Table of Contents
- Why this recipe works.
- Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Here’s how to make this recipe.
- These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
- You'll love these other pizza recipes.
- Watch how to make this recipe.
- Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
- Sausage French Bread Pizza Recipe
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Made with a loaf of easy French bread, this recipe is the perfect at-home dinner to bake in a pinch. The great thing about French bread pizza is that it can be easily customized to whatever you and your family prefer. So bake or buy a loaf of bread, prepare the sauce, and sprinkle on whatever you love to eat, and you have a meal in minutes!
Why this recipe works.
French bread pizza is a back-pocket recipe. Meaning, this recipe should be in the back of our minds for those nights we want a meal that will make everyone happy when we don’t have a lot of time. French bread is in every grocery store, but for those that want to create a fully homemade meal, this french bread recipe can be made ahead and kept in the freezer for this pizza. French bread has a soft interior. To ensure the bread does not soak in too much sauce, the first step is to toast the bread slightly. Next, cheese is melted directly on the bread for another layer of protection. Last, a quick sausage sauce is spread over the halved bread and topped with more cheese. Nothing could be simpler. The result is a meal that will make everyone happy.
Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- French bread for this recipe can either be homemade or purchased at the store. French bread is perfect because of its shape and size. It has the natural capacity to have a large surface area upon which toppings can be piled.
- Italian seasoning is a blend of traditional Italian herbs. The blend is a time saver and instantly adds the pizza flavors.
- Sausage adds another layer of flavor. The type is a personal preference from spicy sausage to sweet.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese will melt better than the pre-shredded types. Fresh cheese has more flavor but can be difficult to shred. Allow the cheese to freeze for a few minutes before shredding for more ease.
Here’s how to make this recipe.
- Prepare the French bread. Slice a loaf of French bread in half lengthwise and place each half on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and salt. Place the bread in the preheated 375°F oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly golden and slightly crispy.
- Prepare the sausage sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and salt. Let the vegetables sauté for about 4 to 6 minutes to release some of their liquid. Once the onion and pepper have cooked, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Mix the garlic to allow it to cook for about 30 seconds, then add in the sausage. Use a spoon to break the sausage into pieces and allow it to brown on all sides. Once browned, add the tomato sauce. Mix everything together and let the sauce simmer for about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Toast the cheese. Once the bread has come out of the oven, shred up the fresh mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle it over the top of each half of the French bread. Then shred fresh Parmesan cheese on top as well and place back in the 375°F oven and bake for 4 to 6 minutes.
- Bake the pizza. Once the bread comes out of the oven, add the sausage sauce on top of the melted cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and place in the preheated 375°F oven to bake for 8 to 12 minutes. Once baked, remove and serve after it has cooled for about 10 minutes.
These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- After cooking the sausage, if there is a lot of residual liquid (or oil) in the saucepan, make sure to pour it off before adding the tomato sauce. This extra liquid comes from varying fat levels and can make the sauce a bit too thin once finished.
- While pre-baking the French bread before and after adding the cheeses may seem like extra work, these steps ensure that the bread will hold up to the sausage sauce that’s spread on top. Without the steps of baking the crust before and after the cheese, the bread may end up soggy, with the sauce sinking into the interior of the bread.
- To shred the mozzarella cheese easily, place the block of cheese in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Once slightly frozen, the mozzarella will shred and will still bake at the same rate in the oven.
Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
No, any meat can be used, or no meat at all. Ground beef or pepperoni are great options in place of the sausage. For a vegetarian option, add more diced vegetables to the sauce.
Yes, this pizza is customizable to the chef’s personal preferences! Mushrooms, spicy peppers, or other types of cheese can be used for the perfect pizza.
Once baked, the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 7-10 days and enjoyed as lunches or leftover dinners.
Watch how to make this recipe.
More weeknight meal ideas
Creamy Sausage Pasta
Herb Crusted Baked Halibut
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Sausage French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
For the pizza
- 1 large loaf French bread sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
For the sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ medium onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
Instructions
For the pizza
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Place the two halves of French bread cut side up on a parchment-lined baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and Italian seasoning. Place the bread in the preheated oven and until it is toasted, 6-8 minutes. Once toasted, remove the bread from the oven.1 large loaf French bread, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on the two halves of the bread. Return the bread to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 4-6 minutes. Once the cheese is melted, remove the bread from the oven.8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, ½ cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
- Spread half of the prepared sauce (recipe below) on each half of the bread. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese.8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, ½ cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
- Place the pizzas in the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown, 8-12 minutes. Once the pizzas are baked, remove them from the oven and cool them for 10 minutes. Slice the pizzas into pieces and serve.
For the sauce
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the onion and bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt and sauté until the onion is softened and translucent, 4-6 minutes. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning to the onion and peppers and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the sausage and break it into small pieces until it is browned, 6-8 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer on low to combine the flavors, 4-6 minutes.1 tbsp unsalted butter, ½ medium onion, 1 red bell pepper, ¼ tsp kosher salt, 2 cloves garlic, 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning, 1 lb Italian sausage, 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
Notes
- After cooking the sausage, if there is a lot of residual liquid (or oil) in the saucepan, make sure to pour it off before adding the tomato sauce. This extra liquid comes from varying fat levels and can make the sauce a bit too thin once finished.
- While pre-baking the French bread before and after adding the cheeses may seem like extra work, these steps ensure that the bread will hold up to the sausage sauce that’s spread on top. Without the steps of baking the crust before and after the cheese, the bread may end up soggy, with the sauce sinking into the interior of the bread.
- To shred the mozzarella cheese easily, place the block of cheese in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Once slightly frozen, the mozzarella will shred and will still bake at the same rate in the oven.
So good!! Followed the recipe precisely and it was a huge hit. Wouldn’t change a thing. Very filling and enjoyed by the whole family. Thanks for another great recipe, Caleb!
This recipe was fantastic. Followed all directions it was easy to make and was delicious. Huge hit with the family. Would definitely make this again! If I could give more stars I would.
This has become one of my go to recipes. Everyone I’ve served it to has asked for the recipe. I’ve made it with fresh as well as pre-grated mozzarella and it turns out great either way. No more pizza deliveries for my family. This is so easy and delicious.