Description
Meat Lover’s Bread is a savory appetizer featuring a crusty loaf of French or Italian bread topped with a delicious blend of pizza sauce, Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and a trio of melted cheeses. Baked until golden and bubbly, this hearty dish is perfect for parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread, halved lengthwise
- ½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
Meat Toppings
- ½ cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage
- ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
- ½ cup diced pepperoni
Cheeses
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the bread.
- Prepare Bread: Place the bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet to create a stable base for the toppings.
- Spread Sauce: Spread a thin, even layer of pizza sauce or marinara over each bread half to add flavor and moisture.
- Add Meat Toppings: Evenly distribute the cooked sausage, bacon, and diced pepperoni over the sauce layer on both bread halves.
- Sprinkle Cheeses: Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the meats, then top with grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning for added taste.
- Bake: Bake the assembled bread in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the edges of the bread are golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then slice into servings and enjoy.
Notes
- Perfect for using leftover cooked meats or your favorite pizza toppings.
- For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Use a baguette instead of a loaf for mini, party-style portions.
- Let the bread cool slightly before slicing to avoid cheese sliding off.
