Mozzarella Stick Grilled Cheese

# What You 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 plus extra for dipping

→ Butter & Oil

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Steps:

01 - Bake frozen 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 - Lay two bread slices buttered side down on a clean surface. Layer each with 2 slices mozzarella cheese, 4 cooked mozzarella sticks, and 2 tablespoons marinara sauce.

04 - Top each with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.

06 - Remove from heat, slice in half, and serve immediately with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

You get two kinds of melted cheese in every single bite—it's like someone finally listened to what your inner child actually wanted.
There's a built-in marinara dipping sauce situation, which means no sad dry sandwich.
The whole thing comes together in under 20 minutes, which is perfect for those hungry afternoons when cooking feels like a bonus.

02 -

If your mozzarella sticks are still frozen or barely warm when you assemble, they'll cool down the sandwich and keep the cheese from melting properly—always use freshly baked sticks.
Medium heat is not a suggestion; too high and your bread burns before the inside melts, too low and you end up with soft bread and cold mozzarella in the middle.

03 -

Keep the mozzarella sticks warm and just-baked; even five minutes sitting around makes them firm up and lose that creamy core.
Press gently while cooking—you're encouraging the bread to toast and the cheese to meld, not making a sandwich pancake.