Simple French Bread Pizza—Margherita style!
French Bread Pizza
Growing up, one of the most often made meals in our home was French bread pizza. We had it at least every other week, and everyone in the family loved it. Which with 7 kids in the house was a rare consensus!
She usually topped the French bread with taco meat (ground beef cooked with taco seasonings), cheddar cheese, and then baked. Next we’d load up the toppings—lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Last month my sister and I were talking about meals my mom made growing up, and we both realized it had been YEARS since we’d had French bread pizza. A sad fact we decided needed to be rectified immediately! After some experimentation, we created an even simpler version. And my entire family LOVES it:)
How To Make French Bread Pizza
Simply put, these pizzas makes life easier! No need to worry about making a homemade dough, waiting for it to rise, and then rolling it out. Instead, the French bread “crust” is already baked and ready for toppings.
French bread pizzas are supposed to be easy, and this is no exception! The ingredients are minimal and the method is simple. The simplicity of the recipe also leaves you with plenty of time to prepare a side dish or salad for this dish! (I love this salad on the side.)
The one thing I do while making this pizza, that might surprise you a bit, is baking it twice. There’s nothing I hate more than soggy bread (when it’s not supposed to be soggy), and I found the solution to soggy French bread pizza thanks to Serious Eats. Bake the bread right after you infuse it with butter, olive oil, herbs, and garlic. This gives the bread lots of flavor. Then, add the toppings (tomato sauce, cheeses, and tomato) and bake it one more time. This simple step completely transforms the texture and overall flavor of the pizza!
Finally, finish it off with some fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and freshly cracked pepper and you’re ready for dinner!
More Easy Dinner Recipes:
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Caprese Salad (served alongside this Grilled Chicken)
- Steak Marinade (served with these Roasted Vegetables)
Margherita French Bread Pizza
Equipment
- Sheet pan (15" x 10")
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil divided
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves divided
- 1 large loaf French bread about 18 inches long and 4 inches wide, split half lengthwise and crosswise
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed peeled tomatoes
- 8 ounces Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Add the butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted, then add in the oregano, parsley, and minced garlic. Stir occasionally until garlic is softened (not browned), about 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in a generous pinch of salt and 1/4 cup finely chopped basil leaves. Slice the French bread in even halves and press the bread down evenly to compress it to 2/3 the original height. Flip over the bread so the cut side is facing up and place on a parchment or foil lined sheet pan.
- Brush half the garlic herb butter evenly over both surfaces of bread. Place in the oven for 5 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Meanwhile, return the remaining garlic herb butter to the stovetop and add in the tomatoes. Stir and increase heat to medium, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a slow simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spread sauce evenly over the two bread halves, then spread mozzarella on top. Add the thinly sliced roma tomatoes evenly to both halves. Bake for another 8–12 minutes or until cheese is melted and the bread is lightly browned at the edges.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the tomatoes. Add fresh basil (rip or add full leaves), some pepper, and drizzle the last tablespoon of olive oil over everything. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a fantastic recipe! You will not be disappointed. The best pizza bread I’ve ever had .
Awe! Thank you!!
Speaking of recipes growing up…my mom used to make pizza burgers with ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese broiled on top of english muffins. haven’t had those in years!