Pizza Toast Melty Cheese (Printable)

Thick sourdough topped with garlicky tomato sauce, layered cheeses, and savory toppings broiled to perfection.

# Components:

→ Bread

01 - 2 thick slices sourdough or country-style bread

→ Tomato Sauce

02 - ½ cup good-quality marinara sauce
03 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

→ Cheese

05 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - ¼ cup shredded provolone cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

08 - 8–10 slices pepperoni or salami (omit for vegetarian)
09 - ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - ¼ cup sliced black olives
11 - ¼ bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ Seasoning

13 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - Red pepper flakes, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
02 - Combine marinara sauce, minced garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl, mixing well.
03 - Lightly toast the bread slices using a toaster or under the broiler until just golden.
04 - Spread a generous layer of the garlicky tomato sauce over each slice of toasted bread.
05 - Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and provolone cheeses evenly over the sauce on each slice.
06 - Distribute your chosen toppings such as pepperoni, onion, olives, and bell pepper evenly over the cheese.
07 - Top with the remaining mozzarella, provolone, and all of the grated Parmesan cheese.
08 - Sprinkle dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper over each slice.
09 - Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
10 - Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 20 minutes but tastes like you spent hours layering flavors and textures.
  • The broiler does all the heavy lifting—no babysitting required once you hit that button.
  • Endlessly customizable, so you can make it exactly how you crave it today.
02 -
  • Watch the broiler like a hawk—the difference between perfectly melted and slightly burnt is literally one minute.
  • Toast the bread first so it holds up under the weight of sauce and cheese instead of getting mushy.
  • Skip the basil until after cooking so it doesn't wilt into the cheese and lose its fresh flavor.
03 -
  • If your broiler runs hot, move the rack down slightly and keep your eyes on the toast—every broiler has its own personality.
  • Use room-temperature sauce instead of cold so it spreads easily and heats through faster under the broiler.
Return