As health-conscience as my mom was growing up, she was not above shoving a frozen French bread pizza in the oven. I’m so glad I was privy to that childhood experience!
Lately I dunno why–maybe I’ve been browsing Pinterest too much–but I’ve been craving really trashy French bread pizza. But since I am a person who cooks stuff for a living, I figured I’d make a non-frozen version that is slightly classy. I figured I’d try and give it a bit of a facelift (not that it really needs it!).
I decided the route that I should go is a variety of toppings. French bread pizzas, every which way for everyone!
Here are the flavors:
1. baby meatballs + red bell pepper
2. prosciutto + pineapple (hello hawaiian pizza)
3. egg yolk + kale
4. parmesan + mozzarella + crispy sage leaves + mushrooms
5. prosciutto + arugula
My hope is to have kids one day and this will be a sure-fire thing I make them because no one should be deprived of fun food like French bread pizzas.
Ingredients
French Bread Pizza Basics:
- 2 to 4 loaves of French bread
- 1 to 2 cups homemade or store-bought marinara sauce
- 3 to 4 cups shredded mozzarella
Baby Meatballs & Red Bell Pepper Pizza
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon minced Italian parsley
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan-Reggiano
- 1 garlic clove peeled and minced
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced
Hawaiian Pizza
- 3 to 4 slices of prosciutto
- 5 cubes of frozen pineapple diced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro
Egg yolk & Kale:
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced kale
- Olive oil
- Salt
- 2 egg yolks
Mushroom & Sage Pizza:
- Olive oil
- 4 to 5 sage leaves
- Salt
- 2 to 3 cremini mushrooms diced
- 1 garlic clove
Prosciutto + Arugula:
- 2 to 3 slices of prosciutto
- 1/4 cup arugula leaves
Instructions
- To make the baby meatballs French bread pizza: mix together all of the ingredients (except the red bell pepper). Form baby meatballs. Add a few teaspoons of olive oil to a skillet. Sear on both sides for about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small bowl. Assemble the French bread pizzas by smothering on tomato sauce, topping it with a handful of mozzarella, arranging a few meatballs and a few slices of red bell pepper
- To make the prosciutto and pineapple pizza: Add a few teaspoons of tomato sauce to the French bread slices. Top with a handlful of mozzarella and pineapple. When it exists the oven, top with the slices of prosciutto.
- To make the egg yolks and kale pizza: Toss the kale with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale until it has softened slightly. Add the kale to the base of the French bread slices. Top with a handful of cheese and the egg yolks.
- To make the mushroom and sage pizza: To a small sauté pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil. When hot, add the sage leaves and fry until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel and immediately sprinkle with salt. In the same saute pan (no need to clean it out, add the diced mushrooms and sprinkle with salt. Cook until slightly softened. Rub the French bread slices with a garlic clove. Top with a few handfuls of mozzarella, sage leaves and mushrooms.
- To make the prosciutto and arugula pizza: Add the tomato sauce on the French bread slices. Top with a few handfuls of mozzarella.
- To bake all of the pizzas: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheeses are melty and the egg yolks have set. Remove from the oven and add the finishing garnishes.
I’m loving bread pizza. Thanks for these great new ideas. Will try these out for our next birthday party.
how in the world do you make your eggs look so perfect? these all look amazing – i’m thinking a combination of the hawaiian with an egg added would be fun to try!
I used to make french bread pizzas using Appian Way pizza sauce, which I don’t think they make any more.
Does the egg yolk and kale pizza taste as good as it looks?
Thanks for the “good and good for you” recipes!
I never did like frozen French bread pizzas (I was more of a Totino’s girl – I still love those cheapy cheap pizzas!) but man do I love homemade French bread pizzas. And now I’m craving them…easy dinner for next week!
What a fun idea! Love all of the topping choices!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Yes yes! My mom would always make open faced BLTs with cheese on French bread – the best!
So fancy indeed! Looks like the perfect sunday night game snack
How fun! I haven’t had French Bread Pizza since I was a kid! I want that egg on my pizza. 🙂
French bread pizza was my jam growing up!!
Homemade french bread pizzas are sooooo much better than the frozen variety. And when you get a nice artisanal loaf of bread and use sophisticated toppings it can easily become an elegant meal. These pizzas are beautiful.
Yes! It was always a treat to enjoy a frozen French bread pizza as a kid! I love this grown-up take on the childhood favorite, and I’ll definitely be making these!
xx Allison
I love French bread pizza – these look so good, I am seriously impressed.
Unlike your healthy childhood, nearly all of my dinners came from the freezer or a can! It explains why I cook so much from fresh now I think, I’m rebelling against my packet food childhood.
I will definitely be making these, I really like them cold for my packed lunch at work – yum!