Homemade French Bread Pizza – Ready in Just 45 Minutes

French bread pizza is an easy homemade meal featuring crispy bread, garlic butter, rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want the flavor of homemade pizza without preparing dough from scratch.

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This French bread pizza recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook. It serves 3–4 people and uses simple ingredients available at most grocery stores. The secret to getting the best results is spreading garlic butter over the bread, thickening the tomato sauce, and baking the pizza in two stages.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup (15 g) minced fresh parsley or basil leaves, or a mix
• Kosher salt
• 1 large loaf French or Italian bread, about 18 inches long and 4 inches wide, split lengthwise and crosswise
• 1 (14.5-ounce; 400 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 8 ounces (225 g) freshly grated whole milk mozzarella cheese
• 2 ounces (60 g) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Adjust the oven rack to the upper position and preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter

Heat the butter and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until the butter melts. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic softens without browning.

Stir in half of the parsley or basil and a generous pinch of salt. Remove from the heat.

Step 3: Prepare the Bread

Place the bread cut-side up on a clean work surface. Press it down evenly using a rimmed baking sheet until it reaches about two-thirds of its original height.

Transfer the bread to the baking sheet. Brush half of the garlic butter mixture over the cut surfaces, making sure to distribute the garlic and herbs evenly.

Step 4: Cook the Tomato Sauce

Add the crushed tomatoes to the remaining garlic butter mixture. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat.

Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and develops a richer flavor. Season with salt to taste.

Step 5: Add the First Layer of Cheese

Spread one-quarter of the mozzarella over the prepared bread. Bake for approximately 8 minutes, until the cheese is barely melted. Remove the bread from the oven while the sauce finishes cooking.

Step 6: Add the Sauce and Remaining Cheese

Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the bread, then cover with the remaining mozzarella.

Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese melts and begins to brown lightly.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano and the remaining parsley or basil. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

Allow the pizza to cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 740
• Fat: 43 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Protein: 28 g

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients and serving size.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 3 -4