Description

This Garbage Bread with Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mash-up — a golden, crispy loaf stuffed with melted cheese, savory meats, and all your favorite sandwich fillings. Think of it as a cross between a calzone and a loaded sandwich roll, perfect for game nights, parties, or a quick family dinner. Easy to customize with whatever ingredients you have on hand, it’s cheesy, hearty, and utterly irresistible.

Ingredients

• Pizza Dough: Homemade or store-bought, soft and stretchy, perfect for rolling and wrapping.
• Ground Beef: Provides hearty flavor and a satisfying texture; you can substitute with ground turkey or sausage.
• Onion: Finely chopped for a savory foundation.
• Green Bell Pepper: Adds color and crunch.
• Garlic: Enhances the flavor depth and aroma.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The star of the show — melty, stringy, and comforting.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and extra richness.
• Pizza Sauce or Marinara: Brings everything together with a tangy, savory base.
• Italian Seasoning: A perfect blend of herbs that makes the filling taste like a pizza parlor favorite.
• Olive Oil: For brushing the dough and achieving a golden crust.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To season the filling.
• Optional Add-ins: Mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, spinach, or jalapeños for extra flavor.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly dust the surface with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Filling

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add chopped onion, green pepper, and garlic, sautéing until tender. Stir in the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Try to keep the edges even — this will help with sealing later.

Step 4: Add the Filling

Spread the cooled meat mixture evenly across the dough, leaving about an inch border around the edges. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Add any optional toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms for extra flavor.

Step 5: Roll and Seal

Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log, just like you would for cinnamon rolls. Pinch the seam and tuck the ends underneath to seal everything inside. Place the roll seam-side down on the baking sheet.

Step 6: Brush and Bake

Brush the top of the roll with olive oil. If you’d like extra color and texture, sprinkle with grated Parmesan or a pinch of garlic powder. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.

Step 7: Rest and Slice

Allow the bread to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the cheese set slightly and makes slicing easier.

Notes

You can use pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or even puff pastry as the base.
Mix and match fillings — try pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, or leftover roasted veggies.
For extra flavor, brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle garlic powder or Italian seasoning before baking.
Let the bread rest for 10 minutes before slicing to keep the fillings from spilling out.
Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or spicy cheese dip for the perfect finishing touch.
Leftovers can be wrapped in foil and reheated in the oven for a crispy texture.
Great for meal prep — freeze unbaked loaves and bake straight from frozen.