All the cheesy, pepperoni-loaded flavor of pizza meets the buttery crunch of grilled cheese in this quick and delicious sandwich. Perfect for weeknights, game days, or anytime comfort food cravings hit.
🕒 Quick Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Dietary Tags: Vegetarian-friendly (if using cheese-only), Kid-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly
🛒 Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
8 slices white bread
12 slices mozzarella cheese
6 oz pepperoni (or turkey pepperoni for a lighter version)
Warm pizza sauce, for dipping
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make Garlic Butter
In a bowl, mix soft butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until creamy and spreadable.
2️⃣ Assemble the Sandwich
Spread the butter mixture on one side of each bread slice.
Heat a skillet to medium-low. Place one slice butter-side down.
Add:
1 slice mozzarella
6 pepperoni slices
1 more slice mozzarella
6 more pepperonis
Final slice of mozzarella
Top with a second bread slice, butter-side up.
3️⃣ Grill to Golden
Cook 3–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
4️⃣ Serve
Slice and serve hot with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
💡 Tips & Variations
Make it lighter: Use part-skim mozzarella, turkey pepperoni, and reduced-fat butter spread.
Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy salami.
Make it veggie: Skip pepperoni and add spinach, mushrooms, or olives.
Air fryer version: Cook at 375°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers wrapped in foil for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Re-crisp in a skillet or air fryer—microwave will soften the crust.
Freezer: Freeze ungrilled assembled sandwiches and cook straight from frozen with a few extra minutes per side.
🔎 Nutrition & W-W Points (per sandwich)
Estimated with regular ingredients:
Calories: ~510 | Carbs: ~33g | Protein: ~22g | Fat: ~33g
W-W Points (per sandwich):
➡️ 14 Points (full-fat cheese, regular bread, pepperoni, butter)
➡️ 9 Points (with light butter, turkey pepperoni, part-skim cheese, light bread)
💡 Use a sandwich thin or light bread to cut down points significantly.
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble and refrigerate for up to a day, then cook to order.
Q: What kind of bread works best?
A: Classic white bread crisps up beautifully, but sourdough or Italian bread adds more flavor.
Q: Can I make this in bulk for a crowd?
A: Absolutely—cook on a griddle or in a large pan to crank out multiple sandwiches at once.
📝 Final Thoughts
This Pizza Grilled Cheese is the best of both worlds—ooey-gooey melted cheese, crispy garlic bread crust, and bold pizza flavor in every bite. Perfect for grown-up cravings and picky eaters alike!