Pizza Grilled Cheese - Soft Baghrir

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 4 slices Italian bread or sourdough

→ Cheese & Meats

02 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded

03 - 12–16 slices pepperoni

→ Sauce

04 - 1/4 cup marinara sauce, plus extra for dipping

→ For Cooking

05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Lay out the bread slices and spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice.

02 - Arrange 2 bread slices butter side down on a clean surface, then spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce on the unbuttered side of each.

03 - Evenly layer mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then top with pepperoni slices.

04 - Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter side up, forming two sandwiches.

05 - Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.

06 - Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

07 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice diagonally.

08 - Serve hot with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Hints:

01 -

It tastes like pizza and grilled cheese made a baby, and honestly, that's the dream.
Ready in 20 minutes, which means dinner without the complicated thought process.
The butter-toasted bread is crispy on the outside while the cheese stays gooey and warm inside.

02 -

Medium heat is non-negotiable—too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts, too low and it turns greasy instead of crispy.
Don't skip the resting period or you'll bite into molten cheese and burn your mouth, which I learned the hard way.
Shredded cheese melts faster than slices, so adjust your timing accordingly if you swap between them.

03 -

Make sure your butter is softened before you start—cold butter tears the bread and never browns evenly.
If your pan feels like it's browning too fast, lower the heat slightly and give each side a full four minutes instead of rushing.