Meat Lovers Pizza Bread Recipe

Hey friends! Let me introduce you to my ultimate comfort food creation: Meat Lovers Pizza Bread. It’s like a cozy Italian hug straight from the oven, ready to satisfy all your cheesy, meaty cravings in one delicious bite.

I take absolute delight in making dishes that radiate comfort and satisfaction. My Meat Lovers Pizza Bread is no exception.

It starts with a loaf of Italian bread, halved and slathered in a good marinara sauce. I topped it with a blend that surely any meat lover would appreciate: mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ham, and just the right amount of herbs to pull it all together.

Ingredients

• Italian Bread: Provides carbohydrates for energy; crispy base for toppings.
• Olive Oil: Enhances flavor, adds healthy fats; promotes heart health.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds tangy sweetness; source of vitamins A and C.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Offers creamy texture; rich in protein and calcium.
• Italian Sausage: Savory taste; boosts protein content.
• Pepperoni Slices: Adds spiciness; good source of protein.
• Bacon Pieces: Provides smoky richness; enhances umami flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat; stimulates metabolism.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/4 cup cooked bacon pieces
• 1/4 cup sliced ham, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

How to Make this

1. Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and heat it up.

2. Set the Italian bread cut in half onto a baking sheet, with the cut sides facing up.

3. Apply olive oil to the sliced edges of the bread.

4. Distribute the marinara sauce uniformly across the two pieces of bread.

5. Distribute the sauce lavishly; then shower the grated mozzarella over it.

6. Distribute evenly the cooked sausage, pepperoni slices, bacon pieces, and chopped ham over the cheese.

7. If you enjoy some spiciness, dust the toppings with red pepper flakes.

8. Complete the process by showering the grated Parmesan cheese, the dried oregano, and the dried basil all over the top.

9. 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven and you will have braai cheese and toast that is fit for any occasion. Melted cheese, toasty bread, and even some butter contribute to an end product that is incredibly rich on the palate.

10. Take the pizza from the oven, cool it for a minute, and then portion it into slices. Now you are ready to serve! Your Meat Lovers Pizza Bread is very much enjoyable.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Bread knife
4. Pastry brush (for applying olive oil)
5. Spoon (for spreading marinara sauce)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Grater (for Parmesan cheese, if not pre-grated)
8. Cutting board
9. Knife (for chopping ham)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of bread?Certainly! If you prefer, you can use French bread or a baguette in place of this.
• How do I make the pizza bread spicy?For an extra kick, use more red pepper flakes or substitute spicy Italian sausage.
• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?Replace the meats with vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and portobello mushrooms.
• Can I prepare this in advance?The pizza bread can be put together several hours in advance and baked just before serving.
• What is the best way to reheat leftovers?Heat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10 minutes until the cheese is melty once more.
• Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?Yes, it is possible to utilize fresh basil and oregano; simply up the amounts to taste, as fresh herbs are less potent than dried ones. That said, here are a few more options for using fresh herbs and evaluating their flavor:

  1. You can substitute any of the above herbs with fresh basil or oregano.
  2. Fresh herbs can be evaluated by your taste buds.
  3. You can always use more of any of the above herbs if you like their flavor.
  4. Fresh herbs shouldn’t be cooked as long as dried.
  5. Fresh herbs can be used in the same amounts as dried herbs.

Meat Lovers Pizza Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Bread from Italy: If it’s not handy, use de pan francés o un baguette de trigo integral.
Marinara dense: Use a tomato base. Substitute with pizza sauce or crushed tomatoes. Boost flavor with salt and garlic.
Substitute with a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses; this yields a milder flavor.
If Italian sausage isn’t available, consider trying this: Use ground beef and mix in Italian herbs to give it that signature Italian sausage flavor.
Salami or turkey pepperoni: Use in place of pepperoni slices for a different flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Crispier Bread For extra crispiness, toast the bread halves in the oven for about 5 minutes before adding any toppings. This will help prevent the bread from becoming too soggy from the sauce.

2. Layering Cheese To enhance the flavor and ensure the toppings stick well, sprinkle a small layer of mozzarella cheese under the toppings as well as over them. This acts as an adhesive for the toppings.

3. Even Topping Distribution To achieve balanced flavor in every bite, ensure the toppings are evenly distributed across the bread. This will also help the bread cook evenly.

4. Herb Infusion Enhance the flavor by mixing the olive oil with the dried oregano and basil before brushing it onto the bread. This will infuse the bread with a more aromatic, herby flavor.

5. Parmesan Finishing After baking, add an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top while the pizza bread is still hot. This gives an extra layer of cheesy flavor and a touch of sophistication.