This quick and easy Pizza Bread recipe tastes better than anything you’d find in your grocery store’s frozen pizza aisle.
Ah, pizza bread. It’s the kind of recipe reserved for the parenting years. If you had told me—pre-kids—that I’d be baking batches of this stuff on a near-monthly basis, I would’ve laughed in your face. Pizza bread was too gauche for my hipster, childless self. I mean, I don’t even have to make my own sauce? I just plop everything on bread and bake it? Nasty, man. Just give me a frozen pizza and call it a day.
Well, that was then, and this is now. And at this current stage of my existence, the pantry is stocked with things I never thought would grace my kitchen, like mac and cheese and Goldfish crackers. And you know what? I love it. Because pizza bread, especially my pizza bread, tastes delicious. It’s all about the quality of ingredients. I use pizza sauce from a neighborhood restaurant, organic mozzarella, and the Italian bread? From my local bakery—the best. But you can absolutely snag everything you need from your grocery store or Costco. You do you. Either way, your kids are going to love this.
As far as taste goes, pizza bread is on the saucier side. I like adding more because the bread is thick enough to take it. While you can go with any topping you’d like, mini pepperonis are a perfect fit. Ground Italian sausage is another great option. And for the adults, finish with a topping of fresh basil or oregano. Serve it as the main event for sleepovers and birthday parties, or slice it up as an appetizer. It’ll be a hit!
The bread matters
While pizza bread may be almost juvenilistically simple, this recipe is the sum of its parts, perhaps the most important being the Italian bread. It’s thick, durable, and the edges crust beautifully. You don’t need to use Italian, though you should avoid flimsy sandwich bread or anything with a softer base. In the past, I’ve tried ciabatta, a crusty, chewy bread, perfect for pizza. Hoagie or sub rolls are great, too, for individual portions and toppings. You can also go the baguette route. They’re narrower, but they hold up well and crisp up nicely in the oven.
How do I store leftovers?
While these are best enjoyed fresh, you can refrigerate your leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Definitely don’t microwave these guys because it’ll soften the bread and make it too chewy. Stick to your oven or toaster oven—350°F for 5 to 8 minutes should do the trick.
Serving suggestions
Serve your pizza bread with Caesar Salad or a tangy Italian Salad. And for the kids, give them some freshly cut carrots, celery, and maybe a Fresh Fruit Bowl to share. If serving this as an appetizer, pair it with other Italian-inspired bites, including Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs, Bruschetta, and Fried Zucchini Sticks!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread about 16-17 inches long
- Olive oil as needed for brushing
- 1 cup pizza sauce low-sodium, plain
- 1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Mini pepperonis as needed (optional)
- Fresh basil or oregano chopped (for optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F so it is hot and ready.
- Cut the loaf in half lengthwise to expose the soft interior. Brush a thin layer of olive oil evenly over the cut surface of each half.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over it.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Lightly sprinkle Italian seasoning on top. If using, place mini pepperonis as a topping.
- Place the prepared bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are lightly toasted.
- Remove the pizza bread from the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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