Description
This Meat Lovers Pizza Bread is a flavorful and hearty twist on traditional pizza, combining seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, and layers of melted cheese braided in a golden, buttery pizza dough. Perfect for sharing, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s quick to prepare and bake, served with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce (from the jar, divided)
Pizza Bread
- 1 jar pizza sauce (about 12-16 oz), divided
- 1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 oz thin-sliced pepperoni (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano (remaining)
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Beef: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, garlic powder, and kosher salt until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Mix Beef with Sauce: Let the cooked beef cool slightly, then stir in 1/3 cup of pizza sauce to infuse it with extra flavor. Set this mixture aside for assembly.
- Prepare Dough Base: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or lightly greased. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangular shape, being careful not to tear it.
- Add Sauce: Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce evenly down the center of the stretched dough, leaving the sides clear for folding.
- Layer Toppings: Over the sauce, layer the 4 slices of provolone cheese, followed by the pepperoni slices, the beef and sauce mixture, and finish with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Braid the Dough: Cut 1-inch-wide strips down both sides of the dough. Alternately fold these strips over the filling in a braided pattern, enclosing the toppings securely within the dough.
- Brush and Season: Brush the entire dough braid with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of dried oregano to add a savory crust.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through. While the bread bakes, warm the remaining pizza sauce for dipping.
- Serve: Remove the pizza bread from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Slice the bread and serve warm with the heated pizza sauce on the side.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat during cooking.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, add red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- Ensure the dough is not stretched too thin to prevent tearing during braiding.
- Substitute mozzarella with a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for a sharper flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and melted cheese.
