Description
A delicious and gooey stuffed Italian bread filled with cheese, meats, and vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf sturdy Italian bread (crusty exterior)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked meats (pepperoni, cooked sausage, or diced ham)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced olives
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil blend)
- 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil (for brushing bread crust)
Instructions
- 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.
- Spread a generous layer of tomato or pizza sauce evenly over the bottom half of the bread. This adds moisture and infuses great flavor.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- For extra flavor, consider adding spices or herbs to the tomato sauce before spreading it on the bread.
- Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite vegetables or types of cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wedge
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg