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Garbage Bread

Garbage Bread

  • Author: Lina
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Garbage Bread is a quick and easy savory dish featuring a crusty Italian bread loaf stuffed with layers of gooey mozzarella cheese, savory meats, fresh vegetables, and flavorful tomato sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a melty, satisfying comfort food experience that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for last-minute dinners or snacks. Highly customizable and delicious both fresh and reheated, it combines a crispy crust with a warm, cheesy, and saucy filling.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 sturdy Italian bread loaf (crusty exterior)

Cheese

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Meats

  • About 1 cup cooked meats (pepperoni, cooked sausage, or diced ham)

Sauces

  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce

Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

Seasonings & Fats

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil blend)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil (for brushing bread crust)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the Italian bread loaf lengthwise to create a top and bottom half. Shred the mozzarella cheese, chop vegetables, and prepare cooked meats for layering.
  2. Layer the Base: Spread a generous layer of tomato or pizza sauce evenly over the bottom half of the bread. This adds moisture and infuses great flavor.
  3. Add Fillings: Layer shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then evenly distribute your cooked meats and chopped vegetables. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over all the fillings for an herby flavor boost.
  4. Top and Seal: Place the top half of the bread over the stuffed bottom slice. Press down gently to help the layers stick together without squeezing fillings out.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Brush the top crust with melted butter or olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy finish. Optionally, sprinkle extra cheese or Italian seasoning on top.
  6. Bake It Up: Wrap the assembled bread loosely in foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the crust is crispy and golden.
  7. Slice and Serve: Allow to cool for a few minutes once out of the oven, then slice into thick wedges. Serve warm and enjoy the gooey, melty goodness.

Notes

  • Use day-old or slightly stale bread to prevent sogginess and hold fillings better.
  • Don’t overload fillings to ensure easy slicing and avoid sogginess.
  • Wrap loosely in foil to prevent the crust from burning while allowing cheese to melt perfectly.
  • Customize seasonings as desired with garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs.
  • Best served immediately while warm and gooey.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 wedge (about 1/8 of the loaf)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Garbage Bread, Stuffed Bread, Italian Bread Recipe, Easy Comfort Food, Savory Snack, Melty Cheese Bread

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Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/garbage-bread/