5 from 27 votes
French Bread Pizza
French Bread Pizza uses halved French bread layered with garlic butter, Parmesan, crushed tomatoes, mozzarella, and pepperoni, then baked to melt the cheese and lightly brown the crust. The technique toasts the bread first with a butter and garlic mixture, creating a flavorful foundation before adding toppings. This method results in a crisp yet tender base topped with savory tomato sauce, creamy melted cheese, and spicy pepperoni, offering a satisfying casual meal.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
634 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 6 tablespoons butter , softened at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt , divided
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese , grated and divided
- 8 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
- 10 ounces mozzarella cheese grated, low-moisture
- 4 ounces pepperoni sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it on the middle rack and preheat it for 15 minutes.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Mix the butter, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Spread the butter mixture on the cut sides of the bread then sprinkle with ⅛ cup of Parmesan cheese. Move the bread to a baking sheet or place it on the pizza stone, and bake for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Mix the crushed tomatoes with the remaining olive oil and kosher salt. Remove the French bread halves from the oven. Spread each half with the crushed tomato sauce then top with heaping amounts of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Add the pepperoni slices or your favorite toppings. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and transfer to the oven on a baking sheet or on the pizza stone. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown and the pepperoni cups curl. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve with more grated Parmesan, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The garlic butter spread is adapted from Serious Eats’ method for a rich, flavorful crust.
- Using low-moisture mozzarella aids in achieving a nicely melted and slightly browned cheese topping without excess moisture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
634kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
43g
(66%)
Saturated Fat
19g
(95%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
17g
(85%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
89mg
(30%)
Sodium
1591mg
(66%)
Potassium
300mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
783IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
344mg
(34%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 634
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 634kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 43g | 66% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 1591mg | 66% |
| Potassium | 300mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 783IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 344mg | 34% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.