Cheesy pizza sandwiches have buttery, crisp bread, molten cheese, pepperoni and that unmistakable tomato-and-mozzarella situation that makes pizza so hard to argue with in the first place.
Why These Cheesy Pizza Sandwiches Work
Pizza flavor with weeknight effort. This is the kind of recipe that scratches the pizza itch fast without dough, baking time, or takeout.
Melty and crisp in all the right places. Buttery bread, mozzarella and pepperoni make it feel like a grilled cheese with much better instincts.
Tomato jam makes it more interesting than standard pizza sandwiches. It adds sweetness, acidity, and a more concentrated tomato flavor than plain sauce.
Ingredients for Cheesy Pizza Sandwiches
You only need a total of five simple ingredients to make your new favorite sandwich! A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- French bread loaf – I like the size of the slices of bread when I use a French bread loaf. Not only are they the perfect size but the flavor is spot on too. However, you can really use any type of bread for these sandwiches.
- Pepperoni slices – I used turkey pepperoni, but you can use any type you’d like. You don’t even have to use pepperoni- use sausage or any other of your favorite pizza toppings.
- Mozzarella cheese – This is the traditional cheese for a pepperoni pizza, but any melty white cheese will work. Low moisture is best to not make your bread mushy. You can also try your hand at homemade mozzarella cheese.
- Butter – I usually specify to use unsalted, but for this recipe you can use any type of butter you have in the refrigerator.
- Tomato jam -Tangy and sweet, tomato jam is excellent on everything from grilled cheese to deviled eggs, adding a balanced acidity that will complement a wide variety of other foods, like these pizza sandwiches.
How to Make Pizza Sandwiches (Step-by-Step)
Making these sandwiches couldn’t be easier! Just follow these simple steps.
- Spread butter and tomato jam onto bread. Butter one side of each piece of bread. Equally divide and slather the opposite side of each piece with a small amount of tomato jam.
- Layer on pepperoni and cheese. On half of the pieces, pile one piece of turkey pepperoni and slice of mozzarella, topping with another slice of bread, buttered sides facing out.
- Add to panini or skillet. Heat panini press or large skillet. Arrange in a single layer and grill. If using a skillet, flip after a few minutes or until bread is a buttery, golden brown.
- Serve with sauce. You know I love sauces, so I serve mine with a side of hearty marinara sauce or garlic butter dipping sauce.
Easy Variations
There are plenty of ways to make these cheesy pizza sandwiches your own! Here are a few suggestions.
- Veggies – You can add as many or as little toppings as you would like. Want more veggies? Add in some green peppers, red onion or banana peppers.
- Meat – If you aren’t keen on slices of pepperoni, you could totally swap it out for Italian sausage or any of the other classic pizza toppings.
- Bread – You can use your favorite bread for these sandwiches. Although, if you use larger slices, it would be more like a classic sandwich than the mini slider type that these pizza sandwiches are. You could even try using garlic bread or Texas toast.
- Cheese – You can really use any type of cheese that you like here, but mozzarella is the most traditional. You could use something like monterey jack, but melted cheese is the key here, so make sure it melts well.
- Sauce – If you don’t have tomato jam or the time to make it, you could use regular marinara sauce for your pizza slider too. Onion jam is another good option as a swap or in addition to.
Chef Tips
I’ve made these cheesy pizza sandwiches in my test kitchen to be able to bring you the best tips and tricks.
- Butter the outside, not the inside. That is what gives the bread the best crisp, golden finish.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella can release too much moisture and make the sandwich heavier and wetter than you want.
- Don’t overload the filling. A pizza sandwich works best when the bread can still crisp and the cheese can melt evenly.
- Cook over medium heat. If the pan is too hot, the bread will brown before the cheese melts properly.
- Press gently, not aggressively. You want good contact with the skillet or press, but not so much pressure that the fillings squeeze out.
What to Serve With Cheesy Pizza Sandwiches
This meal can be as simple as a side of chips or elevate it with homemade tomato bisque, cauliflower soup or veggie packed minestrone.
A nice leafy green salad is nice and so is making them into smaller sliders for a charcuterie board or nibbles while watching the big game or movie night.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: Pizza sandwiches taste best right after they’re made, but you can keep them in the fridge for 1-2 days if you have leftovers. Reheat them in a hot panini press or skillet for best results.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing them.
More Fun Pizza Recipes
When pizza is on the menu, everyone is happy about dinner! Here are some of our favorite pizza recipes.
Pepperoni Pizza Sandwiches Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices large Italian bread
- 1 tablespoon butter , softened
- 3 tablespoons tomato jam
- 10 slices pepperoni
- 5 slices low moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Evenly spread the softened 1 tablespoon butter on 2 slices of the Italian bread. Evenly spread the 3 tablespoons tomato jam on the other 2 slices of the Italian bread.
- On top of the butter, evenly place the 10 slices pepperoni, pressing them to stick a little. On the other slices (tomato jam pieces) lay the 5 slices low moisture mozzarella cheese.
- Heat the panini press or large skillet. Arrange in a single layer and grill. If using a skillet, slip after 1-2 minutes or until bread is a buttery, golden brown. You might have to work in batches.
- Serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
Such an easy and delicious recipe! My teenagers devoured these! Will be making again.
This quickly became a favorite for my kids! They said they could eat this any time of the day!