Oh my gosh, have you ever had one of those nights where you just need something cheesy, comforting, and ready fast? That’s where this cheesy pizza bread comes to the rescue! It’s basically all your favorite pizza flavors rolled up into one glorious, melty loaf. I started making it years ago when my kids begged for stromboli but I wanted something even easier. Now it’s our go-to lazy dinner (though we pretend it’s fancy Italian cuisine). The best part? You probably have all the ingredients sitting in your fridge right now. Let’s turn that pizza craving into reality!
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Pizza Bread
Trust me, this isn’t just another pizza recipe—it’s a game-changer. Here’s why you’ll be obsessed:
- Weeknight superhero: Ready in 40 minutes flat (yes, even after soccer practice chaos).
- No fancy skills needed: If you can roll a burrito, you’ve got this.
- Kid-approved magic: My picky eater actually asks for seconds—miraculous!
- Endless customization: Swap pepperoni for mushrooms, add pesto, go wild!
- Leftover alchemy: Cold slices? Next day’s lunchbox wins.
Seriously, it’s the cheesy, garlicky hug your dinner routine’s been missing.
Ingredients for Cheesy Pizza Bread
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this gooey masterpiece – I promise it’s all simple stuff! The magic happens when these basic ingredients come together:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought makes life easy, but homemade works too)
- 1 cup marinara sauce plus extra for dipping (use your favorite jarred kind)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (the more cheese, the better I say!)
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni (or more if you’re feeling indulgent)
- 1 tbsp olive oil for that golden crust
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (my secret flavor booster)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (because everything’s better with garlic)
- 1 egg for the shiny egg wash
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, but makes it look fancy)
See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find – just pure pizza perfection waiting to happen!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this cheesy pizza bread! Just grab:
- A baking sheet (half-sheet pan works perfectly)
- Parchment paper (lifesaver for easy cleanup)
- A rolling pin (or wine bottle in a pinch—I’ve done it!)
- A pastry brush for that golden egg wash
That’s it! Now let’s get rolling—literally.
How to Make Cheesy Pizza Bread
Okay, let’s turn these simple ingredients into something magical! I’ve made this so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through every delicious step.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (that’s 200°C for my metric friends). While that’s heating up, grab your dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. You want a nice rectangle about ¼ inch thick – don’t stress about perfection! Just make sure to leave about an inch bare around the edges. This border is crucial – it’s like building a cheese dam so nothing leaks out while baking.
Step 2: Layer Fillings
Now for the fun part! Spread your marinara sauce evenly over the dough, keeping that border clean. Pro tip: go easy near the edges so you can seal it later. Then comes the cheese – oh that glorious mozzarella! Sprinkle it evenly, then arrange your pepperoni slices like little edible polka dots. Sometimes I sneak extra cheese in the middle because… why not?
Step 3: Roll and Bake
Carefully start rolling from the long side, keeping it tight but not squeezing out the filling. Once rolled, pinch those seams shut really well – I give mine an extra little squeeze just to be safe. Transfer to your lined baking sheet seam-side down. Brush with egg wash (just beat that egg with a splash of water) and olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Bake for 20-25 minutes until it’s golden brown and smells irresistible. Let it rest 5 minutes before slicing – this is the hardest part but prevents cheesy disaster!
Tips for Perfect Cheesy Pizza Bread
After making this cheesy pizza bread way too many times (not that I’m complaining), I’ve picked up some tricks that make it foolproof:
- Patience is cheesy virtue: That 5-minute rest isn’t optional—it lets the molten cheese settle so you don’t lose half your filling on the first slice!
- Dough shortcuts: Store-bought dough works beautifully (my secret? Trader Joe’s garlic herb version). Let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes—cold dough fights rolling.
- Customize like crazy: Swap pepperoni for cooked sausage, add roasted veggies, or mix in ricotta with the mozzarella for extra creaminess.
- Golden rule: If the top browns too fast, tent with foil for the last 5 minutes.
Trust me, these little tweaks turn good pizza bread into “can I have the recipe?” greatness!
Variations for Cheesy Pizza Bread
The beauty of this recipe? You can twist it a hundred ways! Here are my favorite riffs:
- Meat lovers: Swap pepperoni for crumbled sausage, diced ham, or even bacon bits (because everything’s better with bacon).
- Veggie delight: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers make it feel almost virtuous.
- Cheese experiments: Try provolone for sharpness, or mix in some parmesan for extra umami punch.
- White pizza version: Skip marinara—spread garlic butter instead and load up with ricotta and mozzarella.
Honestly? The only limit is your pizza-loving imagination!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, let me tell you how we devour this cheesy pizza bread in my house! We always keep extra warm marinara on the side for dipping (because more sauce is never wrong). For a full meal, I’ll throw together a quick Caesar salad or some healthy sauteed vegetables—but honestly, it’s perfect all by itself when you’re feeling extra lazy!
Storage and Reheating
Here’s the good news—this cheesy pizza bread keeps like a dream! Leftovers (if you have any) can be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I prefer the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes—it brings back that crispy crust. Microwave works in a pinch, but expect soggier results (still delicious though!).
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real here—this is cheesy pizza bread we’re talking about, not a kale smoothie! But since you asked (or maybe your conscience did), here’s the scoop: each generous slice comes in around 420 calories. Now, before you panic, remember these are just estimates—your actual numbers will dance around based on how heavy-handed you get with the cheese (no judgment from me!).
The full nutrition breakdown includes about 20g of protein to keep you full, and yes, there’s some sodium from that glorious pepperoni. But here’s my philosophy: life’s too short not to enjoy melty, garlicky comfort food sometimes. Just balance it with a salad tomorrow—problem solved!
Disclaimer: Nutrition varies based on ingredients. Values are estimates.
FAQs About Cheesy Pizza Bread
Can I freeze cheesy pizza bread?
Absolutely! Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at 350°F until warmed through—about 15 minutes. The crust won’t be quite as crisp, but the cheesy goodness stays perfect!
Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Of course! My grandma’s pizza dough recipe works beautifully here—just make sure it’s rolled thin enough. The advantage? You can add garlic or herbs right into the dough for extra flavor. Store-bought is great for speed, but homemade adds that special touch.
What’s the best cheese substitute?
If you’re avoiding dairy, try a mix of vegan mozzarella and nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor. For lactose intolerance, aged provolone or cheddar have less lactose. But honestly? Nothing beats real mozzarella’s meltiness—it’s worth the splurge!
Why did my filling leak out?
Two likely culprits: overfilling (I know, it’s tempting!) or not sealing the edges well enough. Next time, leave that 1-inch border clean and really pinch those seams. A little leakage is normal though—consider it rustic charm!
“40-Minute Cheesy Pizza Bread: Irresistibly Gooey Comfort”
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make cheesy pepperoni pizza stromboli, perfect for a quick Italian dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll pizza dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Arrange pepperoni slices across the cheese.
- Carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a log and pinch seams to seal.
- Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush with egg wash and olive oil, then sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and garnish with parsley. Serve with warm marinara sauce.
Notes
- Let the stromboli rest before slicing to prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- Use store-bought pizza dough for a quicker meal.
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg