This French bread pizza is an easy dinner made with store-bought French bread topped with pasta sauce, Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, onions, and black olives. Ready in about 35 minutes, it's a quick homemade pizza that's perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or movie night.
What's great about this recipe
Quick and easy - Ready in about 35 minutes using store-bought French bread and simple ingredients.
Easy to customize - Since the loaf is divided into four pieces, everyone can choose their own toppings. No compromises needed!
Perfect for dinner or a party appetizer - It works for a quick weeknight meal, but it's also easy to cut into smaller pieces for game day or a casual party.
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Budget Check
- The full recipe is about $12-$15
- Per serving (4 servings): about $3-$3.75
Uses conventional ingredients. Based on recent U.S. national averages. Actual prices will vary by store and region.
Ingredients you'll need
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Italian sausage - Use your favorite Italian sausage. Hot, mild, or sweet all work well. We use crumbled sausage for this recipe. If you prefer hearty pieces of sliced sausage, try our skillet Italian sausage and use it in place of the crumbled sausage.
Bread - Use a loaf of French bread (not baguette). Try to choose one that is evenly shaped for uniform pizzas.
Pantry - From the pantry you will need extra virgin olive oil, black olives, and pasta sauce (or pizza sauce). We use a meatless variety of pasta sauce because there is always a jar in the fridge or pantry. Plus, it is cheap and convenient.
Cheese - We use prepackaged shredded mozzarella cheese in this recipe. I recommend the "whole milk mozzarella" because it is creamier and melts better.
Produce and spices - White onion sliced thin, so it doesn't overpower the other flavors, and a light sprinkle of dried oregano and garlic powder to add another layer of flavor.
Garnish and serving - Serve the French bread pizza with crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to Make French Bread Pizza
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 8-10 minutes until cooked through. Stir frequently and break up any large pieces.
Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with an oven-safe wire rack, if you have one. If not, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Cut the loaf of bread in half to make 2 pieces.
Cut each piece lengthwise to open it up, then brush the inside of each piece with olive oil.
Spoon on the pasta sauce and spread it in a thin layer over all 4 pieces.
Divide about ¾ of the mozzarella cheese (1½ cups) among the 4 pieces.
Arrange the sausage, sliced onions, and black olives on the pizzas. Top with the reserved cheese, then sprinkle with the dried oregano and garlic powder.
Place the pizzas on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
Serve with crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Recipe tips and notes
- Don't overload the pizzas. Keep the sauce and toppings in relatively thin, even layers. Too much of either can weigh down the bread and make it soggy.
- Cook meat toppings first. The Italian sausage is fully cooked before it goes on the pizza. If you substitute another meat, make sure it's fully cooked before adding it to the pizza. If using ham, fry it briefly first to release some of the excess liquid.
- Customize the pizzas to make them your own. Use your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni or vegetables. Slice vegetables with a lot of moisture very thin so they have a chance to dry out in the oven instead of releasing excess liquid onto the pizza.
Serving suggestions
For an easy dinner, serve French bread pizza with a simple green salad. Try it with our Parmesan peppercorn dressing or homemade Caesar dressing for a satisfying meal.
For a game day spread, serve it alongside a few easy appetizers like buffalo chicken meatballs, baked buffalo wings, creamy everything bagel dip, or classic pigs in a blanket.
Frequently asked questions
Brush the cut side of the French bread with a thin layer of olive oil and avoid using too much sauce. The oil creates a light barrier between the bread and sauce, helping keep the bread from getting soggy as the pizza bakes.
Bake the French bread pizza at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
Use a wide loaf of French bread with a soft interior and a lightly crusty exterior. Look for a loaf that is fairly even in shape and wide enough to hold the toppings. Avoid a thin, dense baguette, which has less surface area and a much crustier exterior.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Reheat the pizza in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until hot and the cheese is melted. An air fryer can also be used.
Food safety: Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Do not leave the pizza at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
If you enjoyed this French bread pizza and can't get enough, try our popular pizza pot pies. They're a fun twist and great for parties, or try our pizza pasta bake for an easy family dinner.
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📖 Recipe
French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Italian Sausage casings removed and torn into pieces or use bulk sausage (use mild, hot, or sweet sausage)
- 1 Loaf French Bread about 18 inches long
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¾-1 cup Pasta Sauce use a meatless variety (or use Pizza Sauce)
- 7-8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 tablespoon White Onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon Black Olives thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper for serving optional
- Parmesan Cheese for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook 8-10 minutes until cooked through. Stir the sausage frequently and break up any large pieces.
- Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and place it on a plate that is lined with a paper towel to drain.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with an oven-safe wire rack, if you have one. If not, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Cut the bread loaf in half to make 2 pieces (each about 9 inches). Cut each piece lengthwise to open it up. Brush the inside of each with olive oil.
- Spoon on the pasta sauce and spread it in a thin layer on all 4 pieces.
- Use about ¾ of the mozzarella cheese (1½ cups) among the 4 slices. Reserve the rest (about ½ cup) to top at the end.
- Arrange the sausage, sliced onions, and black olives on the pizzas and top with the reserved cheese. Sprinkle the top with the dried oregano and garlic powder.
- Place the pizza on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
- Serve with crushed red pepper and parmesan cheese, if desired.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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