Description
Everything you love about a cheesy slice gooey mozzarella, zesty sauce, and pepperoni pressed into a golden, buttery grilled cheese. It’s fast, fun, and wildly satisfying. Customize with your favorite toppings, cook on the stovetop or in the air fryer, and serve with extra sauce for dunking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, very soft
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 slices bread (white, sourdough, or Texas toast)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or mini pepperoni)
- 1/4 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- Optional toppings: cooked sausage, olives, bell peppers, mushrooms
Instructions
- Make the butter spread: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Prep the bread: Spread the butter mixture evenly on one side of each slice of bread.
- Assemble: Place 4 slices butter-side down. Top with mozzarella, pepperoni, a spoonful of pizza sauce, and any extra toppings. Close with remaining bread, butter-side up.
- Cook (stovetop): Heat a skillet or griddle over medium. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden and the cheese is melted. Cover the pan for the last minute if needed to help melt.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 370°F (188°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melty.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use a light hand with sauce to prevent soggy bread; keep it mostly in the center between layers of cheese.
- Lower heat yields perfectly melted cheese without burning the crust—patience pays off.
- Texas toast or thicker bread may need an extra minute per side.
- For vegetarian, skip pepperoni; for gluten-free, use GF bread and pepperoni without fillers.
- Part-skim mozzarella melts beautifully and keeps the sandwich from feeling too heavy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sandwich, Main, Lunch, Kid-Friendly
- Method: Stovetop or Air fryer
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Keywords: pizza grilled cheese, pepperoni grilled cheese, mozzarella sandwich, air fryer grilled cheese, easy dinner, 15-minute meal