Easy French bread pizza made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals.
There are certain things from childhood that stay with us forever…family vacations, back-to-school shopping, staying up late, and simple meals that tasted amazing. In the summer, lunch at our house was usually whatever we could find. As we got older, my brothers and I made our own, and one of our favorite options was pizza made with just bread, sauce, and cheese. We had a gas oven that needed to be lit with a match, and I was never very good at it, so I usually asked one of my brothers or my mom for help. We’d toast the bread on a cookie sheet, add the sauce and cheese, and pop it back in the oven until everything was melted and bubbly. The French bread pizza recipe I’m sharing today isn’t exactly the same, but it brought those memories right back. As I spread the sauce and sprinkled the cheese, I remembered those summer lunches. This version is still simple, but it’s filling, easy to prepare, and so good.
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French Bread Pizza Ingredients
- French bread: use any kind of soft crust French bread. The sub bun size also works and is perfect for two people. Avoid baguettes because the crust is very hard.
- Butter: softened or melted butter helps toast the bread so the sauce doesn’t sink into the French bread pizza and become mushy. Olive oil is also a good choice.
- Oregano: sprinkle on the butter before toasting for that classic homemade pizza taste.
- Red pepper flakes: to spice your pizza up a bit, but this is totally optional.
- Pizza sauce: my favorite brand is Contadina, but use what you like best.
- Small tomatoes: Tomatoes from your garden or farmers market are, of course, the best. Campari tomatoes are also very good, as are Roma tomatoes.
- Pepperoni: adds amazing flavor. The thinly sliced variety works best.
- Mozzarella cheese: fresh hand-shredded cheese is always delicious, but feel free to use what’s in the bag.
- Parmesan cheese: adds a salty taste to this French bread pizza and more texture on top.
- Fresh basil leaves: fresh herbs are always great!
Make These Pizzas Your Own
This homemade French bread pizza recipe is meant to be used as a starting point, and the fun part is making it your own. The ingredients and amounts can be adjusted to suit your family’s taste, so feel free to get creative. Use different sauces like pesto or Alfredo, or try adding cooked sausage, pepperoni, or sliced veggies. You can also switch up the cheese. Mozzarella is classic, but cheddar, provolone, or even crumbled feta are delicious options. Let everyone build their own pizza with their favorite toppings, kids especially love this, and turn it into a meal that’s both fun and personal.
French Bread Pizza Topping Ideas
Simply use your family’s favorite pizza toppings, veggies, and cheeses. Here are some suggestions:
- Bacon
- Ham
- Italian sausage
- Ground beef
- Shredded chicken
- Bacon
- Sweet onion
- Red onion
- Mushrooms
- Green, yellow, or red peppers
- Artichokes
- Spinach
- Pineapple
- Fresh basil
- Fresh parsley
French Bread Pizza Tips + Variations
- Line your baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.
- Every oven is a little different, so place your baking sheet where the heat is most even. In my convection gas oven, I move the middle rack up one notch for best results.
- One or two large loaves of French bread work perfectly for this recipe, but smaller sub buns are a great option too. My local Kroger bakery sometimes carries them, and they’re always fresh and soft.
- Brands like Schwebel’s, Nickles, and Aunt Millie’s all make Italian-style sub buns. They’re sometimes labeled as hoagie rolls. Pepperidge Farm also makes a version with sesame seeds that’s especially good.
- French bread loaves vary in size, so be sure to adjust the amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings to fit. The loaves from my Kroger bakery measure around 14 inches long and 5 inches wide.
Semi-Homemade Pizza Sauce
If you can’t find a pizza sauce that you love, try making this semi-homemade version. Mix together 1 cup of tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Use your favorite brand of tomato sauce, or if you have a garden and can your own, that works beautifully too. Our favorite brand of tomato paste and tomato sauce is Contadina.
French Bread Pizza Making Supplies
- large baking sheet
- pizza cutter
- large wood cutting board
- Pyrex measuring cup set
- Cheese grater (over 28,000 reviews and it comes in 10 fun colors!)
French Bread Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 loaf unsliced soft French bread
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- dried oregano
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- pepperoni slices
- other toppings of your choice (See list of topping suggestions.)
- 4 Campari or Roma tomatoes
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Slice the loaf of French bread in half, lengthwise. Place on baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
- Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with dried oregano.
- Bake for 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with pizza sauce.
- Add half the mozzarella.
- Distribute your favorite toppings evenly over the two halves.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Add sliced tomatoes if desired.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are toasted and cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil.
- Wait 5 minutes, slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!
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I used to sever French bread pizzas to my children when they were young but with a simpler set of ingredients (children have a limited pallet), but this recipe is wonderful to serve to adults who will enjoy a nicer array of flavors and textures. Cut up in smaller pieces and a great appetizer.
I remember buying these in the freezer section 40 years ago. Homemade will be so much better.
Aah, brilliant .. why I didn’t think of this before, LOL!!! But thank you for sharing, this is making pizza night a little more fun (variety)!
Sounds yummy! Will have to adapt to gluten-free but definitely want to make this! Thank you for sharing!
This definitely takes me back. We all loved french bread pizzas when we were young and so did my boys. This is on the menu for tonight. Have a great week :)
This is a perfect easy summer dinner, doing it tonight!
This sounds so yummy and easy enough to prepare! And I really like the grater you recommend.
I made these last night for Hubby and myself. Wow they were so delicious and we loved the fresh basil and Roma tomatoes. Thank you for sharing this recipe it is surely a keeper. Happy Summer.
Cathie in PA.
I’m excited to give this a try! I have tomato and basil growing in the garden this year!
Forgot about these pizzas! Bring back such nice memories!
Thank you.