Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort food at its best: A combination of pizza flavors wrapped in soft French bread—who could resist?
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect snack or meal for when you’re craving pizza without all the hassle.
- Customizable: You can add your favorite toppings or change the cheese and meats to make it your own.
- Great for sharing: This stuffed pizza bread makes a fun and delicious shareable dish for parties, family nights, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 loaf French bread
- 8 oz pizza sauce
- 3 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Directions
- Prepare the bread:
Cut the loaf of French bread in half crosswise. Slice off the top of each half and scoop out the center of the bread, leaving about ½ inch around the edges to form a “boat.” - Fill the bread:
Spread pizza sauce inside each hollowed-out bread half. Next, fill each half with the shredded Italian cheese blend. - Add the toppings:
Top with mini pepperoni slices and sprinkle with oregano, basil, and garlic powder. - Bake:
Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. - Finish and serve:
Remove from the oven and garnish with additional seasonings as desired. Slice and serve while warm.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 slices
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Swap the pepperoni: Use cooked, crumbled Italian sausage, ground beef, or bacon as an alternative to pepperoni.
- Add veggies: Try adding mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Cheese swap: Use any type of shredded cheese—mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone all work great!
- Mini versions: Make individual servings by using sub rolls instead of a full loaf of bread.
- Spicy kick: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of parmesan on top for a bit of heat and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftover stuffed bread can be wrapped tightly in foil or stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place it in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted again.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, you can use any type of bread that can hold the filling, such as hoagie rolls, baguettes, or ciabatta.
2. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the bread and add the toppings in advance. When ready, just bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted.
3. Can I add more toppings?
Absolutely! Feel free to add olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or anything else you love on pizza.
4. Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Skip the pepperoni and add extra veggies like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers for a vegetarian option.
5. Can I freeze this bread?
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the stuffed bread before baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then bake from frozen at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes! Feel free to swap in mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, or any cheese of your choice.
7. How do I store leftover stuffed pizza bread?
Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap the bread tightly in foil. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
8. How can I make this spicier?
Add some red pepper flakes or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
9. Can I use homemade pizza sauce?
Yes, homemade pizza sauce would work wonderfully in this recipe! Just use a similar amount as the store-bought pizza sauce.
10. Can I make this in a different size?
If you don’t have a large loaf of bread, you can use sub rolls for individual servings or adjust the ingredients to fit your bread size.
Conclusion
This Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Bread is a simple yet indulgent dish perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether it’s game night, a sleepover, or a casual meal, this cheesy, saucy treat is sure to satisfy your pizza cravings. So grab some bread, cheese, and toppings, and get ready for a deliciously cheesy experience!
Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Bread is a quick and easy comfort food featuring a loaf of French bread filled with pizza sauce, melted cheese, and pepperoni, perfect for sharing at parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
1 loaf French bread
8 oz pizza sauce
3 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
½ cup mini pepperoni slices
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut the loaf of French bread in half crosswise and scoop out the center, leaving about ½ inch around the edges to form a ‘boat.’
- Spread pizza sauce inside each hollowed-out bread half. Fill each half with the shredded cheese blend.
- Top with mini pepperoni slices and sprinkle with oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
- Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with additional seasonings if desired. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Swap pepperoni for cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, or bacon.
Add veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, or spinach for added flavor.
For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or sprinkle parmesan on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
