Garlic Bread Pizza- 2 Ways!

Garlic bread pizza is crispy, buttery French bread loaded with tomato sauce, cheese, and an assortment of delicious pizza toppings. Try this recipe for French bread pizza recipe two ways; with pepperoni or Margherita style! It is a quick and easy meal that is ready in just 30 minutes.

For more homemade pizza recipes, try my Pepperoni Pizza Dip, Mini Pizza Cups, and Cheesy Breakfast Pizza next!

Jump to:

• Why We Love This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe:
• Ingredients you need:
• How to Make Garlic Bread Pizza:
• Alternatives and Variations:
• Pro-Tips:
• Storing and Reheating:
• FAQ:
• More 30 Minute Meal Recipes to Try
• 📖 Recipe
• Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook when you make this Cheesy Garlic Pizza Bread recipe! I would love to see your creation, and give you a shoutout!

My family loves when I make cheesy garlic bread pizza for dinner. This a great recipe that will please everyone. Take a loaf of French bread, slice it in half, and make one pepperoni pizza and one Margherita pizza.

Why We Love This Garlic Bread Pizza Recipe:

Easy! The great thing about this recipe is it is the ultimate shortcut. We are not making pizza dough, but starting with a crispy loaf of bread so the recipe is simple and straightforward. Prep time is just 10 minutes with about 20 minutes of cooking time.

Kid Friendly! This is a fun weeknight dinner idea. Let the kids join in on the fun and have them add the toppings before you place the garlic bread pizza in the oven. And believe it or not, the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the Margherita pizza!

Better Than Delivery! No, it is not Digiorno, Stauffers, or Pizza Hut but it is affordable and healthier. When you make French bread pizza at home, you know exactly what you are feeding your family and you can customize the toppings so everyone is happy!

Ingredients you need:

Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza:

• Garlic bread loaf: The beauty of using garlic bread is that we do not need to make our own garlic butter or use olive oil, fresh garlic, or garlic powder. Just slice the loaf in half, lengthwise.
• Pizza sauce: Try my easy marinara sauce or just pick up your favorite pizza or tomato sauce at the grocery store.
• Cheese: I use shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese for a cheesy blend that melts well.
• Pepperoni slices: Use your favorite brand.

Margherita Pizza:

• Garlic bread loaf: Use just one side/half of the loaf. Toast it for about 5 minutes so the garlic toast base is sturdy enough to hold all the toppings.
• Pizza sauce: Try my easy marinara sauce or just pick up your favorite pizza or tomato sauce at the grocery store.
• Tomato: Thinly sliced.
• Mozzarella cheese: Shredded.
• Basil leaves: Chiffonade (or thinly chopped).

Balsamic Glaze (optional):

• Balsamic vinegar: This is a rich sauce with a tart flavor and a hint of smokiness.
• Brown sugar: This mellows the tartness of the balsamic with sweetness.

How to Make Garlic Bread Pizza:

Start by preheating the oven to 375°F. Then place both slices of garlic bread on a sheet pan and bake in the oven for about 5 minutes.

Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza:

Take one half of the garlic bread loaf and add the pizza sauce directly over the top. Spread the sauce evenly over the loaf of bread. 

Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese to cover the entire loaf of bread. Now layer pepperoni on top of the cheese. After that, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the pepperoni. 

Place the loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. 

Remove from the oven and cut into slices to serve right away. Enjoy!

Margherita Pizza:

Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a saucepan and heat it up over medium-high heat. Stir it constantly for about 5 minutes. Remove it from the heat and set it aside. The sauce will reduce and become a glaze. 

Take one half of the garlic bread loaf and add the pizza sauce directly over the top. Spread the sauce evenly over the loaf of bread. 

Then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the bread. Next, add the sliced tomatoes in one even layer, followed by the remaining mozzarella cheese. 

Sprinkle the chiffonade basil right over the top of the bread. Place the loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. 

Remove from the oven and drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top. Cut the garlic bread pizza into slices to serve right away. Finally, enjoy your pizza garlic bread!

Alternatives and Variations:

• Cheese: For depth of flavor, add parmesan cheese to the mozzarella mix. This adds a sharp, salty taste to the cheese.
• Bread: Instead of garlic butter French bread, you can try Texas toast. It is great for easy, individual servings.
• Pizza Toppings: In my house, pepperoni and Margherita are the top pizza flavors, but you can add whatever toppings you would like. Try crumbled sausage, peppers, mushrooms, or olives. Top with red pepper flakes once it is cooked, for a kick of spice.

Pro-Tips:

• Do not forget to toast the bread before you add your toppings. This gives you a sturdy garlic bread base so the pizza does not come out soggy.
• If you only want to make the pepperoni and cheese, or the Margherita pizza, just double the ingredients for either. 
• If you are making both the “grown up” variation (Margherita pizza) and the pepperoni and cheese, you can assemble and cook them at the same time.

Storing and Reheating:

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. Place it in the fridge and consume it within one week. To reheat, warm it up in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer.

FAQ:

How do you keep French bread pizza from getting soggy?

Prevent your garlic bread pizza from getting soggy by toasting the pizza base before adding sauce and toppings.

Can I use bread as pizza dough?

You can absolutely use bread instead of pizza dough. You can any bread that is thick and sturdy. Try a French baguette, ciabatta bread, or even pita bread.

What to eat with garlic pizza bread?

Enjoy garlic bread pizza with salad and chicken wings, like Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings or these Lemon Pepper Honey Wings.

More 30 Minute Meal Recipes to Try

• Cajun Garlic Butter Salmon Bites
• Super Cheesy Cheese Quesadillas
• The Perfect Air Fryer Shrimp
• Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook when you make this Cheesy Garlic Pizza Bread recipe! I would love to see your creation, and give you a shoutout!