The Best Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe That Melts in Your Mouth

I love a sandwich that feels like cheating—pizza toppings melted between buttery bread is exactly that, and I’ll confess I’ve made this for dinner on a Tuesday and pretended it was fine (it was). One tiny note: use good bread if you can (country loaf from the farmer’s market is worth the five extra minutes driving — trust me). The smell of mozzarella and warm tomato sauce hitting browned butter will make anyone stop what they’re doing and come to the kitchen (even your teenager, who swears they’re not hungry).

Why this pizza grilled cheese hits the spot

• Crispy, buttery bread plus molten cheese equals instant comfort (science-adjacent fact).
• Pizza sauce adds tomato brightness — no awkward condiment decisions.
• Pepperoni gives that salty, nostalgic bite without needing a full pizza oven.
• If you like swapping skillet meals, try it alongside something lighter, like this blueberry cottage cheese breakfast bake for a weekend brunch mix-and-match.

A tiny kitchen moment worth remembering

I once made these for a whole pile of tired teens after a church practice (they demolished them). It was the sort of night where a simple pan and two loaves of bread felt like the answer to everything.

What you’ll need

1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft, 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, 4 slices of bread, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1/4 cup pepperoni slices (optional)

How to make it (easy steps)

1. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter and grated parmesan cheese together. Spread the mixture on one side of each slice of bread.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, in the skillet.
3. On each slice, layer mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni slices if desired.
4. Top with the remaining two slices of bread, buttered side up.
5. Cook until golden brown on one side, then carefully flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and bread is toasted.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!
   If you want a sweet contrast, serve with something like these hearty banana cottage cheese pancakes — I’m not saying it’s classic, I’m saying it works.

Quick unit helper

Need to swap tablespoons for grams or cups for ounces? This little converter makes it painless.

Little trick that saves the day

Butter the outside of the bread and let it sit a minute before it hits the pan — the butter soaks in just enough to brown perfectly without burning. Also, press gently with a spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt evenly (and to avoid dramatic cheese escapes).

A warm nudge: grab a cast-iron skillet if you have one — it browns these like a dream and you’ll smile the whole time.

Got questions?

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