Texas Toast Pizza starts with garlic-infused Texas toast and is piled high with saucy ground beef, melty mozzarella, and miniature pepperoni. A family-favorite, simple meal!
author’s note
The Easiest Pizza Hack You’ll Ever Try!
My college roommate introduced me to Texas toast back in my sophomore year, and I may or may not have immediately called my mom to ask why we never had it growing up. I was hooked from the first bite. Garlic flavor or nothing!
So today’s recipe is a little throwback to those college days, but with a fun twist: Texas Toast Pizza. It doesn’t get much easier than this. And hey, making this now might just save you from getting a call from your kids one day asking why you kept this magic from them for so long.
Ingredients In Texas Toast Pizza
| Ingredient | Quick Tips / Swaps |
|---|---|
| Garlic Texas Toast | Sub plain Texas toast brushed with butter + garlic; par-bake for crunch. |
| Lean Ground Beef | Swap turkey, chicken, or plant crumbles; drain fat. |
| Pizza Sauce | Any thick marinara works; or perk up tomato sauce with oil, sugar, oregano. |
| Shredded Mozzarella | Part-skim to lighten; mix in provolone or cheddar; grate fresh for best melt. |
| Mini Pepperoni | Optional—use chopped pepperoni, cooked sausage, or sautéed veggies. |
| Olive Oil | Butter or avocado oil work; skip if beef isn’t very lean. |
| Italian Seasoning | Equal parts dried oregano + basil; add chili flakes for heat. |
Texas Toast Pizza Tips
- Freshest beef: Pick the package with the farthest sell-by date.
- Pan scorching hot: Heat cast iron until it smokes slightly, then add meat so it browns, not steams.
- Let it sear: Give beef a couple minutes untouched to crust before breaking it up; early stirring keeps it gray.
- Serve right away: Texas Toast Pizzas soften fast—call everyone over before they leave the oven.
These Texas Toast Pizzas come together so quickly so we don’t want to spend a whole bunch of time on sides. But if you like, here are a few suggestions.
Texas Toast Pizza Serving Suggestions
- Easy veggie sides: Roast Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, or Mixed Veggies—same temp as the pizzas. Or use the air fryer for speed.
- Quick salads: Try Olive Garden, Panzanella, Greek, or Quinoa Salad—or grab a pre-made kit like Caesar.
- Fresh fruit: Watermelon, cantaloupe, or grapes make fast, no-cook sides.
Variations
Texas Toast Pizza variations
- Not sure about Texas toast? I’ve made this recipe on toasted brioche buns and also loved it that way!
- Leave off the mini pepperoni or replace it with other pizza toppings that will pair with the beef mixture — think cooked sausage, peppers, mushrooms, olives, and/or onions
- Try a different cheese or a blend of different cheeses
More Pizza Recipes:
Texas Toast Pizza
Texas Toast Pizza combines garlicky Texas toast with saucy ground beef, melty mozzarella, and mini pepperoni for a quick, family-favorite meal!
Equipment
- Large sheet pan (15″ x 21″)
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 (11.25-ounce) package frozen garlic Texas toast 8 slices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
- 1 (13-ounce) jar Rao’s® pizza sauce see note 1
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Miniature pepperoni optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a large sheet pan with cooking spray and place Texas Toast on the pan, giving each piece plenty of room. Bake for 5 minutes.
- While oven is preheating, prepare the meat sauce. Add olive oil to a large pan and heat over medium-high. Once hot, add in onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until becoming golden, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add beef and cook, breaking up and crumbling as you go, until browned through. Season to taste. (I add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.) Add pizza sauce and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring constantly, until warmed through. Taste and adjust for seasoning, adding more salt/pepper if needed. Remove from heat.
- Divide meat sauce evenly among each piece of bread. Sprinkle cheese on top, about 2 tablespoons of cheese per pizza. If desired, add mini pepperoni on top. Bake 5–10 minutes or until cheese is nicely melted on top. Remove and enjoy immediately!
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: I highly recommend Rao’s® pizza sauce, which makes all the difference for this recipe! This sauce has a deep, intense flavor, tastes homemade, and is thick and hearty. We also greatly cut down on ingredients because this pizza sauce has so many additions included (whole peeled tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, onions, carrots, oregano, garlic, fresh basil, etc.).
Nutrition Note: Nutrition information does not include pepperoni or other optional toppings.
Storage: Store leftover Texas Toast Pizza in a gallon-sized bag or airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 846kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 1239mg | Potassium: 569mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 802IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 621mg | Iron: 15mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
As your sister these are so easy and fun! These are my daughters favorite meal!