Buttery, flaky croissants filled with melted mozzarella, smoked turkey, mini pepperoni, and marinara sauce. Perfect for a weekend lunch, game day, or whenever that pizza craving hits!
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I was craving pizza the other day, but then I remembered I had a few beautiful Costco croissants sitting in my kitchen. They were about two days old, and I wanted to use them before they went to waste.
Well, nothing really goes to waste in my house. Haha! If I hadn’t been craving pizza, I probably would’ve turned them into a breakfast casserole or something else.
Anyway, I decided to make pizza sandwiches instead.
My original plan was to use ham, but I didn’t have any. I did have smoked deli turkey, mini pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce. Sounded pretty good to me!
I sliced the croissants in half, added the fillings, topped everything with another layer of cheese, and baked them for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Oh, they were DIVINE!
The croissants were crispy on the outside, with melted mozzarella and all those delicious pizza flavors tucked inside. My boys and my husband loved them, too, which is always a good sign around here.
I think these would be fantastic for a quick weekend lunch, especially when we’re watching a football game. Or, you know, for those days when you’re craving pizza but don’t feel like making one.
And don’t feel like you need to stick to my combination. Think about all the different pizza toppings out there. You could make these sandwiches a dozen different ways and probably never get bored.
What I Used for My Pizza Croissant Sandwiches
You only need a few ingredients, and there’s a good chance you already have most of them in your refrigerator.
Croissants: I used large Costco croissants that were two days old. They were still perfectly good, just not as soft as when I first bought them. After a few minutes in the oven, they crisped up beautifully.
Marinara sauce: I used about two tablespoons per croissant. That was enough to give them a nice pizza flavor without soaking the bread. Pizza sauce works just as well.
Mozzarella cheese: I used two slices per sandwich, cutting each slice in half so it would fit better. I placed one slice underneath the meat and the other on top. I loved how evenly the cheese melted.
Smoked deli turkey: One large slice per croissant was plenty for me. I simply folded it to fit inside. You can use ham, salami, or another deli meat if you prefer.
Mini pepperoni: I added a layer over the turkey. You can add as much or as little as you like. I think the mini ones work particularly well for sandwiches.
That’s what I used, and I really didn’t feel like anything was missing.
How to Make Pizza Croissant Sandwiches
These are incredibly simple to put together, especially since the croissants are already baked.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the croissants horizontally using a serrated knife. Be gentle so you don’t flatten them.
- Add the fillings. Spread about two tablespoons of marinara sauce over the bottom half of each croissant. Add one slice of mozzarella, cut in half, followed by the smoked turkey and mini pepperoni. Finish with the second slice of mozzarella, also cut in half.
- Close the sandwiches and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the croissants are golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them because they’re already baked and can brown quickly.
- Serve warm. Give them a minute to cool slightly before taking that first bite. The melted cheese is going to be hot!
That’s all there is to it. You have a warm, cheesy sandwich in about 15 minutes.
Other Pizza Croissant Sandwich Fillings to Try
Now, let’s talk about the fillings because there are so many possibilities.
I made mine with smoked turkey and mini pepperoni because that’s what I had, but you can use your favorite pizza toppings for inspiration.
Here are a few combinations I’d love to try:
- Classic Pepperoni: Marinara, mozzarella, and plenty of pepperoni.
- Ham and Cheese: Sliced ham, mozzarella, and a little marinara. This was actually my original idea!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch: Cooked chicken, crispy bacon, mozzarella, and ranch dressing instead of marinara.
- BBQ Chicken: Cooked chicken, BBQ sauce, red onion, and mozzarella.
- Veggie Pizza: Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, and mozzarella.
- Meat Lovers: Pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, ham, and cheese.
- Margherita-Inspired: Marinara, mozzarella, and fresh basil added after baking.
You could even make different sandwiches for everyone in the family, depending on what they like.
Just remember that croissants are more delicate than regular sandwich rolls. I wouldn’t pile on too many fillings, especially anything that contains a lot of moisture.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Don’t overdo the sauce.
I used about two tablespoons for each large Costco croissant, and it worked well. If you’re using smaller croissants, you may want to use a little less.
Sliced mozzarella works beautifully.
I liked using slices because they were easy to layer without cheese falling everywhere. Shredded mozzarella works, too, but I would choose low-moisture cheese for either option.
Cook any raw fillings first.
The baking time is just long enough to melt the cheese and toast the croissants. If you’re adding chicken, sausage, bacon, or vegetables that need cooking, prepare those before assembling the sandwiches.
Don’t walk away from the oven.
Croissants are already golden when you buy them, and those thin, flaky edges can darken quickly. Check them around the eight-minute mark.
What to Serve With Pizza Croissant Sandwiches
For lunch, I think a simple green salad or some fresh vegetables would be more than enough.
If I’m serving these while we’re watching a game, I’d probably cut them in half and put them on a platter with extra marinara for dipping.
They’re also a good option for those evenings when everyone is hungry, but you don’t feel like spending much time preparing dinner.
Can You Make Them Ahead?
I would prepare the ingredients ahead of time but wait to assemble the sandwiches until you’re ready to bake them.
Once the sauce goes on, the croissant will slowly absorb some of that moisture. Since assembly takes only a few minutes, there’s really no need to make them too far in advance.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
These are definitely best straight from the oven, but you can save any leftovers.
Refrigerate them in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. I recommend eating them within two to three days, provided the ingredients were fresh when you made them.
To reheat, place the sandwiches on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, approximately 5 to 10 minutes, depending on their size and temperature.
I prefer reheating croissants in the oven because it helps bring back some of that crispy texture.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you like these Pizza Croissant Sandwiches, you might also enjoy a few more recipes from my kitchen:
- Easy and Tasty Mini Biscuit Pizza Bombs
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bacon Sliders
- Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Chicken Sausage
- Bacon Eggs and Cheese Croissant Sandwiches
Before You Go
Now I’m curious. If you were making these pizza croissant sandwiches, what would you put inside?
I went with smoked turkey and mini pepperoni this time, but I can already think of a few other combinations I’d like to try.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. I’d especially love to hear what fillings you used
And if you make them, please tag me on Instagram @sandraseasycooking. I love seeing your creations, especially when you put your own spin on one of my recipes.
Happy Cooking!
Sandra
P.S. I am new to Substack, but I would appreciate your support! Follow me here or subscribe.
Thank you!
Pizza Croissant Sandwiches
Buttery, flaky croissants filled with marinara sauce, smoked turkey, mini pepperoni, and layers of melted mozzarella cheese. Baked until golden and crispy, these sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch, game day, or whenever you're craving pizza!
Ingredients
- 4 large bakery croissants (I used Costco croissants)
- ½ cup (120 ml) marinara or pizza sauce, approximately 2 tablespoons per croissant
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese, 2 slices per croissant, each cut in half to fit better
- 4 large slices deli turkey, 1 slice per croissant
- ⅓ to ½ cup mini pepperoni slices, or as much as you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the croissants: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each croissant in half horizontally, just like you would when making a sandwich. Try not to press down too hard so you don't flatten those beautiful flaky layers.
- Add the sauce: Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of marinara or pizza sauce over the bottom half of each croissant.
- Layer the cheese: Cut each mozzarella slice in half so it fits better inside the croissant. Place the two halves of one slice over the sauce.
- Add the smoked turkey: Fold one large slice of deli smoked turkey to fit neatly over the cheese.
- Add the pepperoni: Arrange a layer of mini pepperoni over the smoked turkey. Add as much or as little as you like.
- Finish with more cheese: Top the pepperoni with the remaining mozzarella slice, also cut in half, then place the top half of the croissant back on.
- Bake: Arrange the assembled croissants on your prepared baking sheet. Bake for approximately 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the croissants are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them toward the end because croissants can brown quickly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let them rest for a minute or two before serving. Enjoy while they're still warm and the cheese is beautifully melted!
Notes
Croissants: I used two-day-old Costco croissants, and they worked beautifully. This is a great way to use leftover bakery croissants.
Cheese: I used two slices of mozzarella per sandwich, cutting each slice in half so they fit better. Provolone or an Italian cheese blend would also work.
Sauce: I used about 2 tablespoons per croissant, but you can adjust the amount depending on the size of your croissants and your preference.
Sandwich fillings: Smoked turkey and mini pepperoni were my choice, but feel free to use ham, salami, cooked chicken, cooked sausage, or your favorite pizza toppings.
Vegetables: Mushrooms, peppers, onions, and spinach are delicious additions. Cook vegetables with excess moisture before adding them.
Serving: These sandwiches are best enjoyed straight from the oven while the croissants are crispy and the cheese is still melted.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through to help restore their crispy texture.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per ServingCalories 560Total Fat 33gSaturated Fat 19gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 82mgSodium 1250mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 24g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate, but we try our best.
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