Pin it
Creamy white pizza grilled cheese sandwiches are my favorite twist on classic grilled cheese. With three cheeses, bright herbs and golden crispy bread, this recipe is my ultimate “quick comfort” dinner when cravings strike.
The creamy filling won over even my picky eaters and I always make extra to stash for midnight snacks. My kids love to help sprinkle the cheese and flip the sandwiches.
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese or ricotta cheese: brings creamy flavor and rich texture choose fresh dairy with mild aroma and taste
- Olive or canola oil: helps bind and gives the cheese a velvety mouthfeel go for extra virgin olive oil for more flavor
- Fresh garlic: really wakes up the cheese mixture use firm cloves with no green sprout
- Dried basil: adds sweetness and brightness in each bite pick dried leaves with strong aroma
- Dried oregano: gives herby depth choose a dark green herb for best results
- Salt: enhances overall flavor use fine sea salt for even seasoning
- Black pepper: kicks up the savoriness grind fresh for punchiness
- Parmesan cheese: packs sharp nutty taste grate just before adding if you can
- Mozzarella: brings classic stringy melt look for whole milk mozzarella and shred at home if possible
- Bread: acts as both vessel and crunchy contrast use sturdy sandwich or Italian bread with no cracks
- Butter: on the outside is key for that golden crisp pick unsalted for more control
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blend the Cottage Cheese
- If you have large curd cottage cheese, blend it until mostly smooth. This removes lumps and allows for even mixing later.
- Mix the Dairy Base
- Combine the cottage or ricotta cheese with the olive or canola oil in a medium bowl. Stir until no streaks remain. This step helps the filling spread more easily over bread.
- Flavor the Filling
- Add minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to evenly distribute everything so no one bite is bland or overly salty.
- Fold in the Mozzarella
- Add all the shredded mozzarella to your seasoned base mixture. Blend with a fork until every shred looks coated with flavor. The goal is even cheese distribution so it melts perfectly.
- Prepare the Bread
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter over each slice of bread. This is the secret to a crisp golden exterior. Work right up to the edges for even toasting.
- Assemble in Pan
- Lay out half your bread slices buttered side down in a skillet or griddle. Spoon the cheese mixture on each slice and gently spread out to the corners for full coverage. Avoid too thick a layer or the sandwich will slide apart once melted.
- Top and Close
- Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up. Line up the edges for tidy sandwiches. Press lightly with your palm to seal the filling together.
- Grill to Golden
- Put the pan over medium heat. Resist flipping too soon. Wait for the bread to turn deep golden on the bottom and crisp at the edges usually four or five minutes depending on your stove.
- Flip and Melt
- Carefully turn the sandwiches over and continue cooking until the second side gets the same golden crisp and the cheese inside is gooey and fully melted. Press gently with a spatula in the final minute for even toasting.
Pin it
I absolutely love how the mozzarella stretches as you pull apart a sandwich fresh from the pan. My family all gathers in the kitchen for this meal and someone always sneaks a melty edge before the rest are done.
Storage Tips
Grilled cheese tastes best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for two days. For reheating, always use a skillet over low heat to recapture that crispy exterior. Microwave reheating softens the bread and is not recommended unless you have no other option.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use ricotta instead of cottage cheese for a slightly milder, silkier filling. For a sharper flavor, swap half the mozzarella for provolone. If you do not have fresh garlic use a quarter teaspoon granulated garlic, just be sure to mix it thoroughly for even flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these sandwiches with tomato soup, a simple green salad, or bowl of olives for a comforting meal. I love cutting the sandwiches into triangles to serve as a party snack or appetizer platter for friends.
Pin it
White Pizza Grilled Cheese History
This sandwich is inspired by classic white pizza known for its cheesy garlicky topping without tomato sauce. The combination of herbs, mozzarella, and creamy cheese pays homage to Italian-American pizza shop flavors that are loved coast to coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which cheeses work best for the filling?
Mozzarella provides the melt, while cottage or ricotta offers creaminess, and parmesan adds savory depth.
- → Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Fresh herbs work beautifully—use about three times the listed dried amount for basil and oregano.
- → How do I prevent the bread from burning?
Cook over medium heat and watch carefully. Flip once the underside is golden and crisp.
- → Is it possible to make these sandwiches ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix the filling in advance and refrigerate, then assemble and grill when ready to serve.
- → What’s the best method to reheat leftovers?
Reheat sandwiches in a lightly buttered skillet over low heat, flipping to restore crispness on both sides.
- → What bread is recommended for these sandwiches?
Use any hearty bread that holds up well, such as sourdough or Italian, for sturdy yet tender sandwiches.