Garbage Bread Recipe
Imagine biting into a warm, gooey slice of savory heaven stuffed with all your favorite pizza fixings—yes, that’s exactly what you’ll get with this Garbage Bread Recipe! It’s the ultimate party food or Friday night family dinner crowd-pleaser, packed with a medley of meats, cheeses, and colorful veggies all baked inside a soft, golden crust. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also the perfect vehicle for cleaning out your fridge, making it as practical as it is tasty.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Garbage Bread Recipe is in its playful mix-and-match approach. Every ingredient earns its spot, giving you layers of texture, melty cheese pulls, meaty bites, and just enough zing from the veggies. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this flavor-packed bread to life:
- Pizza Dough: This is the foundation of the recipe—store-bought makes it quick, but homemade works beautifully if you’re feeling extra crafty.
- Ground Beef: Adds rich, hearty flavor and a satisfying bite that makes this bread extra filling.
- Pepperoni Slices (chopped): Packs that classic spicy, smoky kick reminiscent of your favorite pizza.
- Cooked and Crumbled Bacon: Lends a salty crunch and irresistible aroma—bacon lovers, rejoice!
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers gooey stretchiness and that dreamy melted core.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp depth and develops golden bubbly spots in the oven.
- Diced Onions: Brings a mild sweetness and just the right amount of zing once baked in.
- Diced Bell Peppers: Infuses a pop of color and tender-crisp freshness throughout every slice.
- Pizza Sauce: Coats everything in tangy goodness and is a must for both inside the bread and for dipping.
- Italian Seasoning: Sprinkles in herby notes for an authentic pizzeria flair.
- Olive Oil: Brushed over the top for a golden, shiny finish that begs you to dig in.
How to Make Garbage Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Let’s get the party started by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your Garbage Bread slides right off once it’s baked (plus cleanup will take seconds). You’ll want to have everything ready before assembly for a seamless experience.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Grab your trusty skillet and set it over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until it’s browned and cooked through, which should take about 5-6 minutes. Once it’s done, drain off any excess fat—you want all the flavor but none of the greasiness. Set it aside and let it cool just a bit so it doesn’t melt the cheese too soon.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
On a floured surface, take your pizza dough and roll it into a big rectangle, about 10×14 inches. No need for perfection! A little rustic charm just adds to the magic of this Garbage Bread Recipe. Aim for an even thickness so everything bakes up beautifully.
Step 4: Layer the Fillings
Spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a one-inch border. Now, it’s time to layer on the good stuff: scatter the ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, mozzarella, cheddar, onions, and bell peppers evenly. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning generously on top for a burst of flavor in each bite. The fun here is that you can get creative—any leftovers in your fridge can be swapped in!
Step 5: Roll and Seal
Carefully roll up the dough lengthwise into a tight log, gently tucking in the sides as you go. This keeps all the melty, savory goodness tucked safely inside. Once rolled, place it seam-side down on the baking sheet and use a sharp knife to make a few small slits along the top. These little vents let out steam and help the loaf bake evenly.
Step 6: Brush and Bake
Brush the top of your assembled loaf with olive oil—that’s your ticket to that glossy, golden finish. Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the Garbage Bread Recipe is golden brown and the scent filling your kitchen is absolutely irresistible.
Step 7: Rest and Slice
Once it’s out of the oven, let the bread rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set just enough so you get gorgeous slices (and not a molten mess). Cut thick or thin slices—dealer’s choice—and serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping. Watch how fast it disappears!
How to Serve Garbage Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your slices with a scatter of fresh parsley or basil for color, or a dusting of grated parmesan for that irresistible finishing touch. If you love a bit of spice, serve with crushed red pepper flakes on the side for sprinkling.
Side Dishes
This Garbage Bread Recipe is hearty enough to stand alone, but it also shines next to a crisp green salad, some classic Caesar, or crunchy garlic knots. For a lighter touch, serve with cucumber-tomato salad or roasted veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the loaf and arrange the pieces on a big platter with small bowls of marinara, ranch, or garlic butter for dipping. If you want a wow factor, bake smaller individual rolls for easy grab-and-go servings—perfect for game days!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Garbage Bread Recipe slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep beautifully for up to three days, making for the ultimate quick lunch or after-school snack.
Freezing
Garbage Bread freezes surprisingly well! Wrap whole or sliced cooled bread tightly in foil and then seal in a freezer bags. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to revive that irresistible crispy crust and gooey center. If you’re in a hurry, a quick zap in the microwave will do, but the oven really brings it back to bakery-fresh glory.
FAQs
Can I use different meats in Garbage Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is all about using whatever meats you love or have on hand—try sausage, diced ham, or even leftover grilled chicken for a delicious twist.
Is homemade pizza dough better than store-bought?
It’s completely up to you! Store-bought dough saves time and is super convenient, but homemade dough adds a special touch and lets you customize flavors. Both versions work beautifully in this Garbage Bread Recipe.
What’s the best way to prevent the filling from leaking out?
Be sure to leave a clean border when you spread the sauce, and pinch or tuck the dough ends tightly after rolling. Placing the seam-side down on the baking sheet also helps keep everything secure.
How do I make this vegetarian?
Just skip the meats and load up with extra veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and olives. Maybe add a handful more cheese for creamy, melty perfection in your vegetarian Garbage Bread Recipe.
Can I prep Garbage Bread ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the bread (roll and all), then cover and refrigerate for a few hours before baking. Just let it come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then proceed as usual.
Final Thoughts
Seriously, if you’re looking to win over a crowd or just want to treat yourself to something extra comforting, this Garbage Bread Recipe is a must-try. Don’t be afraid to get creative and use up those odds and ends in the fridge—this is one recipe where anything goes, and every bite is pure cheesy, meaty bliss!
Print
Garbage Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy this hearty Garbage Bread, a delicious amalgamation of ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and cheeses rolled into pizza dough and baked until golden brown. Perfect for game days or a fun way to use up fridge leftovers!
Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Filling:
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (chopped)
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup diced bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons pizza sauce (plus more for dipping)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the beef: Cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread pizza sauce, layer with beef, pepperoni, bacon, cheeses, onions, and bell peppers. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Roll and bake: Roll the dough into a log, place on the baking sheet, brush with olive oil, make slits, and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Let it rest, slice, and serve warm with extra pizza sauce.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite meats, cheeses, or vegetables for a personalized twist.
- Perfect for using up leftovers and ideal for gatherings or casual meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
