the sauce, cheese and pepperoni in the middle.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or electric griddle over medium low heat. Cook sandwiches for 2-3 minutes each side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, pepperoni pizza grilled cheese
Elizabeth says
So delicious! Great recipe!
Amanda says
Thank you so much!
Swathi says
Gooey pizza with grilled cheese so yumm.
Amanda says
Thank you!
Luca says
This is such a perfect snack and it feels like the perfect Sunday evening food!
Amanda says
I agree! Thanks!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
My mouth is literally watering. I wish this were in front of me.
Amanda says
thank you so much!
Jamie says
My niece loves this! Perfect for lunch!
Amanda says
Awesome, so happy to hear that!
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings says
OMG I am so into all things pizza flavored. These are delicious!
Amanda says
Thank you!
Rob says
Pizza, grilled cheese, pepperoni! Best of all worlds!
Amanda says
Agreed!
Andréa Janssen says
This looks so delicious!
Amanda says
Thank you so much!
Jill says
These were the perfect after school snack for my kids!
Amanda says
My kids love them for after school snacks too!
Jeri says
What a fun spin on grilled cheese sandwiches! We liked these MUCH better! Thanks!
Amanda says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for trying the recipe!