Pizza Lunch Loaf Recipe
A Pizza Lunch Loaf is a fun, hearty twist on traditional pizza! It’s made by stuffing a loaf of bread or pizza dough with your favorite pizza toppings, then baking it to golden perfection. Perfect for lunch, parties, or game day, this recipe is customizable with endless topping combinations.
Ingredients (Serves 4-6):
For the Dough:
- 1 pound (16 oz) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (or your preferred meat like sausage, ham, or cooked chicken)
- 1/3 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1/3 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
For Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Roll out the dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle, about 12×8 inches.
3. Add the filling:
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the pepperoni, bell peppers, olives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes on top for extra flavor.
4. Roll the dough into a loaf:
- Starting at one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam and ends to seal the loaf completely.
- Place the loaf seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Brush and bake:
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush the butter mixture over the top of the loaf.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
6. Cool and slice:
- Let the pizza loaf cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing into 1-inch thick pieces. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Tips:
- Dough options: You can substitute pizza dough with refrigerated crescent roll dough or use a pre-made French bread loaf for a shortcut.
- Cheese: Mix in other cheeses like provolone or cheddar for a different flavor.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the meat and load up on veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or artichoke hearts.
- Make ahead: Assemble the loaf ahead of time, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge. Bake it fresh when ready to serve.
- Reheating: Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to crisp up the crust.
Variations:
- Hawaiian Pizza Loaf:
- Use ham, pineapple chunks, and mozzarella for a sweet and savory twist.
2. Meat Lovers Loaf:
- Add cooked sausage, bacon crumbles, and pepperoni for a hearty option.
3. BBQ Chicken Pizza Loaf:
- Swap the pizza sauce for BBQ sauce, and fill with shredded cooked chicken, red onions, and cheddar cheese.
4. Veggie Supreme Loaf:
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, red onions, and olives for a veggie-packed version.
This Pizza Lunch Loaf is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make, fun to customize, and perfect for any occasion. It’s everything you love about pizza, wrapped up in a portable, sliceable loaf! 🍕🍞✨
