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Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese is an easy, and flavorful sandwich prepared using delicious Italian bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and fresh basil. This grown up grilled cheese is perfect any time of year, and much easier to make than homemade pizza!

One and a half Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other with a fourth sitting next to the stack.

Just look at all that melty cheese!! So yummy – the perfect comfort food. I have been craving Margherita Pizza for days, but was too lazy to make pizza dough. This is my solution. You’re welcome!!

Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese ingredients_ sliced bread, butter, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese in white bowls.

Ingredients needed to make this recipe:

I used Italian sliced bread from the grocery store bakery, but sourdough or Texas Toast would work as well.
store-bought or homemade pizza sauce will work just fine.
My favorite is fresh mozzarella cheese that is sold in deli section. If you can find it pre-sliced that is even better.
Fresh basil leaves will give you the best flavor, but dried will work in a pinch. Just sprinkle them over. I left mine whole, but you could also slice them into thin strips.
Finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano adds a bit of saltiness and authenticity to your pizza flavor.
Butter gives the sandwich a wonderful flavor and nice crust, but olive oil will also work if you prefer.
I added a bit of freshly grated black pepper for an extra layer of flavor.

How to make a Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Spread softened butter on one-side of each slice of bread.

Butter spread on four slices of white bread.

Flip the bread over and spread 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on the opposite side.

Pizza sauce spread over four slices of white bread.

Place the mozzarella slices on top of two slices of bread and sprinkle the other two with the Parmesan cheese.

Grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over two slices of sauce covered bread and six slices of mozzarella cheese arranged over two slices of sauce covered bread.

Place the basil leaves on top of the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with black pepper.

Eight fresh basil leaves laying on the mozzarella cheese slices.

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. When hot, place the mozzarella cheese topped bread slices in the skillet.

Two slices of bread topped with sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves butter side down in a cast iron skillet.

Place the other two slices of bread on top, butter side up.

Looking down on two butter topped slices of bread in a cast iron skillet.

Cook until golden brown and crispy on the first side, then flip over and cook on the second side until the cheese is melted.

Two grilled cheese sandwiches in a cast iron skillet.

I placed a lid over the skillet to keep the heat in and help to melt the cheese. Just make sure the the steam can escape, or you will end up with a soggy sandwich.

A white lid covering a cast iron skillet with a red arrow showing where the steam vents.

You also need to be extra careful not to burn your sandwich while it is hidden under the lid!!

Remove sandwiches from the skillet, cut in half and serve with additional pizza sauce.

Two pizza Margherita grilled cheese sandwiches cut in half and stacked on top of each other on a black slate platter with a small bowl of pizza sauce in the background.

And napkins, lots of napkins!

Recipe Notes & Tips

Two sandwiches seemed like a safe amount to make. This recipe can easily be doubled if using a 1 pound package of mozzarella.
A block of mozzarella will also work. I would grate the cheese because thick slices will not melt as quickly. I do not recommend pre-grated packages of mozzarella. It contains starches to keep it from clumping that melts into a thick, mess.
You can save any leftover sandwiches in the refrigerator, but the center will be a bit soggy from the sauce. Just reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

More quick and easy sandwich recipes

Enjoy!!