When a pizza and a sandwich have a baby, get ready to party.
“The perfect lover is one who turns into a pizza at 4:00 a.m.” said journalist Charles Pierce – lustily describing most of the world’s relationship with the doughy, cheese-soaked tomato pie. Counting down the minutes until the doorbell rings and the sexy delivery dude hands over the steaming box is part of the human experience. Toppings then take the crust, sauce, and cheese and turn it into a flavor odyssey: pepperoni is classic, figs are modern, chicken is controversial, and anchovies are wild. I can’t guarantee that the ancient inhabitants of Gaeta (where the word ‘pizza’ was first recorded) were dunking their slices in ranch back in 997 AD but I do know that the world currently eats five billion pizzas yearly. The love is real.
Yes, pizza is a work of art. But, suppose you’ve already eaten your way through an average year’s consumption of 180 slices. And your hunger then drifts to lunchboxes, plastic wrap, and the quick, on-the-go versatility to eat it on the street or in the car. Sandwiches have been giving homey ecstasy since the Middle Ages when meat was served on plates made of stale bread and then given to the poor. So-called “trenchers” were a staple of the low-income diet until the 18th century, when the Earl of Sandwich would ask his valet to bring him salt beef between slices of toasted bread during his endless cribbage games. Now, as the sandwich industry has become massive, and whether you call it a sub or a hoagie, a po’boy, a grinder or a sarnie, we can take comfort in Tina Fey’s words on 30 Rock, “All of humankind has one thing in common: the sandwich. I believe that all anyone really wants in this life is to sit in peace and eat a sandwich.”
So, what am I getting at? Smash the two food titans together. The pizza sandwich is a quick and easy twist for lunch, an elevated grilled cheese. Bread, cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni are the four staples of a pizza sandwich, and you can mix and match according to how your mood and taste buds are sparking on the given day. Cheesy and doughy, with a hint of spice from the pepperoni and the acidic zing from the tomato, we’ll take you through the basics to get the original classic and then give you some ideas to jazz it up.
The Pizza Sandwich’s Secret Weapon: Versatility
Just as a perfect pepperoni pizza hits the spot on some occasions and a turkey club whets your whistle on others, the pizza sandwich can be tailored to suit any mood and most refrigerator contents. Sourdough bread can make a good crusty base, and focaccia and rye will bring out more unique flavor profiles. Nothing can beat the melt of mozzarella, but some sprinkles of Parmigiano, feta, or pepper jack can give an extra bite. No pepperoni? Chicken, artichoke hearts, ham, mushrooms, and bacon are just a few ideas for a punch of protein. Tomato sauce will taste delicious, but pesto, olive oil, sriracha, balsamic vinegar, butter and garlic, ranch, or bleu cheese will also take you to condiment heaven. Keep your garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and oregano on standby.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Keep meat, cheese, and tomato sauce in the fridge until ready to use, then assemble. Pizza sandwiches should be eaten immediately after preparation. Toasty bread and melted cheese taste splendid out of a pan, but stale a day later.
What’s The Best Cheese to Use?
It’s up to you, but as mentioned above, mozzarella will melt the best. Monterey Jack and pepper jack will also melt well, as can certain types of cheddar. Asiago and pecorino will bring more Italian punch to the mix but won’t melt well, so use grated for flavoring.
Serving Suggestions
One sandwich is a good portion for one person. Serve with a side salad such as this Mediterranean Salad with Pomegranate and Lemon Dressing or this simple and refreshing Cucumber and Tomato Salad.
For dessert, how about a little slice of Lemon Tiramisu? Or maybe even a Strawberry Tiramisu if you want something a little sweeter.
Pizza Sandwich
Ingredients
- 8 slices of white bread
- 8 slices of mozzarella cheese
- 24 slices of pepperoni
- 4 teaspoons of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup of pizza sauce warmed
Instructions
- Layer each of four bread slices with a slice of mozzarella, garlic powder, six slices of pepperoni, and a teaspoon of Parmesan cheese. Top with another slice of mozzarella and cover with another slice of bread.
- Spread softened butter on the outside of each sandwich.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and place the sandwiches in the skillet.
- Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot with warmed pizza sauce for dipping.
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