Mozzarella Stick Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy bread filled with melted mozzarella sticks, mozzarella slices, and savory marinara sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy & Cheese

01 - 8 frozen mozzarella sticks
02 - 4 slices mozzarella cheese

→ Bread

03 - 4 slices Italian or sourdough bread

→ Sauces

04 - 1/2 cup marinara sauce

→ Butter & Oil

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - Bake the frozen mozzarella sticks according to package instructions until golden and crispy. Keep warm.
02 - Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each bread slice.
03 - Place two bread slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Layer each with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese, 4 cooked mozzarella sticks, and 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce.
04 - Cover each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the pan and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, slice sandwiches in half, and serve immediately with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent but comes together faster than ordering delivery.
  • The crispy exterior and stretchy, gooey interior hit every comfort food craving at once.
  • It's so simple you can make it on a weeknight, yet impressive enough to share with friends.
02 -
  • Don't skip baking the mozzarella sticks first—cooking them raw in the sandwich means they won't heat through before the bread gets too dark.
  • If your pan is too hot, the butter will brown before the cheese melts inside, so medium heat is your friend here.
03 -
  • Make sure your mozzarella sticks are still hot when you assemble the sandwich—cold ones take too long to melt and can throw off your timing.
  • Softened butter is the secret to even browning; let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes before spreading if yours came straight from the fridge.
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