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–+ servings

California Pizza Grilled Cheese with Garlic Herb Butter

A quick 15-minute pizza grilled cheese featuring crispy San Francisco sourdough, gooey mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni for the ultimate comfort food mashup.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Quick Meals, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices thick-cut San Francisco sourdough bread or any sturdy bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons marinara sauce plus extra for dipping
  • 1/2 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese freshly shredded from a block for best melt
  • 1 slice provolone cheese
  • 8 to 10 slices pepperoni

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning until well blended.
  2. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. Flip the slices over. On the unbuttered sides, spread the marinara sauce. Layer one slice with the provolone, then the shredded mozzarella, and finally the pepperoni slices. Top with the second bread slice, buttered side facing up.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted. Gently press down with a spatula while cooking.
  4. Remove the sandwich from the skillet, slice it in half, and serve immediately with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 680kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 30gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 1450mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4g

Notes

For the best melt, shred your own mozzarella from a block instead of using pre-shredded. Keep the sauce inside the sandwich minimal to avoid sogginess; use extra for dipping. Cook low and slow so the cheese melts perfectly without burning the bread. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni. This sandwich is best eaten fresh, but you can prep the garlic butter ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

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