Pin it
Nothing beats this souped-up French bread pizza that turns a simple weeknight meal into something you won't forget. This better-than-takeout version starts with a crunchy toasted base smothered in flavorful garlic butter, then gets loaded with gooey melted cheese and a thick, herb-packed tomato sauce. A few smart cooking tricks and great ingredients take this childhood favorite to a whole new level.
I've tried making this dozens of ways in my kitchen, and this version consistently hits that sweet spot between crunchy and chewy that my kids beg for every single week.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Water-packed mozzarella cheese: It melts perfectly and has that mild, creamy taste for the ultimate cheese pull. Make sure you dry it well before using it.
- Regular French bread: Go for a softer loaf instead of something super crusty. The softer bread makes a better base and gets that nice golden brown color.
- Real garlic cloves: You'll need them for both the butter mix and sauce. Pick heads that feel heavy and have tight skin for the strongest flavor.
- Good olive oil: Spending a bit more on extra virgin olive oil really pays off in flavor. Use it while cooking and drizzle some on at the end.
- Leafy herbs: Fresh basil and parsley add pop and color. Look for bright, perky leaves for the best taste.
Building Your Dream Pizza
- Mixing Up Garlic Butter:
- Stir soft butter with finely chopped fresh garlic until they're completely mixed together.
- Making Your Special Sauce:
- First, lightly cook minced garlic until it smells amazing but isn't brown yet.
- Prepping The Bread:
- Cut your loaf down the middle to get two even halves.
- First Toasting Step:
- Spread lots of your garlic butter mix all over each bread half.
- Adding First Cheese Layer:
- Put thin mozzarella slices all over the toasted bread.
- Putting It All Together:
- Spoon your sauce on top and add the rest of your cheese, making sure everything's covered well.
- Last Little Touches:
- Sprinkle fresh parmesan and fragrant herbs all over the top.
Pin it
My little girl found her passion for cooking through this dish. She calls herself the official garlic butter expert, carefully measuring everything and proudly spreading it all over the bread herself.
Tasty Companions
Make your French bread pizza into a full dinner by adding a fresh Caesar salad topped with homemade garlicky croutons. If you want something heartier, serve it with a bowl of thick tomato soup for dipping. And if you're feeling fancy, a cool glass of red Italian wine goes perfectly with all these flavors.
Make It Your Own
You can switch things up with all kinds of toppings. Try some slowly cooked onions and mushrooms for a deep, earthy taste, or add crispy bacon bits and fresh arugula after it's done baking for a fancy touch. If you don't eat meat, a mix of roasted veggies and creamy ricotta makes an amazing combo.
Storing Leftovers
Put any extra slices in a sealed container in your fridge for up to three days. When you want to reheat them, warm your oven to 350°F and heat them for 8-10 minutes. Don't use the microwave or you'll end up with soggy bread. If you want to freeze some, wrap each piece in foil and they'll keep for about a month.
Pin it
I've made French bread pizza for years, but this version really stands out as the perfect mix of easy and fancy. The smart cooking methods and good ingredients turn a basic dish into something special that brings everyone running to the dinner table.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare French loaf pizza beforehand?
- It's tastiest fresh out of the oven, but you can get things ready early - mix up the garlic butter and sauce up to 2 days before. For the crunchiest results, put it all together and bake right when you want to eat.
- → What kind of bread works best?
- Go for fresh French or Italian loaves around 18 inches long and 4 inches wide. You need bread that's firm enough to hold your toppings but not too hard or crusty.
- → Why should I flatten the bread?
- Pushing down on the bread makes a firmer base that gets crunchier when baked and stops the sauce from making everything soggy.
- → Can I put other stuff on top?
- You bet! Once you've got your sauce and cheese on there, feel free to add whatever you like - pepperoni, mushrooms, or peppers all work great.
- → How do I keep leftover loaf pizza?
- Pop leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to eat them, warm in a 350°F oven until hot and crispy, about 10 minutes.