If you love a dish that’s unapologetically hearty and versatile, Garbage Bread is going to be your new favorite kitchen adventure. Imagine a golden, cheesy loaf stuffed to the brim with savory beef, sausage, colorful peppers, onions, and a gooey cheese medley—all wrapped in soft pizza dough and baked to perfection. Garbage Bread isn’t just a meal; it’s a delicious, crowd-pleasing celebration of everything that’s right about comfort food. Perfect for parties, cozy weekends, or using up those odds and ends in the fridge!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is the beauty of Garbage Bread—the ingredients are straightforward, but every single one plays an important role in flavor and texture. Think gooey cheese, rich meat, zesty seasoning, and pillowy dough coming together to create absolute magic.
- Pizza dough (1 pound): Store-bought or homemade, this is your bready blank canvas—stretch it thin for crispness, or leave it thicker for extra chew.
- Ground beef (1/2 pound): Provides a hearty, juicy base that soaks up all those great seasonings.
- Italian sausage (1/2 pound): Adds a little spicy zing and a world of flavor complexity to the filling.
- Chopped onion (1/2 cup): Sweetens as it cooks, adding depth and balance.
- Chopped bell pepper (1/2 cup): Brings a pop of color and a subtle crunch to each bite.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Melts beautifully and makes every slice marvelously stringy and cheesy.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup): Offers bold flavor and that irresistible melty orange glow.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup): Sprinkle this in for a nutty, salty punch that finishes the filling.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Delivers a little extra savory depth—don’t skip it!
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Lends herbal brightness and classic pizza-shop aroma.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Fine-tune the savoriness to your liking.
- Olive oil for brushing (1 tablespoon): Gives the crust a gorgeous golden color and a bit of a crisp bite.
How to Make Garbage Bread
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring it’s good and hot for beautifully browned bread. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this not only prevents sticking but also makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cook the Filling
In a large skillet set over medium heat, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and bell pepper. Cook everything together, breaking up the meat with your spatula, until the sausage and beef are cooked through and the vegetables are nice and tender. Drain off any excess grease so your Garbage Bread isn’t soggy. Season the mix generously with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then set aside to cool just slightly.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll your pizza dough into a large rectangle—think roughly 10 by 16 inches. Don’t worry if the edges aren’t perfect; rustic is the name of the game here. This is the critical foundation that will hold all your fillings.
Step 4: Layer the Fillings
Spread the slightly cooled meat and veggie mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving about a 1-inch border along the edges. Sprinkle on the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses in an even layer. This triple-cheese combo makes for wonderfully gooey slices that pull apart with strings of melty cheese.
Step 5: Roll and Seal
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll, keeping the filling inside as best you can. Once you’ve made a neat log, gently pinch the seam and ends to seal everything in. Place the roll seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet for the best shape while baking.
Step 6: Brush and Bake
Brush the outside of the rolled dough with olive oil—this gives the bread a shiny, golden finish and a delicate crunch. Slide your Garbage Bread into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it’s gorgeously golden and cooked through. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!
Step 7: Cool, Slice, and Serve
Once baked, let the bread rest for a few minutes before slicing—this helps the cheese set a little so you get tidy, mouthwatering slices. Serve warm and, if you like, with a bowl of marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
How to Serve Garbage Bread
Garnishes
To elevate your presentation, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over the warm slices. A dusting of extra Parmesan or a swirl of chili flakes can also give your Garbage Bread an extra hit of flavor and color.
Side Dishes
Garbage Bread pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette, balancing the richness of the cheesy filling. If you want to go all-in on the comfort theme, serve it alongside potato wedges or roasted veggies for a complete, satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the Garbage Bread into thick rounds for a rustic appetizer platter, or cut into thinner strips for party snacks and dipping. Want to get fancy? Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped ricotta or a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Garbage Bread (lucky you!), simply wrap the cooled slices in plastic wrap or foil and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to three days, making for fabulous next-day lunches.
Freezing
Garbage Bread freezes like a dream! Once fully cooled, wrap the loaf (or individual slices) tightly in foil and then place in a freezer-safe bag. Label and stash in the freezer for up to two months—perfect for quick dinners or midnight cravings.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your slices into a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and melty again. If you’re in a rush, the microwave will do, but you won’t get that perfectly crisp crust.
FAQs
Can I use different meats or veggies?
Absolutely! Garbage Bread is a fantastic way to use up leftover meats like ham, chicken, or pepperoni, as well as any veggies you have hanging out in the fridge—just make sure everything is cooked and not too watery to avoid a soggy bread.
Can I make Garbage Bread ahead of time?
You can assemble Garbage Bread (stuff, roll, and seal) up to a day ahead of baking. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake—it may need a few extra minutes in the oven if it’s going in cold.
What dipping sauces go well with Garbage Bread?
Marinara sauce is a classic, but feel free to get creative! Ranch, garlic butter, or a spicy chipotle aioli all make excellent choices for dipping those cheesy, savory slices.
Can I use gluten-free dough?
Yes! Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pizza dough and follow the same instructions. Just remember that some gluten-free doughs can be a little sticker or less elastic, so handle with care while rolling up.
Why is it called “Garbage Bread”?
The name comes from its anything-goes approach—it’s meant to use up the bits and ends (“garbage”) from your fridge, making it practical, thrifty, and exceptionally delicious. Despite the name, this bread is pure gold at the table!
Final Thoughts
Garbage Bread is the kind of comforting, crowd-pleasing recipe you’ll turn to again and again—whether you’re feeding hungry friends, prepping a party snack, or cleaning out the fridge in the most delicious way possible. Give it a go and see just how much fun (and flavor) you can roll up in one loaf!
Print
Garbage Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Garbage Bread is a delicious and versatile stuffed bread roll that’s perfect for using up leftovers or creating a fun, flavorful meal. This recipe features a savory filling of ground beef, Italian sausage, cheeses, and seasonings rolled up in pizza dough and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Filling:
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Filling: In a skillet, cook ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and bell pepper until browned. Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Bread: Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the meat mixture and cheeses over the dough. Roll up the dough tightly and seal the seams.
- Bake: Place the rolled bread on the baking sheet, seam-side down. Brush with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm with marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
- Customize with other fillings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Great for using up leftover meats and veggies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
