Description
Savory Oven-Baked Italian Garbage Bread is a delicious and hearty stuffed bread roll loaded with classic Italian flavors including marinara sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, bell peppers, and olives, all baked to golden perfection. This versatile dish is a crowd-pleaser perfect for appetizers, snacks, or a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf of Italian bread dough (store-bought or homemade)
Filling
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Finishing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the Italian bread dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick to create a base for the filling.
- Spread marinara sauce: Evenly spread the marinara sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges to allow for sealing later.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara sauce to add rich, melty texture.
- Distribute toppings: Spread the pepperoni slices, black olives, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper evenly over the cheese for a colorful and flavorful mix.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese: Add grated Parmesan cheese on top to boost the savory depth and create a crispy crust when baked.
- Prepare seasoning oil: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper and mix well.
- Brush dough edges: Brush the seasoned olive oil mixture over the exposed dough edges to enhance flavor and promote browning.
- Roll the dough: Starting from one long side, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, making sure to seal the edges to lock in the filling.
- Place on baking sheet: Position the rolled bread seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to keep it sealed during baking.
- Score the top: Using a sharp knife, make shallow diagonal cuts across the top of the bread to allow steam to escape as it bakes.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and thoroughly cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the bread cool slightly before slicing to preserve its shape and make serving easier.
Notes
- Make sure not to overfill the dough to avoid leakage during baking.
- The red pepper flakes can be omitted or adjusted according to your heat preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni and add mushrooms or additional vegetables.
- Use a sharp knife when scoring the bread to avoid tearing the dough.
- The bread is best served warm but can be reheated in the oven wrapped in foil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian bread, garbage bread, baked stuffed bread, pepperoni bread, mozzarella, marinara sauce, savory bread, party appetizer
