{taste this} pressed pizza paninis

With baseball season in full swing, our dinners need to be fairly quick so we can head out to the fields for practice or games ... but I really hate to head straight to the freezer or microwave every night.  These sandwiches are a fun twist on a grilled cheese and can be adapted for your family's favorite pizza combinations!

If you like pizza, you are going to want to {taste this} ... pressed pizza paninis!!

pressed pizza paninis
Yield:  4 sandwiches

4 sandwich/hamburger buns
8 slices of deli ham
8 - 12 slices of deli pepperoni (depending on size and thickness)
4 slices mozzarella cheese
4 slices provolone cheese
pizza sauce for dipping

On each bottom bun, layer:  1 slice of mozzarella cheese, 2 slices of ham, 2-3 slices of pepperoni and top with 1 slice of provolone cheese.  Add top bun and place the sandwiches in a large skillet (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray if necessary). Use a second skillet or a heat safe dinner plate to SMASH the sandwiches down.  You will need to weigh down the second skillet/plate to keep the sandwiches pressed while toasting.  (I hit our cabinets and used baked beans, apple pie filling, soup and a big jar of salsa ... the hubs could not figure out what in the world I was making when he saw those 4 things grouped on the counter, ha ha!)  When the bottom of the panini is toasted, use a spatula to flip carefully and replace the skillet/plate and the weights.

Of course, if you have a sandwich press, this whole process got much easier ;) 

When the buns are golden brown on both sides and the cheeses are melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before cutting each panini in half.  Serve with a side of pizza sauce sprinkled with a little Parmesan cheese for dipping.

I served these sandwiches with a basic pasta salad and my three guys were pretty happy!

If you need a few more easy week night meals, try ...

Slow Cooker Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Crock Pot Tacos

Chicken Pesto Pasta

This project or recipe was shared at all the blogs on my Link page! Go take a peek ... they rock!