Pizza Pull Apart Bread (25 Minutes)

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Pull-apart pizza bread is a fun and interactive way to enjoy the flavors of pizza in a shareable form. This dish transforms a simple loaf of bread into a cheesy, savory treat with pizza toppings, ideal for casual gatherings or as a family-friendly snack.

The bread is pre-sliced, allowing for easy pulling apart of individual pieces. Filled with cheese, pizza sauce, and your favorite pizza toppings, each bite offers a mini pizza experience, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 large loaf of Italian or sourdough bread
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or other toppings like cooked sausage, bell peppers, onions)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven (5 minutes): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  2. Prepare the Bread (5 minutes): Meanwhile, slice the loaf of bread, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom crust.
  3. Add Cheese and Toppings (5 minutes): Gently pry open the bread slices and stuff with shredded mozzarella cheese and your choice of pizza toppings. Drizzle pizza sauce into the crevices.
  4. Season (2 minutes): In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture over the top, sides, and inside the crevices of the bread.
  5. Bake (20 minutes): Place the prepared loaf on the baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasty.
  6. Garnish and Serve (3 minutes): Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil over the bread if desired. Serve hot, encouraging guests to pull apart individual bread pieces.

Notes

This pizza bread is all about convenience and flavor. The key is to cut the bread deep enough to hold the fillings but leave the bottom intact to keep everything together.

Choose a good quality bread that can hold up to the stuffing and baking without becoming too soggy or too dry.

This dish is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different pizza toppings to suit your taste. It’s a great way to enjoy the communal aspect of food, perfect for sharing and enjoying together.

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Pair this with...

Homemade Marinara

Kick things off with some ripe, juicy tomatoes – Roma or San Marzano are excellent choices. In a large pot, sauté finely diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until they're translucent. As they soften, they'll lay the aromatic foundation for your sauce. Next, add in the tomatoes, either crushed or finely diced, depending on your texture preference. To elevate the flavors, toss in some seasonings: salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of sugar to balance the acidity. Herbs like basil, oregano, and a bay leaf can be added to infuse the sauce with earthy notes. Let everything simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld. Over time, the sauce will thicken and develop a rich, robust character. Once you're happy with its consistency and taste, remove it from the heat.

Marinated Artichokes

Start with fresh artichoke hearts. If you're using whole artichokes, trim away the outer leaves and steam until tender, then scoop out the inner fuzzy choke, leaving just the tender heart. For the marinade, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, a pinch of dried oregano (or fresh herbs if you have them), salt, and pepper. Add a little red pepper flake if you're in the mood for some heat. Immerse the artichoke hearts in this marinade and let them soak in all that zesty goodness for a few hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Before serving, top with fresh parsley or other fresh herbs.

Baked Tomatoes with Cheese

Start by selecting some plump, ripe tomatoes. Slice off the tops and scoop out a bit of the insides, making a small well in each. Drizzle a little olive oil over the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Place them in a baking dish. Now, choose your favorite cheese – mozzarella, cheddar, feta, or even Parmesan all work wonderfully. Generously top each tomato with your cheese of choice. Pop them into a preheated oven and bake until the tomatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden. Allow them to cool for a moment before serving and top with fresh herbs if desired.

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Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!