Description
A warm and comforting blend of gooey cheeses and zesty pizza flavors, wrapped in buttery bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices sturdy bread (sourdough, rustic Italian, or Texas toast)
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup (1 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup (1 oz) shredded mild cheddar or Monterey Jack
- 1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup mini beef pepperoni slices, or regular beef pepperoni, finely chopped
- Optional: 2 tbsp finely diced bell peppers (lightly sautéed & drained)
- Optional: 2 tbsp finely diced red onion (lightly sautéed)
- 2 tbsp sliced black olives, drained & chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped, or dried oregano
- Optional: 1 tbsp cooked, crumbled beef sausage or diced mushrooms (well-drained)
- 4-6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- Optional: 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- Additional marinara sauce, for dipping
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, for serving
Instructions
- Soften butter (or combine with mayonnaise for blend).
- Grate and combine all cheeses.
- Prepare toppings: chop beef pepperoni, finely dice bell peppers/red onion (sauté & drain if desired), chop olives, chop fresh basil/measure oregano, ensure beef sausage/mushrooms are cooked & well-drained.
- Measure out pizza sauce.
- Lay out bread slices.
- Spread butter/butter-mayo on one side of all 8 bread slices (this is the exterior).
- Place 4 slices, buttered-side down, as sandwich bottoms.
- Flip bottom slices, spread 1-2 tbsp pizza sauce on each unbuttered side.
- Sprinkle 1/4-1/3 of the cheese blend over sauce.
- Evenly distribute prepared toppings over cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese blend over toppings.
- Top with remaining 4 buttered bread slices, buttered-side up.
- Gently press to secure fillings.
- Preheat a large non-stick or cast-iron pan over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Carefully transfer two assembled sandwiches to the pan, buttered-side down (cook in batches if needed).
- Grill for 4-6 minutes until deep golden brown; do not press.
- Cover pan with a lid for 2-3 minutes to promote even cheese melt.
- Flip sandwiches, cover, and grill second side for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and cheese is bubbly and oozing.
- Transfer cooked sandwiches to a wire rack to prevent sogginess.
- Rest the cooked sandwiches on a cutting board for 2-3 minutes; this allows the cheese to set and crust to crisp.
- Using a sharp, serrated knife, slice each sandwich diagonally.
- Serve immediately with additional warm marinara sauce for dipping, and optional red pepper flakes.
Notes
Consider using low-moisture mozzarella for a melt that won’t leak out. Customize with your favorite herbs and toppings!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg