New York Pizza Grilled Cheese on Arteflame

Introduction

Take your grilled cheese to the next level with this New York–style pizza-inspired twist. Featuring gooey mozzarella, rich marinara, and crispy pepperoni, this sandwich delivers all the cheesy, savory flavor of a classic NYC slice—right off the Arteflame grill. The flat top griddle sears everything to golden perfection, while the center grill sears your meats hot and fast. Perfect for cookouts or any day you're craving comfort food with a touch of gourmet.

Ingredients

• 8 slices Italian bread (or sourdough)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 16 slices pepperoni
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (thick, not watery)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins, place them in the center fire chamber of the Arteflame grill.
2. Stack firewood over the napkins and light the paper napkins.
3. Allow the fire to build—about 20 minutes to reach optimal cooking temperature.
4. The flat cooktop will have multi-zone heat from the center out to the edge. Use this to cook at optimal temps.

Step 2: Prep the Sandwiches

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread generously.
2. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, spread a tablespoon of thick marinara sauce.
3. Layer shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top of the marinara.
4. Add fresh basil if using.
5. Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered side facing outward.

Step 3: Grill the Sandwiches

1. Place the sandwiches on the Arteflame flat cooktop closer to the center for a hotter sear.
2. Press gently using a grill press or spatula for even browning.
3. Grill each side for about 3–5 minutes, rotating slightly to avoid hot spots, until golden and crispy.
4. Use cooler zones on the outer edge if the cheese needs more time to melt without burning the bread.

Step 4: Serve

1. Remove from the grill and let the sandwiches rest for 1–2 minutes.
2. Slice in half and serve hot or with additional marinara on the side for dipping.

Tips

• Use thick-sliced bread for structure and to hold all the fillings.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle garlic powder onto the buttered sides before grilling.
• If using fresh basil, add it after grilling to preserve its flavor.
• Don't overload with marinara—too much sauce makes the bread soggy.
• Grill multiple sandwiches at once using the Arteflame’s large flat griddle cooking surface.

Variations

• White Pizza Grilled Cheese: Skip marinara and use ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and fresh spinach for a white pizza version.
• Veggie Supreme Grilled Cheese: Add grilled bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a vegetarian spin.
• BBQ Chicken Pizza Grilled Cheese: Swap marinara for BBQ sauce and add grilled chicken and red onions.
• Buffalo Style Grilled Cheese: Replace marinara with buffalo sauce, add grilled shredded chicken and blue cheese crumbles.
• Meat Lover’s Grilled Cheese: Include pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, and ham for a hearty, meaty combo.

Best pairings

• Crispy Arteflame-grilled zucchini or eggplant chips
• Chilled Italian soda or root beer
• A light Caesar salad or tomato basil soup
• Light red wines like Pinot Noir or a malty amber ale

Conclusion

This New York Pizza Grilled Cheese gives you the flavor of a NYC slice packed into a crispy, cheesy, golden sandwich—all done on your Arteflame Grill. The buttery crunch, the molten cheese, and the bold flavor—this is comfort food at its finest. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to grilled sandwich recipe.