The Best French Bread Pizza Recipe: Crispy, Cheesy Goodness

Pizza nights just got a deliciously easy upgrade with french bread as the perfect crispy canvas.

Slicing a crusty loaf lengthwise opens up a world of quick meal possibilities.

Weeknight dinners demand simple solutions that taste incredible.

Melted cheese, zesty sauce, and your favorite toppings turn this humble bread into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Anyone can become a kitchen hero with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Forget complicated recipes and complicated techniques – this approach guarantees smiles around the table.

Dive in and create your own delectable version that will have everyone asking for seconds.

French Bread Pizza Fast Fun And Fully Customizable

• Speedy Weeknight Savior: Whip up this French bread pizza in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a quick and delicious meal without extensive cooking skills.
• Quick Kitchen Hack: Transform simple French bread into a mouthwatering pizza using pantry staples and minimal prep, making it an ideal solution for last-minute dinner emergencies.
• Customize with Ease: Switch up ingredients based on preferences or available items in your fridge, allowing endless variations that keep the meal exciting and personal.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Leverage affordable ingredients like French bread, sausage, and basic cheese to create a restaurant-style meal at a fraction of the cost, stretching your grocery budget while satisfying hungry appetites.

What You’ll Layer in French Bread Pizza

• French Bread Loaf: Provides the perfect crispy foundation for a quick pizza, soft interior with a crusty exterior works best.
• Olive Oil: Helps bread become golden and adds rich flavor, extra virgin recommended for best taste.

• Sausage, Onions, Olives: Hearty mix of savory protein and classic pizza vegetable toppings, choose fresh and high-quality ingredients.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Classic melty cheese blend with sharp additional flavor, shredded varieties melt most evenly.
• Pasta Sauce: Provides moisture and traditional pizza base, marinara or tomato sauce works well.

• Oregano, Garlic Powder, Crushed Red Pepper: Classic Italian-style pizza seasonings, adds depth and heat to the dish, adjust to personal spice preference.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds extra cheese flavor and texture when serving, freshly grated recommended.

Assemble French Bread Pizza Easily

Step 1: Sizzle The Sausage

Brown the sausage in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Break up the meat into small pieces while cooking.

Once fully cooked, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.

Step 2: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F, getting ready for pizza magic.

Step 3: Slice And Brush The Bread

Slice the French bread lengthwise into two equal halves.

Generously brush the inside of each bread piece with olive oil for extra flavor and crispiness.

Step 4: Layer The Pizza Goodness

Spread pasta sauce across each bread half, creating a delicious base.

• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Cooked sausage
• Chopped onions
• Sliced olives
• Additional mozzarella cheese

Sprinkle oregano and garlic powder over the top for an aromatic finish.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Place the loaded bread on a baking sheet.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Keep an eye out for melted, bubbly cheese and golden-brown edges.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer to a cutting board and slice into portions.

Offer crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese on the side for extra zing.

Pizza Tips That Elevate French Bread Flavor

• Select a fresh, crusty French bread with a soft interior for the best pizza base that holds toppings perfectly.
• Pat cooked sausage with paper towels to remove excess grease, ensuring a crispy and not soggy pizza texture.
• Spread sauce thinly to prevent bread from becoming soggy, and distribute cheese and toppings evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.
• Swap sausage with vegetarian alternatives like bell peppers or mushrooms for a lighter version, or use gluten-free bread for dietary restrictions.
• Check pizza at 12 minutes to prevent burning, aiming for golden-brown edges and fully melted cheese that's bubbling slightly.

French Bread Pizza Stores Well for a Quick Bite

• Store leftover French bread pizza in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap each slice individually in aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Warm slices at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Place directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet to restore crispy edges and melty cheese.
• Heat for 30-45 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Watch carefully to prevent overcooking, which can make the bread tough and cheese rubbery.
• Skip freezing these pizzas, as the bread's texture will become mushy and soggy upon thawing.

What Complements French Bread Pizza

• Craft Bold Wine Pairing: Choose a robust red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich sausage and cut through the creamy cheese, enhancing every savory bite.
• Chill Perfect Beer Match: Select a crisp amber ale or medium-bodied lager that balances the pizza's meaty flavors and provides a refreshing contrast to the melted cheese.
• Create Zesty Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and acidity, which will cleanse the palate between hearty pizza slices.
• Elevate Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the pizza to introduce a fresh, green note that lifts the overall flavor profile and adds visual appeal.

Baked French Pizza Styles

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace sausage with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach for a meat-free version packed with nutrients and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap French bread with gluten-free cauliflower crust or gluten-free baguette to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use zucchini boats or large portobello mushroom caps instead of bread, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining pizza essence.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute mozzarella with crumbled feta cheese, add sliced kalamata olives, and sprinkle with fresh oregano for a Greek-style pizza experience.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, you can substitute French bread with Italian bread, ciabatta, or even a baguette. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the toppings without getting soggy.

• Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the sausage with plant-based sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or any other vegetable you enjoy. The key is to maintain similar flavor profiles.

• How do I prevent the bread from becoming too crispy or burnt?

To avoid over-toasting, keep an eye on the pizza during the last 5 minutes of baking. If the edges are browning too quickly, you can cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

• Can I prepare these pizzas ahead of time?

You can assemble the pizzas and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re cold from the fridge.

French Bread Pizza Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy French bread pizza delivers a quick, mouthwatering twist on classic Italian comfort food. Melted cheese, zesty sauce, and personalized toppings create a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed and torn into pieces

Bread and Base:

• 1 loaf French bread (about 18 inches long)
• 3/4 to 1 cup (177 to 237 milliliters) pasta sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil

Toppings and Seasonings:

• 78 ounces (2,211 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) white onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) black olives, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Crushed red pepper, for serving (optional)
• Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sizzle the sausage in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
2. Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing for the pizza transformation.
3. Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise, creating two symmetrical halves. Generously brush the inner surfaces with olive oil to enhance flavor and crispiness.
4. Layer each bread half with a thin spread of pasta sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Distribute most of the mozzarella cheese across the bread, creating a creamy base. Strategically arrange cooked sausage, diced onions, and sliced olives over the cheese.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with a dusting of oregano and garlic powder to intensify the aromatic profile.
6. Position the loaded bread pieces on a baking sheet, ideally with a cooling rack to promote even heating. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching closely to achieve a perfectly golden, crispy crust and fully melted cheese.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Optional: Garnish with crushed red pepper and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor kick before serving.

Notes

• Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian versions, ensuring the same savory flavor profile and crispy texture.
• Select French bread that’s slightly stale for better sauce absorption and crunchier base without getting soggy during baking.
• Customize toppings by adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition and vibrant colors.
• Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid and achieve perfectly crisp pizza edges without compromising cheese meltiness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 690
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg