Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
10 minutes
Servings:
2 Servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
  • ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 8 ounces low-moisture whole milk mozzarella
  • 16 slices pepperoni
  • 4 slices thick-cut bread (Italian, sourdough, or preferred type)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 fresh basil leaves, plus more as garnish
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk to combine melted butter, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk to combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, remaining ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, and sugar, if using. Portion ¾ cup tomato sauce into a storage container for another purpose.
  3. Use a serrated knife to thinly slice mozzarella.
  4. Heat a nonstick pan over low heat.
  5. Add pepperoni to pan in a single layer and cook until heated through and beginning to crisp along the edges.
  6. Transfer pepperoni to a bowl or ramekin, reserving grease in pan.
  7. Brush two slices of bread with half of the butter mixture.
  8. Add bread slices to pan over low heat, butter side down.
  9. Top each slice with sauce, using half of the remaining tomato sauce.
  10. Sprinkle slices with half of the Parmesan cheese.
  11. Top each slice with pepperoni.
  12. Top each slice with mozzarella cheese.
  13. Top evenly with remaining tomato sauce and Parmesan.
  14. Place remaining bread slices on top and brush with remaining garlic-butter.
  15. Check to see that the bottom slice has become golden brown, and flip.
  16. Cover the pan and cook until the new bottom slice has become crisp and golden, and the mozzarella cheese is melted.
  17. Lift up top slices of bread and tuck fresh basil leaves into each sandwich.
  18. Transfer to a cutting board and cut each grilled cheese sandwich in half.
  19. Serve the pepperoni pizza grilled cheese immediately, garnished with additional basil if desired.