Pizza Toast Melty Cheese (Printable)

Sourdough toast topped with garlicky tomato sauce, layered cheeses, and savory toppings, broiled crisp.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 2 thick slices sourdough or country-style bread

→ Tomato Sauce

02 - 120 ml high-quality marinara sauce
03 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
04 - 15 ml extra-virgin olive oil

→ Cheese

05 - 60 ml shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 30 ml shredded provolone cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

08 - 8 to 10 slices pepperoni or salami (omit for vegetarian)
09 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 60 ml sliced black olives
11 - 1/4 bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ Seasoning

13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - Red pepper flakes, to taste

# How to Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes 20 minutes total, which means you can make it while talking on the phone or between other tasks.
  • The cheese layers create actual gooey pockets instead of a single flat coat, which changes everything about the texture.
  • You can throw whatever you have in the fridge on top, so it works when you're low on groceries.
  • It tastes way better than it should given how simple it actually is.
02 -
  • Watch the broiler the entire time, because the difference between melted and burnt is maybe 30 seconds, and broilers vary wildly.
  • If you use thin bread, it will burn before the cheese melts, so thicker slices actually matter here.
  • Let it cool for just 30 seconds before eating, or you'll burn the roof of your mouth and it won't be worth it.
03 -
  • Toast the bread separately first so it has structure, otherwise it stays too soft under the weight of the cheese and toppings.
  • Don't skip the garlic in the sauce because that's what makes it taste intentional instead of just doctored jarred marinara.
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