Description
A quick and easy grilled cheese sandwich inspired by pizza flavors, combining mozzarella and provolone cheeses with pizza sauce and garlic butter for a crispy, melty comfort food experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices sturdy sandwich bread (sourdough or Italian)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of Italian seasoning
- Optional toppings: thinly sliced pepperoni or sautéed mushrooms
- Fresh basil or oregano leaves for garnish or sprinkle
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare garlic butter by mixing softened unsalted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Shred mozzarella and provolone cheeses and combine in a bowl.
- Lay out two slices of bread on a flat surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly on each slice.
- Add a generous layer of the cheese blend on top of the sauce. If using, layer pepperoni or mushrooms over the cheese.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil or oregano. Top with the remaining bread slices.
- Spread garlic butter on the outside surfaces of each sandwich slice using a butter knife or brush.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on one side until golden brown and crispy.
- Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes, pressing lightly with a spatula to meld the cheese and bread.
- Remove sandwiches from the pan and let rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing diagonally and serving warm.
Notes
Use medium-low heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts. Freshly shred cheese for best melting. Butter the outside of the bread well with garlic butter for a golden crust. If cheese isn’t melting fully, cover the skillet briefly to trap heat. Avoid overfilling to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
Keywords: grilled cheese, pizza grilled cheese, comfort food, easy sandwich, mozzarella, provolone, pizza sauce, garlic butter