Pizza Toast Upgraded Melty Cheese (Print View)

Thick sourdough layered with tomato sauce and cheeses, broiled until bubbly and golden brown.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 2 thick slices sourdough or country-style bread

→ Tomato Sauce

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

→ Cheese

05 - 120 ml shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 60 ml shredded provolone cheese
07 - 30 ml grated Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings (optional)

08 - 8–10 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 tsp dried oregano
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - Red pepper flakes, to taste

# Method:

01 - Set oven broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
02 - Combine marinara sauce, minced garlic, and olive oil in a small bowl; mix well.
03 - Lightly toast bread slices in a toaster or under the broiler until just golden.
04 - Generously spread the garlicky tomato sauce over each toasted bread slice.
05 - Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and provolone cheeses evenly over the sauce.
06 - Layer chosen toppings such as pepperoni, onion, olives, and bell pepper over the cheese.
07 - Top with remaining mozzarella, provolone, and all of the Parmesan cheese.
08 - Sprinkle dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper over the cheese and toppings.
09 - Place under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until 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's ready in 20 minutes total, no rising, no complicated technique—just pure cheese pull satisfaction.
  • The layered cheese approach creates actual texture: creamy spots, crispy edges, gooey center, all at once.
  • You can make it with whatever's in your fridge and it somehow tastes more intentional than it has any right to.
02 -
  • Don't let the bread toast too dark on its own or it becomes hard and won't soften when the toppings heat through—just a light golden color is all you need.
  • The broiler is fast and unforgiving, so stay nearby and watch through the oven window; every broiler burns differently, and the difference between perfect and charred is 30 seconds.
  • Layer your cheeses strategically—the mozzarella under the toppings acts as glue that holds everything together while it cooks.
03 -
  • Line your baking sheet with foil so the cheese that drips caramelizes slightly and you get crispy burnt-cheese bits—don't waste those, they're the best part.
  • If your broiler runs hot, position your rack a notch lower so the toppings cook through without the bottom burning.
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