Description
This Garlic Bread Pizza recipe is a delicious and easy twist on classic garlic bread, topped with savory pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, it combines the buttery garlic flavors with the melty goodness of pizza cheese all baked on a crispy French bread base.
Ingredients
Bread and Butter Mixture
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread
- 1/2 cup unsalted softened butter
- 3-6 cloves garlic, grated with a microplane, finely chopped, or pressed
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded, not pre-grated)
- 1-2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch salt (omit if using salted butter)
Pizza Toppings
- 12-17 oz. pizza sauce (your favorite brand)
- 2 cups low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni
For Serving
- Fresh basil
- Black pepper
- Chili flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Bread: Slice the French or Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise and place the halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Optionally, to keep the bread flat and prevent curling, press down gently with another baking sheet or a clean cutting board.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, grated or minced garlic, freshly shredded Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or hand mixer until well blended.
- Apply Garlic Butter: Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes to toast and infuse the bread with garlic flavor.
- Add Pizza Toppings: Remove the toasted bread from the oven. Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over each half, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and arrange pepperoni slices on top. Add any additional toppings you prefer.
- Bake Pizza Bread: Return the topped bread to the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra browning, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end if desired—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, extra grated Parmesan, chili flakes, black pepper, and serve with ranch dressing or extra pizza sauce on the side. Slice the bread into portions and enjoy your garlic bread pizza!
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; adjust the amount based on how garlicky you prefer your bread.
- Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese melts better and provides superior taste compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Pressing the bread to prevent curling during the initial bake helps maintain a flat surface for easy topping application.
- Broiling at the end is optional but gives a lovely browned cheese crust—keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to your taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Serving with ranch or additional pizza sauce is optional but adds extra flavor and moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
