Easy Meat Lovers Pizza Bread
This Easy Meat Lovers Pizza Bread is your new go-to comfort food! Taking classic pizza flavors and tucking them into a delicious bread loaf, it's incredibly fast, simple to make, and perfect for busy weeknights. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike will devour, whether served as a main dish, snack, or party food.
Equipment
- Large Nonstick Skillet
- Shallow Rimmed Baking Sheet
- Knife or Pizza Cutter
- Spatula
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano divided
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 jar pizza sauce divided
- 1 roll refrigerated pizza dough 13.8 ounces
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni about 1/3 cup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is browned and cooked through. Carefully drain off excess grease.
- Step 2: Let the cooked beef cool slightly. Stir in about 1/3 cup of the pizza sauce.
- Step 3: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a shallow rimmed baking sheet. Spread about 1/2 cup of pizza sauce down the center third of the dough.
- Step 4: Layer the provolone slices over the sauce, then sprinkle on the pepperoni, spoon on the ground beef mixture, and top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Step 5: Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut 1-inch wide strips from the edge of the dough towards the filling on both sides, leaving the center section uncut. Working from one end, take a strip from one side and fold it over the filling diagonally. Take a strip from the other side and do the same, overlapping. Continue alternating sides to create a braided effect. Pinch the ends shut to seal.
- Step 6: Brush the melted butter all over the top and sides of the assembled pizza bread. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of oregano over the buttered dough.
- Step 7: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until the dough is golden brown all over and looks cooked through (check the bottom with a spatula).
- Step 8: While the pizza bread bakes or cools slightly, warm up the rest of the pizza sauce. Serve slices of the warm pizza bread with the heated sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to swap ground beef with cooked Italian sausage, bacon, or ham. Try sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Italian cheese blends. Sauté and drain watery veggies like mushrooms or onions before adding them to the filling. Add red pepper flakes for spice. Ensure you don't overfill the dough, drain the beef well, and pinch the ends tightly before baking. You can cook the ground beef mixture ahead of time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze wrapped tightly for 2-3 months. Reheat in the oven (350°F / 175°C) for best results, or use the microwave.