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Margherita French Bread Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 88 reviews

This Margherita French Bread Pizza is a delightful fusion of Italian flavors and easy preparation. Featuring a crispy French bread base topped with a fresh tomato sauce made from chopped beefsteak tomatoes, seasoned with Italian herbs, and covered with melted mozzarella cheese, this recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic Margherita pizza with a crunchy twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Sauce

  • 2–3 Beefsteak tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

French Bread Base

  • 1 Loaf French bread
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil

Toppings

  • 3 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Tomato slices (from additional tomatoes or reserved slices)
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the top off the loaf of French bread and carefully hollow out the middle to create a cavity for the toppings. Drizzle the inside and top of the hollowed-out bread with olive oil, then bake for 5-6 minutes until the bread develops a golden-brown, crispy crust.
  2. Make tomato sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the roughly chopped beefsteak tomatoes, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Use a fork or spoon to mash the ingredients together until they form a chunky, flavorful sauce.
  3. Assemble the pizza: Remove the French bread from the oven. Spread the prepared tomato sauce evenly inside the hollowed-out bread. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Add fresh tomato slices on top of the cheese for added texture and flavor.
  4. Bake to melt cheese: Return the assembled bread pizza to the oven at 375°F and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  5. Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fragrant finish, then slice and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh, ripe beefsteak tomatoes for the best flavor.
  • Hollowing out the French bread prevents it from becoming soggy and creates space for the toppings.
  • The tomato sauce is chunky and fresh, not cooked beforehand, which keeps the pizza vibrant and fresh-tasting.
  • You can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the crispy crust and melted cheese.

Keywords: Margherita pizza, French bread pizza, easy pizza recipe, homemade pizza, Italian pizza, tomato mozzarella pizza

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/margherita-french-bread-pizza-recipe/