Irresistible French Bread Pizza Boats Recipe
These French Bread Pizza Boats are a delicious and easy dinner option featuring a crusty French bread base loaded with classic pizza toppings and baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a quick family meal, they combine the convenience of sandwiches with the flavors of traditional pizza in one satisfying dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
French Bread Base
- 1 loaf French bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup cooked sausage crumbles
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup diced green bell peppers
- ¼ cup diced red onions
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out some of the soft interior to create shallow ‘boats’ that will hold the toppings without spilling over.
- Brush and Season: Brush the insides of the hollowed bread halves generously with olive oil. Sprinkle the olive oil-coated bread with Italian seasoning to infuse flavor into the bread.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread pizza sauce evenly inside each bread half. Next, layer on the shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by pepperoni slices, cooked sausage crumbles, sliced black olives, diced green bell peppers, and diced red onions to build your pizza layers.
- Bake: Place the prepared bread boats on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely, is bubbly, and the edges of the bread are golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the pizza boats to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then slice into portions and serve warm for a delicious dinner.
Notes
- You can customize toppings to your preference, such as adding mushrooms or substituting meats.
- For a crispy crust, brush the outside of the bread lightly with olive oil before baking.
- Use precooked sausage to save time and ensure it’s fully cooked before baking.
- Fresh basil adds a pop of color and freshness but is optional.
- Serve with a side salad for a well-rounded meal.
Keywords: French bread pizza, pizza boats, easy dinner, homemade pizza, quick pizza recipe, Italian-American cuisine
