What meats are included in this pizza bread?

This bread features cooked lean ground beef and thin-sliced pepperoni layered inside the dough for a robust, meaty flavor.

What cheeses are used?

Provolone slices and shredded mozzarella provide a creamy and gooey texture, while Parmesan is sprinkled on top for a savory finish.

How do you get the bread golden and flavorful?

Brushing melted butter over the wrapped dough and finishing with grated Parmesan and oregano ensures a golden, flavorful crust.

Is sauce served inside or as a dip?

Some pizza sauce is layered inside with the fillings, and the remaining sauce is heated and served on the side for dipping.

Can I use other meats or cheeses?

Absolutely! Swap ground beef or pepperoni for your favorites, or try different cheese blends according to your taste.

How do you braid the dough?

Cut 1-inch strips along the dough and cross them over the filling for a braided bread appearance before baking.

Meat Lovers Pizza Bread with Pepperoni and Cheese

A delicious Meat Lovers Pizza Bread is displayed on a wooden cutting board, ready to be sliced and enjoyed. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Meat Lovers Pizza Bread has become my go-to whenever the craving for something cheesy and hearty strikes and I want to feed a crowd with minimal fuss. This recipe wraps all the best parts of a classic meat lovers pizza—savory beef, pepperoni, melty cheese—into an easy shareable loaf. It is the perfect answer for game day, movie night, or any time pizza just sounds good in a new form.

I first made this on a Friday night when I needed to stretch one pound of beef and feed some hungry teenagers. By the time I pulled it out of the oven, the smell alone had everyone circling the kitchen.

Ingredients

Lean ground beef: Use 90 percent lean or higher for less grease and more meaty flavor
Dried oregano: Select a fresh jar of herbs for punchy Italian notes
Garlic powder: Brings out earthy savory depth in the meat
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of all the layers
Pizza sauce: Choose your favorite jarred variety or homemade for customization
Refrigerated pizza dough: Chilled store-bought dough makes this recipe achievable in moments
Provolone cheese: Slices melt beautifully and create a creamy layer
Thin-sliced pepperoni: Opt for a good-quality pepperoni with bold flavor
Mozzarella cheese: Shred it fresh if possible for the best melt
Butter: Melted butter brushed over the bread gives a golden and tender crust
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds savory and nutty crunch to the finish

Instructions

Prepare the Oven:: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it fully preheat while you get started. This high heat is key for crisping the crust perfectly.
Brown the Beef:: Place your lean ground beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in half the dried oregano, the garlic powder, and kosher salt. Stir often and cook until the beef crumbles are browned with no pink left. Drain well to avoid a greasy filling.
Mix Beef with Sauce:: Allow the beef to cool for a few minutes. Stir in a third of a cup of pizza sauce until the meat is coated and saucy but not soupy. This keeps the loaf flavorful and moist inside.
Shape the Pizza Bread:: Unroll the chilled pizza dough onto a baking sheet with sides to prevent any cheese from escaping during baking. Use your hands to gently stretch and flatten the dough to a rectangle.
Layer Fillings:: Spread half a cup of pizza sauce straight down the center third of the dough. Lay out the provolone cheese slices evenly for meltiness in every bite. Scatter the pepperoni on top of the cheese and spoon the saucy beef over that. Sprinkle the mountain of mozzarella all over the top to finish the filling.
Form the Loaf:: Use a knife or pizza cutter to make cuts about one inch apart along both sides of the dough toward the filling but leaving the center intact. Carefully pull each cut strip across the filling, alternating sides to form a braid. This encloses all the goodness while creating a decorative effect.
Butter and Season:: Brush the entire surface generously with melted butter for a golden finish. Sprinkle on grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining dried oregano for extra flavor.
Bake:: Slide the sheet into the hot oven. Bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes until the dough turns golden brown and the smell in your kitchen is irresistible.
Serve with Sauce:: While the bread bakes, warm the rest of your pizza sauce in a small pot. Once baked, slice and serve the pizza bread with warm sauce for dipping.

A delicious pepperoni pizza with a side of marinara sauce. | myhomemaderecipe.com

My favorite part of this recipe is always watching the cheese stretch when you pull apart that first slice. Parmesan sprinkled on top forms a crisp crust that my kids sneak bites of before dinner is even officially served.

Storage Tips

Once cooled completely, wrap leftover pizza bread tightly in foil or place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to three days and reheats best in a toaster oven or regular oven for about ten minutes at 350 degrees until warm and crisp. Freezing slices individually works well for lunches or snacks—just thaw and reheat.

Ingredient Substitutions

No provolone in the fridge Use all mozzarella or try Monterey Jack for a mild bite. If you are out of ground beef, spicy Italian sausage or cooked ground turkey will work as a flavorful swap. You can add olives or swap the pepperoni for Canadian bacon if you are looking to change up the meat.

Serving Suggestions

Meat Lovers Pizza Bread shines as a main dish with a green salad and some roasted vegetables. For a party platter cut into thick strips and serve with extra pizza sauce or ranch dressing for dipping. Leftovers make a filling addition to lunchboxes the next day.

Cultural Notes

This recipe takes inspiration from classic American pizza parlor fare but adapts it into a stromboli-like shape that kids and adults both love. This sort of hand-held pizza bread became popular in the Midwest in the nineties as a portable way to bring that gooey pizza goodness to potlucks and sports games.

A delicious pepperoni pizza with cheese and tomato sauce on a wooden cutting board. | myhomemaderecipe.com

I have learned through trial and error that high-quality jarred pizza sauce makes a huge difference. Rich tomato flavor with a little tang brings everything together and keeps the bread from tasting dry. This recipe gets requested again and again at my house and I bet it will be a new favorite in yours too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What meats are included in this pizza bread?: This bread features cooked lean ground beef and thin-sliced pepperoni layered inside the dough for a robust, meaty flavor.
→ What cheeses are used?: Provolone slices and shredded mozzarella provide a creamy and gooey texture, while Parmesan is sprinkled on top for a savory finish.
→ How do you get the bread golden and flavorful?: Brushing melted butter over the wrapped dough and finishing with grated Parmesan and oregano ensures a golden, flavorful crust.
→ Is sauce served inside or as a dip?: Some pizza sauce is layered inside with the fillings, and the remaining sauce is heated and served on the side for dipping.
→ Can I use other meats or cheeses?: Absolutely! Swap ground beef or pepperoni for your favorites, or try different cheese blends according to your taste.
→ How do you braid the dough?: Cut 1-inch strips along the dough and cross them over the filling for a braided bread appearance before baking.