Mozzarella Stick Grilled Cheese (Print Version)

Crispy golden bread layered with melted mozzarella and marinara for a rich, comforting meal.

# Components:

→ 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 (plus extra for dipping)

→ Butter & Oil

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Method:

01 - Bake the mozzarella sticks according to package instructions until golden and crispy. Set aside and 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 marinara sauce.
04 - Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, slice in half, and serve hot with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you're eating fried mozzarella sticks with your hands, but somehow more sophisticated.
  • You can have it ready in about twenty minutes, which is faster than delivery and infinitely more satisfying.
  • It's the kind of sandwich that makes people stop mid-conversation to ask what you're eating.
02 -
  • Don't skip baking the mozzarella sticks first—if you try to cook them inside the sandwich, they'll explode or stay cold.
  • Medium heat is essential; too high and your bread burns before the cheese melts inside, too low and it gets soggy.
  • Pressing gently while the sandwich cooks helps the cheese meld without squeezing out the filling.
03 -
  • Buy higher-quality mozzarella sticks if possible—the cheaper ones sometimes stay rubbery in the center.
  • If you're cooking for people with different preferences, let them assemble their own before cooking, so they can control the sauce-to-cheese ratio.
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