Can’t decide between pizza and grilled cheese? Now you don’t have to! The Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich delivers the best of both worlds—crispy garlic Texas toast layered with rich spaghetti sauce, pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all grilled to melty perfection. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s fast, fun, and packed with flavor.
Quick Benefits
- Two favorites in one: Combines pizza and grilled cheese for a crowd-pleasing fusion.
- Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal ingredients.
- Kid-friendly: A guaranteed hit with children (and adults too).
- Highly customizable: Add your favorite pizza toppings or sauces.
- Perfect for any meal: Serve as lunch, dinner, or even a game-day snack.
Essential Ingredients
- 8 tbsp spaghetti sauce – adds classic pizza flavor
- 1 box garlic Texas toast (8 slices) – crisp and buttery base
- 6 oz pepperoni slices – savory and satisfying
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese slices – the gooey, melty centerpiece
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Toast the garlic bread: Arrange the 8 slices of garlic Texas toast on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes until slightly crisp around the edges.
- Assemble the sandwich:
- Spread 1 tbsp of spaghetti sauce on 4 slices of toast.
- Add 6 pepperoni slices and 1 mozzarella slice to each.
- (Optional) Add another layer of pepperoni and cheese for extra goodness.
- Spread 1 tbsp of sauce on the remaining 4 slices, then place them sauce-side down to form sandwiches.
- Grill the sandwiches: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy the melty, pizza-inspired deliciousness.
Health Benefits
While this is a comfort food indulgence, it still has a few upsides:
- Protein-rich: Thanks to cheese and pepperoni.
- Calcium and iron: Found in the dairy and meat components.
- Energy boost: A hearty meal perfect after physical activity or during busy days.
To make it lighter, opt for turkey pepperoni, whole-grain toast, or part-skim mozzarella.
Serving Suggestions
- Slice in halves or quarters and serve on a platter for sharing.
- Add a side of warm spaghetti sauce or marinara for dipping.
- Garnish with chopped basil, parsley, or Italian seasoning.
- Serve with a green salad or roasted veggies for balance.
- For spice lovers, include pepperoncini, chili flakes, or hot sauce on the side.
Creative Variations
- Veggie Lovers: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Meat Lovers: Toss in cooked sausage or ham for more meaty layers.
- Cheese Swap: Try provolone, cheddar, or a mozzarella–parmesan mix.
- Sauce Swap: Use pesto or alfredo instead of spaghetti sauce for a twist.
- Bread Upgrade: Try sourdough, ciabatta, or focaccia for variety.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or oven for best results—avoid the microwave if you want to keep the toast crispy.
- Make-ahead tip: You can pre-toast the garlic bread and prep ingredients in advance for faster assembly later.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overfill or the ingredients may spill during grilling.
- Low and slow heat helps the cheese melt without burning the bread.
- Press gently with a spatula while grilling for better contact and melt.
- Use pre-shredded mozzarella if slices aren’t available—it still melts beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular bread instead of Texas toast?
Yes, but you may want to butter the slices and add garlic powder to get similar flavor and crispiness.
Is there a vegetarian version?
Absolutely! Just leave out the pepperoni or substitute with plant-based deli slices or extra veggies.
What kind of cheese works best?
Mozzarella is classic, but you can experiment with cheddar, provolone, or even a spicy Pepper Jack.
Can I bake the entire sandwich instead of grilling?
Yes, bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melty.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Assemble the sandwiches and store them wrapped in the fridge. Grill just before serving for the best texture.
Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich
The Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich is the ultimate fusion of two comfort food favorites—pizza and grilled cheese! Made with garlic Texas toast, layers of pepperoni, melty mozzarella, and rich spaghetti sauce, this sandwich is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. It’s a quick, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual lunches, or fun family dinners.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
8 tbsp Spaghetti Sauce
1 box Garlic Texas Toast (8 slices)
6 oz Pepperoni Slices
8 oz Mozzarella Cheese Slices
Instructions
Preheat your oven to a toasty 425°F. Lay the garlic toast slices on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 7 minutes until they begin to toast around the edges.
Once your toast is ready, spread 1 tablespoon of spaghetti sauce evenly on each of 4 garlic toast slices.
Now, stack 6 slices of pepperoni on top of the sauce—deliciously hearty!
Top each pepperoni-laden toast with 1 slice of mozzarella cheese. Yes, let’s make it cheesy!
For an extra delightful surprise, add another layer of pepperoni and mozzarella on each piece.
Take the remaining 4 slices of garlic toast and spread 1 tablespoon of spaghetti sauce on each, before placing them sauce-side down onto the glorious cheese and pepperoni layers to create your sandwich.
In the meantime, heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and drizzle a little olive oil to keep things cooking smoothly. Carefully place each sandwich in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side or until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Once the sandwiches are beautifully golden brown and irresistibly gooey, remove them from the skillet.
Serve your Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches hot, and prepare to enjoy a scrumptious blend of pizza flavors wrapped up in a classic grilled cheese sandwich!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sandwich / Main Dish
- Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 sandwiches
- Calories: ~550 per sandwich (estimated; may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes)
