This is a cheesy idea both literally and figuratively. I wasn't going to post it but I've made it a few times and figured what the heck. Maybe it will inspire you.
The idea is simply a pizza sandwich. You guys know by know I'm completely obsessed with pizza. I always have been. Normally I make english muffin pizzas but I didn't have any shredded cheese and, to be honest, I was too lazy to pull out the grater.
I opened the draw and saw a bag of Mini Babybel Lights. Now, you may think these baby's don't melt well because they are light (have you ever tried to melt a slice of fat free cheese? Yikes!) but you'd be mistaken. These things melt beautifully!
So melt it I did. Right between two English Muffins in the George Forman. The Babybels are quite thick so I'm not sure this would work in a skillet. You kind of need the heat from both sides to penetrate and get to the cheese fast.
The results was a warm, gooey pizza panini, and that's why I made it again today. 🙂
Here's what I did…
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Wheat English Muffin or Sandwich Thin
- 1 tablespoon pizza sauce (you could use tomato paste, just be sure to sprinkle with salt and spices)
- 1 Mini Babybel Light
- Your fav pizza topics, optional of course (pepperoni, baby spinach, diced peppers)
Instructions
If you like a crunchier muffin, pre-toast. I tend to like mine soft so I kept it raw.
Smear the sauce on the muffin, top with any toping and then place the cheese in the center.
Press in the George Foreman or a panini press.
Mine took exactly 4 minutes to melt through.
Here's the one I made today with added spinach!
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📖 Recipe
Cheesy Pizza Panini
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Wheat English Muffin or Sandwich Thin
- 1 tablespoon pizza sauce you could use tomato paste, just be sure to sprinkle with salt and spices
- 1 Mini Babybel Light
- Your fav pizza topics optional of course (pepperoni, baby spinach, diced peppers)
Instructions
- If you like a crunchier muffin, pre-toast. I tend to like mine soft so I kept it raw.1 Whole Wheat English Muffin or Sandwich Thin
- Smear the sauce on the muffin, top with any toping and then place the cheese in the center.1 tablespoon pizza sauce, 1 Mini Babybel Light
- Press in the George Foreman or a panini press.
- Mine took exactly 4 minutes to melt through.
- Here's the one I made today with added spinach!Your fav pizza topics
Lauri
I'm on my own tonight. I'm giving it a try.
Lauri
As I said I was going to give a try. It's was delicious. Added a little onion and mushrooms too.
Francine
What about pesto with the toppings in place of marinara or maybe even flavored cream cheese
Emmacooks
That's a great idea, thanks 🙂
roni
If you are more of a creamy girl what about a bit of ranch dressing and some spinach leaves? The artichokes mushrooms are a good idea too! Do you like tomato? About just a slice with a pinch of salt?
Emmacooks
This looks great, I love those lit cheese wedges, but I really don't fancy marinara sauce. If I get a pizza, I always ask for it with no red sauce. I wonder what would be a good alternative to that? Maybe some mushrooms and or artichokes to give it more of an Alfredo twist?! Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.
roni
Not silly! I just put it on raw. It wilts slightly by the heat. Hope you like it!
Kate
Love this idea-- do you grill your spinach before and put it in or do you let it grill in the foreman? I know--- such a silly question!
roni
Hi Amy! Just put a few leaves of raw spinch (like the ones in the bags) and it will be perfect. They'll wilt a little during the cooking process.
Hope you like it!
Amy
This looks fantastic! I am not much of a cook, so silly question...for adding the spinach do I need to cook it first, or raw spinach will cook right on up in the George Forman? THANKS for the healthy great recipe I will definatly be trying 🙂
Anna
I am going to try this at work in the microwave. Be nice to have a "hot" sandwich once in awhile
Anne
Just used your recipe tonight! So easy and filling- I wish I had thought about this when I was in college! Thanks so much! 🙂
roni
Chris - Fresh Basil would be awesome!!
roni
Done and done. Thanks Kamila! 🙂
Chris
Some people simply can't stand to *not* correct grammar mistakes. My dear friend is one of those people. I love her to pieces, but when she doesn't it, it makes me crazy.
Now, on to what I was thinking. Wouldn't fresh basil be amazing with this, in place of the spinach. A caprese English muffin. I think I'm going to try it!
Kamila D
I love your blog so Ill help... Here are the ones i saw:
"I’ve made *in* a few times and figured what the heck."
and
"Here’s the on I made today with added spinach!"
You can delete this post later.
Kate
Debbie, how is life as a grammar Nazi?
roni
Debbie - I do the best I can with the resources I have, and yes, I do spell check. Please let me know what the mistake is on this post and I'll fix it.
This may give you more insight into my grammar "philosophy"...
http://ronisweigh.com/2011/03/a-professional-blogger-should-not-be-making-these-kind-of-mistakes-my-response.html
Debbie
Great idea! A friendly tip about your blog - spell check is your friend. Considering this is a source of income for you (based on the paid advertising), I'd clean it up by improving the grammar and spelling in your posts.
Chelsi
Made this the other day and added tons of spinach and some fresh tomatoes. It was absolutely delicious and something easy for me to make at work with my George Foreman. Thanks for the recipe!!
Chrissy
This is such an easy idea that I never would have thought to try! I saw this a couple days ago and tried it shortly after! This is delicious! So yummy! Thanks for sharing!
Kim
I can't believe I never thought to use my George Forman for a panini like grill. Thanks for the idea, sounds great!
Linda
WHAT a great Idea and I'm always looking for new ways to use my George Foreman Grill.. I'm making this one tonight!!! 🙂
Julie
OMG I'm SO trying this tomorrow. Thanks, Roni for yet another clever idea!
shandy (@webgals)
Um. That is genius. Must pull out my Foreman and try that.