This Garlic Parmesan Pizza Grilled Cheese takes the beloved grilled cheese sandwich to a new level by infusing it with the irresistible flavors of pizza. With crispy, buttery bread and gooey mozzarella, this sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack.
Ingredients
Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- ¼ cup softened unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Grilled Cheese:
- 8 thick slices of sturdy bread (sourdough or Italian)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pizza or marinara sauce
- 24 thin slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt until well combined.
- Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spread half of the garlic Parmesan butter on one side of four bread slices.
- Place the buttered side down on a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
- Add Pizza Toppings:
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each slice of bread in the skillet.
- Sprinkle about ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the sauce.
- Arrange six pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.
- Top and Butter the Sandwiches:
- Spread the remaining bread slices with pizza sauce and place them sauce side down on top of the mozzarella cheese.
- Spread the remaining garlic Parmesan butter on the top of the bread slices.
- Cook the Sandwiches:
- Cook the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve:
- Let the sandwiches cool slightly, then cut them in half and serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Helpful Tips
- Bread Choice: Choose a sturdy bread like sourdough or Italian to hold the ingredients and maintain a nice crunch.
- Extra Crispy: For extra crispiness, cook the sandwiches over medium-low heat to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly without burning the bread.
- Additional Toppings: Feel free to add other toppings like olives, bell peppers, or mushrooms for a more loaded pizza flavor.
FAQs
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
- Yes, you can substitute mozzarella with provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses for different flavors.
- How can I make it vegetarian?
- Omit the pepperoni and replace it with sliced mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers.
- Can I make this in a panini press?
- Absolutely! A panini press will give a great texture and evenly melted cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a simple side salad or a cup of soup for a complete meal.
- Offer additional dipping sauces like ranch or garlic aioli for more flavor.
Servings
- This recipe makes 4 sandwiches.
Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
Enjoy this cheesy, flavorful twist on a classic grilled cheese!
Recipe Card
Garlic Parmesan Pizza Grilled Cheese
This Garlic Parmesan Pizza Grilled Cheese takes the beloved grilled cheese sandwich to a new level by infusing it with the irresistible flavors of pizza. With crispy, buttery bread and gooey mozzarella, this sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack.
Ingredients
Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- – ¼ cup softened unsalted butter
- – 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- – 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- – ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- – ¼ teaspoon salt
Grilled Cheese:
- – 8 thick slices of sturdy bread sourdough or Italian
- – 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- – ½ cup pizza or marinara sauce
- – 24 thin slices pepperoni
Instructions
Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- – In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt until well combined.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
- – Spread half of the garlic Parmesan butter on one side of four bread slices.
- – Place the buttered side down on a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
Add Pizza Toppings:
- – Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce on each slice of bread in the skillet.
- – Sprinkle about ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the sauce.
- – Arrange six pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
- – Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.
Top and Butter the Sandwiches:
- – Spread the remaining bread slices with pizza sauce and place them sauce side down on top of the mozzarella cheese.
- – Spread the remaining garlic Parmesan butter on the top of the bread slices.
Cook the Sandwiches:
- – Cook the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.
Serve:
- – Let the sandwiches cool slightly, then cut them in half and serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.