Description
A hearty, pull‑apart loaf packed with cheese, pepperoni, veggies and a zesty garlic‑tomato sauce—perfect party or game‑day fare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 large Italian bread loaf (about 16 oz)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup pizza or pasta sauce
- 3 Tbsp butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Slice bread loaf crosswise every 1 inch, stopping ¼ inch from bottom so slices stay attached.
- Mix mozzarella, pepperoni, peppers, onion, mushrooms in a bowl.
- Stuff mixture into bread cuts, spreading evenly.
- Warm sauce slightly and spoon it between slices and over top.
- Combine melted butter and garlic; brush over top and between bread.
- Wrap loaf in foil and bake 15 minutes.
- Unwrap and bake another 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is golden.
- Sprinkle parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to swap meats/veggies—use sausage, olives, spinach, etc.
- Make ahead: assemble, wrap and refrigerate up to 12 h before baking.
- Serve with extra marinara for dipping.
- To lighten, use part‑skim cheese and whole‑grain bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 loaf
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg