Sometimes, you just want a meal that’s hearty, cheesy, and full of all your favorite flavors. That’s where Garbage Bread comes in—think of it as a delicious, stuffed pizza meets a warm, comforting calzone. It’s like a savory treasure chest of pizza dough wrapped around a mouthwatering mix of meats, cheeses, and veggies. And the best part? You get to customize it with whatever you love, making it the ultimate flexible meal. Whether you’re cleaning out the fridge or just craving something indulgent, this bread is going to make you feel like a kitchen genius. It’s the kind of dish that’ll have everyone gathering around, eagerly waiting for their slice, and trust me—you’ll want to dive in right away!
Why You’ll Love Garbage Bread
Here’s why Garbage Bread is an instant favorite:
- Totally Customizable: This bread is the ultimate “use what you’ve got” dish. Have leftover meats, veggies, or cheeses? Throw them in! It’s a great way to use up ingredients while creating something mouthwatering.
- Cheesy, Savory Perfection: Layers of cheese melt inside the dough, creating a gooey, savory treat that’s impossible to resist.
- Simple and Quick: Despite looking impressive, this bread is surprisingly easy to make. It’s perfect for beginners or those who want a satisfying meal without much fuss.
- Family-Friendly: Whether you’re cooking for kids or adults, this bread is always a hit. Everyone loves digging into a warm, cheesy, stuffed bread, and it’s fun to share.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: This is the kind of dish that brings warmth and satisfaction. It’s cozy, cheesy, and the perfect meal for a chilly night in or a casual get-together.
Ingredients
For this Garbage Bread, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. The great thing about this recipe is that you can mix and match what you have on hand!
- Pizza Dough: This is your base, and it’s where all the magic happens. Store-bought dough works perfectly, or you can make your own if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Cooked Meats: Use whatever you have—pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, or leftover chicken are all great options.
- Cheese: A combination of mozzarella and cheddar is classic, but feel free to get creative! Parmesan, provolone, or even some cream cheese can add a fun twist.
- Veggies: If you want to add some veggies (like peppers, onions, or mushrooms), go for it! They add extra flavor and texture.
- Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning: For extra flavor and that classic pizza taste.
- Olive Oil: To brush on the dough and give it a golden, crispy finish.
- Marinara Sauce: For dipping, of course! You could also use ranch dressing, garlic butter, or your favorite sauce.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Here’s how to make your Garbage Bread:
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature to ensure that the bread bakes up golden and crispy.
2. Prepare Your Ingredients
Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. You want to roll it into a rectangle or square shape, about 1/4-inch thick. While you’re at it, chop up any meats or veggies you’re using so everything is ready to go.
3. Layer the Ingredients
Start layering your cheese, meats, and any veggies you’re using in the center of the dough. Be sure not to overfill it—leave some space around the edges so you can seal the dough properly. Sprinkle some garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the top to add that pizza flavor.
4. Roll Up the Dough
Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling and start rolling it up like a big jelly roll or burrito. Pinch the ends to seal it, making sure none of the filling escapes.
5. Bake the Garbage Bread
Place your rolled-up bread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Brush the top with a little olive oil to help it turn golden and crispy while baking. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy on top.
6. Slice and Serve
Once it’s done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Slice it up into hearty pieces and serve with your favorite dipping sauce—whether that’s marinara, ranch, or even a creamy garlic butter.
7. Enjoy!
Dig in and savor that cheesy, savory goodness. Whether it’s a casual dinner or part of a fun appetizer spread, this Garbage Bread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
How to Serve Garbage Bread
This dish is so versatile and can be served in so many ways. Here are a few suggestions to round out your meal:
- With a Salad: Pair it with a fresh green salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette for a nice balance of flavors.
- As an Appetizer: Slice it into smaller pieces and serve it as an appetizer at your next party. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- With Soup: Garbage bread pairs beautifully with a hot bowl of tomato soup or any creamy soup. Perfect for dipping!
Additional Tips
- Get Creative with Fillings: The best part of Garbage Bread is that you can stuff it with whatever you like. Try adding some sautéed spinach, roasted peppers, or even some olives for an extra punch of flavor.
- Make it Vegetarian: Skip the meats and load up on veggies like spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted tomatoes. Add some ricotta or goat cheese for a creamy texture.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the bread ahead of time, assemble it, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before baking.
- Freezing: This bread freezes well. If you want to make extra, bake it as directed, let it cool, and freeze it in an airtight container. To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use store-bought dough?
A1: Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough is perfect for this recipe. It’s quick, easy, and saves you time.
Q2: What if I don’t have marinara sauce for dipping?
A2: No worries! You can use any sauce you like—ranch, garlic butter, or even a tangy barbecue sauce works great.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to keep the bread crispy.
Q4: Can I make this ahead of time?
A4: Yes! You can assemble the bread a day or two ahead of time, wrap it tightly, and store it in the fridge. Bake it when you’re ready to serve!
Q5: Can I freeze this?
A5: Yes! After baking, let the bread cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven when ready to enjoy.
Conclusion
Garbage Bread is the ultimate comfort food that brings together the best parts of pizza and calzones into one gooey, cheesy, customizable dish. Perfect for busy nights, family dinners, or even a casual get-together, this bread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The beauty of this dish is that you can fill it with whatever you have on hand, making it an easy, delicious, and satisfying meal for any occasion. So grab some dough, get creative with your fillings, and enjoy every delicious bite!
PrintGarbage Bread
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Garbage Bread is a fun and savory stuffed bread recipe, filled with a mix of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. It’s an easy-to-make, delicious comfort food that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or a snack! With a crispy, golden crust on the outside and a melty, flavorful filling on the inside, this dish is a great way to clean out your fridge and get creative with leftovers. A crowd-pleasing recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pizza dough (or homemade dough if preferred)
- 1/2 cup cooked sausage, crumbled (or any meat of choice, like pepperoni, ham, or bacon)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle shape, about 12×8 inches in size.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked sausage (or other meat), diced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, onions, and both shredded cheeses. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and stir until well combined.
- Assemble the bread: Evenly spread the filling mixture down the center of the dough, leaving about 1 inch on each side.
- Roll up the dough: Carefully fold in the edges of the dough and roll it up like a log, enclosing the filling completely. Pinch the seams to seal and tuck the ends under.
- Prepare the egg wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush it over the top of the dough to give it a golden, shiny finish when baked. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese, if using.
- Bake: Place the rolled-up dough onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and slice: Allow the Garbage Bread to cool for a few minutes before slicing into thick pieces. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can fill this bread with virtually any leftover meats, veggies, or cheeses you have. It’s a great recipe to customize with whatever you have in your fridge!
- For a spicy kick, try adding some jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
- If you don’t have pizza dough, you can use any other type of dough, such as crescent roll dough or even a baguette-style dough.
- Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 6 slices)
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg