Bread Pizza Boats for Dinner Tonight! Recipe
Delicious and easy Bread Pizza Boats perfect for a quick dinner. Crispy French bread loaded with classic pizza toppings like mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, olives, and fresh vegetables, baked to bubbly golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Base
- 1 loaf French bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup cooked sausage crumbles
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup diced green bell peppers
- ¼ cup diced red onions
Garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out some of the soft interior from each half to create shallow boats that will hold the toppings without falling apart.
- Brush and Season: Brush the insides of the bread halves evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning to add a burst of herb flavor to your pizza base.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce inside each bread half. Then layer shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Top with pepperoni slices, cooked sausage crumbles, sliced black olives, diced green bell peppers, and diced red onions for a colorful, flavorful boat.
- Bake: Place the prepared bread boats on the lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned, and the edges of the bread turn golden and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bread pizza boats from the oven and allow them to cool slightly for easy slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then slice and serve warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings to your preference; vegetables like mushrooms or jalapeños work great.
- Use precooked sausage to save time, or substitute with other proteins like cooked chicken.
- The scooped-out bread interior can be saved for breadcrumbs or croutons.
- For a crispier crust, toast the bread lightly before adding toppings.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a lovely fresh aroma and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: bread pizza boats, easy pizza recipe, quick dinner, French bread pizza, homemade pizza boats, family dinner recipe
