Garlic Bread Pizzas Will Keep The Game Day Crowd Happy

Sure, you could prepare pizza dough (or buy store-bought), but these garlic bread pizzas are an even easier way to make pizza, especially for a crowd. Ready in 25 minutes, they're also faster than delivery. Using frozen garlic bread—straight from freezer to tray, no need to thaw or prebake—not only helps keep things quick and simple, but also provides the perfect blank canvas for toppings. You get crispy bread on the outside, a soft center, and plenty of garlic butter in every bite. Need we say more?

Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas baked and ready to serve
Photo:

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas ingredients

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-oz.) loaf frozen garlic bread (about 15 inches long)

  • 1 cup jarred marinara sauce (from 1 [24-oz.] jar)

  • 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

  • 1 large garlic clove, grated (about 1/2 tsp.)

  • 4 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

  • 1 oz. fontina cheese, shredded (about 1/4 cup)

  • 1 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup)

  • 20 slices pepperoni

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion

Directions

  1. Prepare garlic bread loaf:

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Separate loaf into 2 halves. Place each half, cut side up, on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizza preparing the pan and the bread

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Assemble pizzas:

    Stir together marinara, olive oil, oregano, and garlic in a small bowl until combined. Spoon marinara mixture evenly over each bread half.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas stirring together the sauce mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Combine cheeses in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over bread halves.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizza sprinkled with cheese

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Top evenly with pepperoni and sliced onion.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas topped with pepperoni and onions

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Bake pizzas:

    Bake in preheated oven until cheeses are melted and edges of bread are golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil, and broil until cheeses begin to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas after baking

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Cut each pizza in half before serving.

    Southern Living Garlic Bread Pizzas cutting the bread in half

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Peach + Sausage + Red Onion

Proceed as directed through Step 1. In Step 2, omit marinara sauce, olive oil, oregano, and garlic. Spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce over cut side of each bread half. Sprinkle with cheeses as directed; top with thinly sliced peaches, cooked smoked sausage, and red onion. Bake as directed.

Mayo + Tomato + Basil

Proceed as directed through Step 1. In Step 2, omit marinara sauce, olive oil, oregano, and garlic. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over cut side of each bread half. Sprinkle with cheeses as directed; top evenly with thinly sliced tomato. Bake as directed. Garnish with fresh basil.

Related Articles