Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight is the ultimate answer for anyone who craves the unbeatable combination of gooey cheese, sizzling beef, and saucy, savory goodness all wrapped in pillowy dough. Imagine the comforting heartiness of stromboli paired with the fun indulgence of pizza night, then dial up the flavors by tucking everything into a shareable loaf. Whether it’s a bustling weeknight dinner or a laid-back game day feast, this nostalgic favorite brings everyone to the table for a slice (or three) of warm, cheesy happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight truly shines thanks to its handful of straightforward but essential ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, bringing color, texture, and that crave-worthy Italian-American flavor to every bite. Don’t skimp—a little attention to each ingredient guarantees maximum yum!
- 1 lb ground beef: The savory foundation that gives this bread its hearty, meaty satisfaction and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
- 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade): A soft, stretchy canvas that bakes into a golden, tender loaf, ready to hold all the tasty fillings.
- ½ cup pizza sauce: Classic tomato sauce brings instant tang and moisture, tying everything together like the inside of your favorite pizza.
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella: Ultra-melty cheese delivers stretch and creaminess that oozes with every mouthful.
- ½ cup diced onions and peppers: Sweet and savory pops of flavor plus a splash of color to brighten up each slice.
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning: The secret blend that transforms simple ingredients into pure Italian comfort.
- Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp water): Your ticket to a shiny, golden crust that looks (and tastes) bakery-level.
How to Make Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Ingredients
Crank up the oven to 400°F (200°C) and set out all your ingredients. Lining your baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat means you’ll have a mess-free loaf later, and that egg wash on standby gives you the perfect shiny finish.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Veggies
Set a skillet over medium-high heat and toss in the ground beef, diced onions, diced peppers, and Italian seasoning. Break up the meat as it cooks, letting all the flavors mingle and the veggies just start to soften—about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and let the mixture cool so it won’t melt the cheese or dough.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
On a floured surface, roll your pizza dough into a large rectangle, roughly 10-by-14 inches. Don’t stress about total perfection—just aim for a shape that gives you plenty of room for stuffing. A dough rectangle makes for easier rolling and even layers!
Step 4: Layer the Fillings
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges so the fillings won’t ooze out. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella on top of the sauce, then pile on your cooled beef-veggie mixture. Finish with the rest of the cheese for real melt factor.
Step 5: Roll and Seal
Carefully roll up the dough, jelly-roll style, starting from one long edge. Pinch the seam and the ends closed to keep all those delicious layers inside. Place the loaf seam-side down on your prepared baking pan. Don’t skip this—otherwise the cheese might escape!
Step 6: Egg Wash and Bake
Brush the entire loaf with your prepared egg wash, making sure you hit every nook for the ultimate golden crust. Slide it into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed and deep golden brown. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will let you know you’re on the right track!
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Let your Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight rest for at least 5 minutes out of the oven—this makes slicing a breeze and keeps those gorgeous layers intact. Cut into thick slices and get ready for smiles all around.
How to Serve Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight
Garnishes
Take it over the top with a sprinkling of fresh basil, parsley, or a final shower of parmesan right before serving. If you love a little zing, serve with a bowl of warm marinara on the side for dipping, or a dash of red chili flakes for heat seekers.
Side Dishes
Pair your Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight with a simple green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette, a batch of roasted veggies, or some crisp potato wedges. These sides keep the meal feeling fresh but let your stuffed bread shine as the star.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the bread whole on a big wooden board, and watch everyone swoon as you slice into the golden crust. For parties, cut it into smaller bite-size pinwheels with toothpicks. Or, make a whole “flight” of garbage breads with different fillings to suit every taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap cooled slices tightly in foil or place in an airtight container and stash in the fridge. Your Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight will stay moist and tasty for up to three days, making for the best grab-and-go lunch or late-night nibble.
Freezing
Freeze either whole or sliced! Once cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil, then freeze for up to two months. Individual slices make lunchbox magic—just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Pop slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes, wrapped in foil to keep them soft and gooey. For extra crisp edges, unwrap for the last couple of minutes. The microwave works in a pinch, but oven-heating preserves that freshly baked flavor and texture best.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Sausage, ground turkey, or even chopped pepperoni all work beautifully in this Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight. Let your cravings (or whatever’s in your fridge) lead the way.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes you can! Load it with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, or any cooked veggies you like. Add some olives or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra punch, and keep the cheese as the ooey-gooey star.
How can I keep the filling from leaking out?
Pinch those seams and ends closed firmly before baking, and make sure not to overstuff with sauce. Cooling the meat mixture first also helps keep everything tucked inside while it bakes.
What’s the best dough to use?
Store-bought pizza dough is wonderfully convenient and bakes up soft and chewy. If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade pizza dough or even bread dough will give you an even richer flavor and texture.
Can I make Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the loaf, wrap it up, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Just add a couple minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge—just be sure to let it warm a bit so it rises nicely in the oven.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like slicing into a homemade Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight and seeing those layers of beef, veggies, and cheese bubbling away inside. This dish is pure comfort with a side of fun—and once you try it, I promise it’ll become a must-make in your recipe rotation. Gather your favorite people, pick your fillings, and bake up some meaty, cheesy joy tonight!
Print
Garbage Bread: Easy Homemade Main Dish Delight Recipe
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 1 large loaf (6 servings)
- Diet: High Protein
Description
A savory stuffed-roll “garbage bread” loaded with beef, cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings — a fun main-dish twist on stromboli.
Ingredients
Ground Beef:
1 lb
- 1 lb ground beef
Pizza Dough:
1 ul
Pizza Sauce:
1 ul
Shredded Mozzarella:
1 ul
Diced Onions and Peppers:
1 ul
Italian Seasoning:
1 ul
Egg Wash:
1 ul
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
- Brown Beef: Brown beef with veggies and seasoning; cool slightly.
- Roll Dough: Roll dough into rectangle; spread sauce, beef, and cheese.
- Roll Up: Roll up like a jelly roll; pinch seams.
- Brush and Bake: Brush with egg wash and bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
Notes
- Slice after 5 minutes cooling for clean layers.
- Fill with sausage, pepperoni, or veggies for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Main Dish, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
