Pizza Grilled Cheese with Marinara Soup

This Pizza Grilled Cheese is PERFECTION! Provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese are layered with pepperoni and toasted between two slices of garlic bread for a perfect grilled cheese that sings with pizza flavors. Finished by being served with Marinara Soup that is perfect for dipping. 

I never bought school lunches growing up.

But I was always envious when the cafeteria was serving up Pizza Bobs–AKA Pizza Grilled Cheese.

Pizza Bobs were just grilled cheese sandwiches made with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni–but the combination always intrigued me.

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Now I make my own version of Pizza Grilled Cheese that completely beats any Pizza Bob from a school cafeteria.

I make this Pizza Grilled Cheese with 3 types of Italian cheeses, salty pepperoni, and a garlic herb oil.

That right there is the makings of a PERFECT grilled cheese–but when you add in that I serve this Pizza Grilled Cheese with Marinara Soup–JUST WOW!

How to Make Pizza Grilled Cheese

Step One: Make Garlic Oil

• Mix together olive oil with garlic and oregano.

Step Two: Assemble Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Lay out 4 slices of thickly sliced bread.
• Top each slice with 2 slices provolone cheese, 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
• Lay out 4 slices of pepperoni over cheese (if using Pepperoni)
• Top each slice of bread with an additional slice of bread to close the sandwich.
• Brush the top and bottom of the sandwich with the garlic olive oil (the exposed sides of the grilled cheese.)

Step Three: Toast Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Heat skillet/griddle to medium heat.
• Grill sandwiches for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cheese is melted.

Marinara Soup

And because grilled cheese is always best when served with a warm soup for dipping–a soup is a MUST!

But plain old tomato soup, while delicious is just NOT a fit for this Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

What goes better with pizza than marinara sauce? So why not Marinara Soup?

A rich, tomatoey soup that tastes just like marinara sauce–oh so good and so easy!

To Make Marinara Soup

• Mix together homemade tomato sauce with vegetable or chicken stock in large sauce pan.
• Add in garlic and oregano.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Tips on Pizza Grilled Cheese

• What bread is best for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? I personally think a thick, hearty bread–like an Italian Bread cut into thick slices or Whole Wheat Sourdough is another great option. I have even used my Homemade Honey Wheat Bread with success.
• If you don’t like pepperoni–leave it out! Maybe try sliced mushrooms, diced peppers, or olives–or just stick with good old plain cheese.
• If you have only have mozzarella cheese or Provolone cheese–just use that–don’t feel like you must use all three varieties of cheese.
• If you have shredded cheese, use that instead of slices–the cheese is going to melt, so it doesn’t really matter what shape it starts our as!
• If you want to make Gluten-Free Grilled Cheese, use thick gluten-free bread.
• If you are making Grilled Cheese for a Crowd, place all the prepared sandwiches on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.
• I love to use my homemade Marinara Sauce, but any store bought sauce works for the Marinara Soup.
• To add a bit of zip to Marinara Soup, try adding in a 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

Unique Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

• Monte Cristo with Blackberry Sauce
• BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese with Pineapple
• Avocado and Heirloom Tomato Grilled Cheese from Fifteen Spatulas
• Mushroom and Onion Grilled Cheese from She Wears Many Hats
• Dill Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese. from Spend with Pennies

Pizza Grilled Cheese Recipe

Pizza Grilled Cheese with Marinara Soup

This Pizza Grilled Cheese is PERFECTION! Provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese are layered with pepperoni and toasted between two slices of garlic bread for a perfect grilled cheese that sings with pizza flavors. Finished by being served with Marinara Soup that is perfect for dipping. 

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Marinara Soup, Pepperoni Grilled Cheese, Pizza Grilled Cheese

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 441kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

Pizza Grilled Cheese

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teasspoon dried oregano
• 8 slices thick sliced bread
• 8 thin slices provolone cheese
• 8 thin slices mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 16 slices nitrate free pepperoni optional

Marinara Soup

• 2 cups your favorite marinara sauce
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

Pizza Grilled Cheese

• Combine the olive oil, garlic and oregano together. Brush on the exterior of all 16 slices of bread. 
• Layer 4 slices of bread each with 2 slices provolone cheese, 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, and 4 slices of pepperoni if using. each. Top with remaining 4 slices of bread.
• Heat skillet/griddle to medium heat. Grill sandwiches for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cheese is melted.

Marinara Soup

• Bring marinara, oregano, garlic, and stock to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to come together.
• Serve sandwich with soup.

Nutrition Facts

Pizza Grilled Cheese with Marinara Soup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 441 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fat 12g 60%

Cholesterol 44mg 15%

Sodium 894mg 37%

Potassium 179mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 29g 10%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 3g

Protein 22g 44%

Vitamin A 11.1%

Vitamin C 0.3%

Calcium 58.5%

Iron 12.9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.