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A freshly baked garbage bread loaf sliced to reveal melted cheese and pepperoni filling.

Garbage Bread

A versatile and delicious stuffed bread filled with your choice of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sauces, perfect for using up leftovers or creating a crowd-pleasing meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 pound pizza dough or crescent roll dough or puff pastry Choose based on your preference.
For the Fillings
  • 1 cup marinara sauce or your favorite sauce
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese (e.g., mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone) Use your favorite cheese.
  • 1-2 cups proteins (pepperoni, sausage, grilled chicken, etc.) Mix and match as desired.
  • 1 cup cooked vegetables (onions, peppers, spinach, etc.) Sauté vegetables to reduce moisture.
For the Topping
  • 1 beaten egg for egg wash
  • Optional: Sesame seeds, Parmesan, or Italian seasoning for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cook Proteins: Sauté or cook meats like sausage or ground beef, and drain any excess fat.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Cook high-moisture vegetables like onions or mushrooms to reduce liquid.
  4. Shred Cheese: Prepare your cheese of choice for easy layering.
Assembly
  1. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then roll the dough into a rectangular shape, about ¼ inch thick.
  2. Transfer the rolled dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Spread sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
  4. Layer proteins, vegetables, and cheese evenly over the sauce.
  5. Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, tucking in the sides as you go.
  6. Pinch the seam and ends to seal, placing the loaf seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Baking
  1. Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg for a shiny, golden crust.
  2. Sprinkle with optional toppings.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is heated through.
  4. Allow the bread to rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice into portions using a serrated knife.

Notes

Feel free to customize the fillings based on what you have on hand. This dish is perfect for using up leftovers.