Foodness Gracious - Week 75

Recipes

Let’s be honest—sometimes dinner just needs to be fast, fun, and a little nostalgic. This week’s recipe checks all those boxes and then some. We’re talking about the glorious union of two iconic comfort foods: the grilled cheese and the pepperoni pizza. Yes, it’s a Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich, and yes, it tastes just as magical as it sounds.

It all starts with the sizzle of butter in a pan—because, let’s face it, any great grilled cheese starts with butter. Then we layer on thin slices of pepperoni (go ahead, sneak a bite), spoon over a little marinara sauce like we're painting a cheesy masterpiece, and blanket it all with melty mozzarella. Pop that between two golden slices of bread and toast it to crispy, gooey perfection.

This sandwich is everything we love about pizza, lovingly stuffed between two slices of buttery bread. It comes together in less than 10 minutes! Perfect for those days when the fridge is looking sparse, but your cravings are not.

Want to level it up? Toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Feeling fancy? Add a few fresh basil leaves after cooking for a grown-up twist. Serve it with a little extra marinara on the side for dipping—you know, for the full pizzeria experience at home.

Whether you're feeding picky kids, hungry teens, or just yourself after a long day, this sandwich is a crowd-pleaser that requires zero stress and delivers maximum flavor. It’s comfort food at its finest, with a playful twist that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t been making these forever.

Now go grab your skillet, because dinner just got delicious. And if you’ve got a favorite variation, share it on the recipe comments—I’m always here for your grilled cheese secrets.

Reviews

Sometimes you want the smoky thrill of grilling without watching your asparagus fall through the grates like it’s auditioning for a magic trick. Enter the universal griddle—a glorious, flat-top hero that lays right over your outdoor gas grill, instantly transforming it into a backyard diner.

This bad boy is versatile. Smash burgers? Oh yeah. Bacon and eggs on a sunny Saturday morning? You bet. Veggies, shrimp, quesadillas, even pancakes—this griddle can handle it all. And if you’ve never had a grilled cheese made outdoors on a hot, buttery griddle surface… well, friend, you’re about to be changed. Picture golden, crispy edges, perfectly melted cheese, and just the right amount of smoke-kissed flavor. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you close your eyes after the first bite.

Cleanup is also a breeze (yes, we’re talking to you, weeknight warriors). Just scrape it down, wipe it off, and boom—done. No more chasing runaway mushrooms into the grill abyss or scrubbing burned-on mystery bits from your grates.

So this week, maybe skip the usual chicken breasts and break out the griddle. Get creative. Have fun. And remember: when you cook with a flat top, you're not just grilling—you’re putting on a show.

You can see all of our home kitchen product reviews too!

Responsibility

There is so much talk these days about Whole Food Plant-Based eating, that it's hard to not hear of some of the health benefits.

The best part about it is you can ease into it. You can test it out and see if it's right for you.

Our new article walks through tips on how to start your transition to plant-based eating. The first step explains that you can try just one meal per day of plant-based eating and see how that goes. This allows you to find ingredients that work for you, your tummy and your budget.

Learn more online at Foodness Gracious in our Responsibility section.

Foodness Fun - Trivia

Last week we were talking all about the tostada. This blank canvas allows you to have so much fun with your home cooking.

We asked the following trivia question to our Foodness Followers:

Which Mexican holiday often features tostadas as part of the celebration meal?
A) Dia de Los Muertos
B) Cinco de Mayo
C) Independence Day
D) All of the above

I am so happy to say that the overwhelming answer was correct! If you selected "All of the Above" then you were absolutely correct. The tostada is featured in many Mexican holidays including Dia de Los Muertos, Cinco de Mayo and Independence Day.