This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Imagine transforming a simple loaf of French bread into a delightful, cheesy pizza in minutes. That’s the magic of French Bread Pizza! It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when you want something delicious without too much fuss. Using French bread as the base, this recipe offers a crispy, satisfying crust with all the gooey cheese and flavorful toppings you love in a pizza. Ideal for a quick dinner, a fun snack, or even a casual get-together, this dish combines ease and taste in a way that everyone can appreciate.
For a delightful meal, pair your French Bread Pizza with a crisp Caesar Salad, enjoy it alongside a warm bowl of Tomato Soup, dip it in creamy Ranch Dressing, and follow it up with a sweet, fruity Ambrosia for dessert.
Why You’ll Love This French Bread Pizza Recipe
- Quick to Make: In a time crunch? This recipe has you covered. It’s simple and fast, perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Easily Customizable: Whether you’re a pepperoni fan or a veggie lover, this pizza recipe adapts to your preferences effortlessly.
- Cost-Effective: Using basic, affordable ingredients, this pizza won’t break the bank.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead, freeze, and bake whenever the craving strikes!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s dinner for one or a snack for the kids, it suits all situations.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this French Bread Pizza recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Bread: For this pizza, either French or Italian bread is ideal. Don’t worry about the loaf’s size or thickness; both thin and thick bread work well. The most important factor is the bread’s softness. If the bread is too hard, it’s better used for making croutons or breadcrumbs. Can’t find French or Italian bread? A baguette or sturdy sandwich bread are good substitutes. Also, you might like to consider using a portion from our small loaf French Bread recipe. Leftover bread? It’s perfect in recipes like French Onion Soup or a Breakfast Casserole.
- Sauce: Tomato sauce is the base of our pizza’s flavor. You can use a jarred variety, homemade tomato sauce, Pomodoro sauce, or classic pizza sauce. Each type brings its own unique flavor to the dish. In a pinch, a mix of tomato paste and Italian seasoning diluted with a bit of water can work as a makeshift pizza sauce.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the star here, providing that classic pizza stretch and flavor. For the best melt, I recommend shredding your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which often contain preservatives that inhibit melting. Leftover mozzarella can be used in Sheet Pan Lasagna or Caprese Pasta. If mozzarella isn’t available, try cheddar for a different flavor profile, or a vegan cheese alternative if you’re avoiding dairy.
- Pepperoni: Pepperoni adds a spicy, savory element to the pizza. Lay it on generously for that delicious meaty taste. Consider using extra pepperoni in a mini Muffuletta or a Crustless Pizza Quiche. If pepperoni isn’t your thing, feel free to swap it with other meats like ham or sausage, or even plant-based toppings for a vegetarian twist.
Recipe Variations
French Bread Pizza offers endless possibilities for customization. Here are some exciting variations to try:
- Veggie Lovers’ Special: Top your French bread pizza with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a fresh and colorful veggie-packed pizza. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a crunchy, flavorful dimension.
- Meat Extravaganza: For a protein-rich pizza, add sausage, bacon, and ham to the pepperoni. This mix creates a savory, meaty taste that’s sure to satisfy.
- Hawaiian Pizza: Ham and pineapple make for a delightful sweet-savory combo. The tangy pineapple perfectly complements the salty ham.
- Spicy Buffalo Chicken: Spice things up with shredded buffalo chicken and blue cheese dressing. It’s a great choice for those who love a spicy, tangy flavor.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: Chicken with BBQ sauce, red onions, and a hint of cilantro create a unique, smoky-sweet pizza. The cilantro adds a fresh note.
How To Make A French Bread Pizza
These photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small French Bread Pizza. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the bread in half crosswise, then cut in half lengthwise so that you have 2 pieces. Evenly spread tomato sauce over each piece.
- Add Cheese: Layer each piece with generous amounts of mozzarella cheese for that perfect, melty topping.
- Place Pepperoni: Arrange slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese. This step adds a delicious, meaty flavor to your pizza.
- Bake to Perfection: Place your prepared pizzas in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. The goal is to melt the cheese beautifully and get a slightly crispy crust.
Expert Tips
- Multiplying: To make multiple French bread pizzas, simply repeat the recipe instructions for as many pizzas as desired.
- Customization: Personalize your pizza by adding toppings of your choice. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
- Eating Options: Enjoy your pizza in various ways: use a knife and fork for a neat experience, slice it in half and eat with your hands like traditional pizza, or cut it into strips for easy sharing or snacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing French bread pizza is a great way to have a quick and delicious meal ready anytime. Here are the steps to freeze your pizzas effectively:
Top the Pizzas: Assemble your pizzas with the desired toppings, pressing them gently to ensure they adhere well.
Initial Freeze: Place the topped, unbaked pizzas on a large baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour or until they are solid.
Storage: Once frozen, transfer the pizzas to freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer until needed.
Baking from Frozen: To bake, simply take a pizza out of the freezer and cook as per the recipe instructions. Remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time, as they will be frozen.
Wrap them up and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Just increase the ingredients proportionally.
Yes, Italian bread or a baguette can also work well.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried french bread pizza or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
French Bread Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (6-inch loaf) french bread
- 4 tablespoons tomato sauce (may also use Marinara sauce or pizza sauce)
- 4 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400° F (200° C).
- Cut the bread in half crosswise, then cut in half lengthwise so that you have 2 pieces. Evenly spread tomato sauce over each piece.
- Layer each piece with generous amounts of mozzarella cheese for that perfect, melty topping.
- Arrange slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.
- Place pizzas on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until cheese melts.
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Initial Freeze: Place the topped, unbaked pizzas on a large baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour or until they are solid.
Storage: Once frozen, transfer the pizzas to freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer until needed.
Baking from Frozen: To bake, simply take a pizza out of the freezer and cook as per the recipe instructions. Remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time, as they will be frozen.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
made it for dinner last night – on an Italian roll so easy and tasty – had left over sauce and used meatballs on one side and pepperoni on the other side – terrific dinner – thank you for the idea had a left-over roll and this was the perfect way to use it.
Why is it the whenever a recipe calls for using the paddle in mixer to knead dough no-one ever mentions the speed for the mixer? On TV, the camera never spans over that area of the mixer either. BTW, if anyone has a kitchenaid mixer, what’s the best speed?
This made a tasty lunch with hardly any ingredients…I used 2 hoagie rolls that were leftovers from making sub sandwiches…I used pizza sauce and sprinkled on some red pepper flakes for a touch of heat…I froze the extra for eating in the near future.
I’ve made these a couple times. Very quick, easy and delicious. This next shopping trip I need to think ahead a bit and get more bread. Since I’m going to make a couple up I might as well make some for the freezer for the late work nights. Thank you!