Growing up, my mom would often serve us pizza loaves from the freezer. And by often, I mean often. At least once a week. I don’t remember which brand…I just remembered that I loved them.
We don’t eat pizza very often these days, and when we do I prefer making the crust myself, and adding veggies on top or having fruit or salad on the side. I want to incorporate as many healthy ingredients as I can to our pizza!
(Side note: This summer, I plan to make pizza once a week…using mostly vegetables from the garden…and making it on the grill as often as I can! Will post about it every Friday…is what I’m hoping!)
So back to the pizza, as I was putting together these pizza loaves, I had an immediate flashback to 1989…when my mom would pull out the pre-made pizza loaves from the freezer. I was running behind on Friday…got sidetracked by a few things and completely forgot to start the dough/crust in the bread machine. Thankfully I had a French loaf in the freezer…and I could have these pizzas together and on the table in 25 minutes!
These hit the table for the boys’ sleepover on Friday night, along with some fresh fruit…and followed by the Caramel Cashew Brownies. Nummy dinner for a special night with friends!
When making these pepperoni pizza loaves, I used the “double decker” method. I put pepperonis just on top of the sauce. (You can see some peeking out under the cheese.) And I put some on top of the cheese.
Double delicious!
And the key to saving time and money with these pizza loaves…getting a large loaf of French bread on Manager’s Special. Not going to use it right away?! Freeze it!
At this price, I’m not sure making your own bread is worth the “time cost,” as the ingredients for this size of French loaf would cost $.99 themselves. Make your own bread if you prefer. Or use a manager’s special loaf if short on time!
Loaf Bread Pizza - A Flashback to 1989
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf French bread
- 1/2 jar pizza sauce
- 1/2 bag pepperonis
- 2 cups shredded pizza blend cheese
- fresh fruit or veggies side dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Slice the French loaf in half. Spread pizza sauce over top of the bread.
- Add a layer of pepperonis. Then sprinkle the shredded cheese over top...then add more pepperonis.
- Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Slice and serve with fresh fruit or veggies.
Terri says
Yum! We used to have these when I was a kid, too. My mom always made them just like this. I still make them, but over the years I have changed to using a package of sandwich rolls for the bread instead of a big french loaf. It makes for cute little mini pizzas, and you don’t have to struggle to cut the big loaf. 🙂
Susanne says
I made pizza tonight with round loaves (think Panera Bread) that dear hubby picked up from a thrift store for .50!!!! I sliced them in half just like the long loaves and topped with sauce, cheese and pork sausage I had in the freezer (cooked in a large batch a few weeks ago — see we pay attention!!!). The kids loved it and no take out on daddy’s late night 🙂
LisaE says
Sometimes you make me feel stupid, Erin….as in, why didn’t I thinl of this! I will have to make something like this soon when lettuce goes on sale to have a nice salad on the side. This will be great when warmer weather finally comes.
Ellen says
I make homemade pizza at least 1-2 times per week. My family (husband and 7 yr old daughter) LOVE it! (I also use the left over crust to make reheat night better … last night I used 1/2 the crust , uncooked, over night proof, from the pizza the night before and the taco seasoned meat from the night before that to make a taco calzone rolled out really thin, leftover meat, cheese and chopped tomatoes, they LOVED it!) but I digress. I usually make mini individual pizzas that everyone can top themselves. This makes the little people in the house happy. We make happy faces with veges or if they are in the mood for plain cheese I mix pureed veges into the sauce to make it a little more healthy. Starting this past week I am back to pizzas on the grill. Sooooo good!
Sarah (Frontier Kitchen) says
My mom made pizza this way too. Every so often when we have french bread that needs to be used up, I’ll make it just for the warm fuzzy nostalgic feelings. 🙂
MKS says
What veggies would you put on it to add to the healthiness? And would you cook them first or put them on raw? (I assume you mean something other that olives, onions, bell peppers.)
Food on the Table says
One thing’s certain: a pizza loaf can transcend any generational gap! Who knew nostalgia could taste so yummy? My mom used to make a similar type of pizza except using Arabic naan as the loaf. I highly recommend it!
Becca says
I make home made pizza as well. I use flatouts or pitas when they are on sale to cut down on the amount of bread for the pizza. I will have to try it with french bread soon though 🙂
Rebekah @ Making Miracles says
This was a “go-to” when I was growing up to! So easy and everyone can fix there’s however they like. Yummy, fun, and easy – can’t beat it!
The Working Home Keeper says
We grilled pizza last summer and it was so delicious! We did burn our first crust, but the second attempt was better LOL! We’re definitely going to do it again this year.
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
Angela from Sunny San Diego says
French bread piiza was SOOOO cool and popular in the 80’s. Gotta love it!
Wonder if your bread ended up a bit soggy from the sauce. If I don’t toast my bread under the broiler for a minute or 2 first it always ends up soggy. The thing I remember from the frozen FBP is how crunchy and not soggy it was. DELISH!!
Friday nights are pizza nights in my house. I am totally making this tomorrow night!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. =)
Lynda says
can you freeze this?
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
You can. I would freeze it in foil before baking it (to contain the mess.) You could bake it, then let cool completely and freeze in freezer bags as well.
Gail Becker says
This looks so easy to make, that my boys could do this! I love pizza & this would be great to do once a week. Thanks for sharing this receipe.
amy says
I love doing this! I;ll get a couple french bread loaves for super cheap and make up a big batch and then freeze them. So easy to pull out and bake when I’m having a busy day!
Dana says
I read this post yesterday during my lunchbreak and after work when I went to the store to do my shopping what did I see? A french loaf on manager’s special! haha. I’m so excited to make this tonight for dinner and to have a use for these discounted loaves that I see at the store all the time.