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A Pizza Sandwich is exactly the cheesy mashup it sounds like: a crispy, golden grilled cheese stuffed with melty mozzarella and pepperoni, served with warm pizza sauce for dipping. I made these on a lazy Friday night when the kids wanted pizza but I wanted easy, and they have been our go-to ever since. If you love our sheet pan pizza, this handheld version is ready in about 20 minutes.
It uses a flavor-packed garlic-parmesan butter on the outside, so the bread crisps into the best pizza-flavored crust.
Pizza Sandwich Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 10 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 20 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 4 sandwiches
- ⚡ Calories: 816kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Cheesy, garlicky, and loaded with pepperoni pizza flavor
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our ham and Swiss sliders
Quick Answer
Mash softened butter with parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, then spread it over one side of each bread slice. Place a slice butter-side down in a skillet, layer on mozzarella and pepperoni, top with a second slice butter-side up, cover, and cook over medium-low heat until golden on both sides and the cheese is melted. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Garlic-parmesan butter. The butter spread is mixed with parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning, so the bread crisps into a flavor-packed crust.
- Double-stacked cheese and pepperoni. Layering mozzarella and pepperoni twice means melty, pizza-loaded bites all the way through.
- Lid-on cooking. Covering the skillet traps steam to melt the thick cheese layers before the bread burns.
- Low and slow heat. Medium-low heat gives the cheese time to melt while the bread turns golden, not scorched.
- Pizza sauce for dipping. A side of warm pizza sauce turns each bite into a true pizza experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is the perfect mashup of crispy grilled cheese and cheesy pepperoni pizza.
- It comes together in about 20 minutes with just a few pantry ingredients.
- It is a guaranteed kid-pleaser, right alongside our Pizza Hut cheese sticks.
Key Ingredients
Just a handful of simple ingredients turn into the ultimate cheesy mashup. Full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- White bread: a sturdy, soft sandwich bread that crisps up golden. Thick artesano-style slices hold all the fillings.
- Mozzarella cheese: sliced low-moisture mozzarella melts into that classic gooey pizza pull.
- Pepperoni: the star pizza topping, layered between the cheese for savory, salty flavor.
- Butter, parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning: mashed together into a flavorful spread that crisps the bread.
- Pizza sauce: warmed for dipping, so every bite tastes like a slice of pizza.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
Make this pizza sandwich your own.
- Add other pizza toppings like cooked sausage, ham, mushrooms, or sliced olives.
- Swap the mozzarella for provolone, or add a sprinkle of cheddar for extra cheesiness.
- Use sourdough, Texas toast, or a hoagie roll instead of white bread.
- Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce inside the sandwich for a saucy bite.
- Turn it into a full pizza night with our buffalo chicken pizza.
How to Make Pizza Sandwich
- Mash the softened butter with the parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture over one side of each slice of bread.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low. Place a slice of bread butter-side down and layer on mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Add another slice of mozzarella, more pepperoni, and a final slice of mozzarella.
- Top with a second slice of bread, butter-side up.
- Cover and cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook until the cheese melts. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use very soft butter so it mashes smoothly with the parmesan and spreads easily.
- Cook on medium-low heat so the thick cheese melts before the bread browns too fast.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to trap steam and melt the cheese all the way through.
- Do not rush the flip. Wait until the bottom is deep golden so the sandwich holds together.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella so the sandwich does not get watery.
- Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce while the cheese is still melty.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This Pizza Sandwich is a meal on its own, but a side of warm pizza sauce or our oven-roasted tomato sauce for dipping makes it irresistible. A simple green salad balances all that cheesy richness.
Serve it up like a classic grilled-cheese-and-soup combo, pairing it with a bowl of our kale potato and sausage soup. It is also a fun addition to a pizza night spread with our Pizza Hut cheese sticks.
These are perfect for busy weeknights, after-school snacks, or game day. Make a few at once and keep them warm in a low oven so the whole family can dig in together.
Pizza Sandwich FAQs
A sturdy white sandwich bread like a thick artesano-style loaf works best because it crisps up golden and holds all the cheese and pepperoni. Sourdough, Texas toast, or Italian bread are also great choices. Avoid very thin or flimsy bread that can fall apart.
Low-moisture mozzarella is the classic pizza choice and melts into that signature gooey pull. You can also use provolone or add a little cheddar or parmesan for extra flavor. Avoid fresh mozzarella, which releases too much water.
Absolutely. Layer in cooked Italian sausage, ham, mushrooms, sliced olives, or bell peppers. Just keep the additions thin so the sandwich still cooks through evenly and the cheese melts before the bread burns.
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce inside before grilling for a saucy bite, or sprinkle extra Italian seasoning and parmesan on the outside for more flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a little heat.
Swap the white bread for sourdough or a hoagie roll, use provolone instead of mozzarella, or use turkey pepperoni for a lighter option. You can also use dairy-free butter and cheese to make it dairy-free.
Pizza sandwiches are best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer to crisp the bread back up; the microwave will make it soft.
Craving more easy comfort food? Try our oven-baked pulled pork sandwiches next for another crowd-pleasing handheld meal.
Easy Pizza Sandwich (Grilled Cheese)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter very soft
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
For assembly:
- 8 slices white bread
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 6 ounces pepperoni
- Warm pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Place the butter, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a medium-sized bowl. Mash it together until combined and smooth.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Evenly spread the butter mixture over one side of the bread slices, lay the pieces of bread, butter side up onto a sheet tray until ready to use.8 slices white bread
- Place a skillet over medium-low heat. Place a piece of bread butter side down into the skillet. Lay one piece of mozzarella on the bread. Add 6 pepperoni, another slice of mozzarella, 6 pepperonis, and 1 slice of mozzarella. Top it off by putting another piece of bread, butter side up. You may have some leftover pepperoni.12 slices mozzarella cheese, 6 ounces pepperoni
- Place a lid on the skillet (this will help melt the cheese) and cook until the bottom of the bread is golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Carefully flip the sandwich. Add the lid again and continue to cook until golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted in the center. Repeat with the other sandwiches.
- Serve immediately with warm pizza sauce for dipping.Warm pizza sauce for dipping
Notes
- Crispiness is Key: After cooking, place sandwiches on a wire rack over a cookie sheet. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- Melt Matters: Using a lid while cooking helps the cheese melt perfectly.
- Reheat Right: While microwaves are quick, using a pan or an air fryer will keep that golden brown crust intact.
- Variety is Fun: Mix and match bread types like Texas toast or Italian bread for unique textures and flavors.
- Layering Logic: A good rule of thumb is cheese, toppings, cheese! This ensures maximum meltiness.
- Dipping Delight: No pizza sauce? Tomato soup or even a dollop of ranch dressing makes for a great dipping partner.
Nutrition
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