ULTIMATE CHEESY GARBAGE BREAD
This Cheesy Garbage Bread is the ultimate customizable appetizer or meal, perfect for using up leftovers. It's a warm, crusty bread loaded with a molten blend of cheeses, savory meats, and flavorful veggies, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- serrated knife
- Small bowl
- Large bowl
- Mixing spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread about 1 pound
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled Italian sausage
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ¼ cup diced pepperoni
- ½ cup chopped black olives
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ cup chopped banana peppers optional
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Using a serrated knife, slice the loaf of Italian bread horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through the bottom crust, leaving a hinge.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- Brush this mixture evenly over the cut surfaces of the bread.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined and creamy.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the cut surfaces of the bread.
- Sprinkle the cooked sausage, bacon, pepperoni, olives, bell pepper, red onion, and banana peppers (if using) evenly over the cheese.
- Press the toppings gently into the cheese to help them adhere.
- Carefully close the loaf of bread and wrap it tightly in aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped loaf on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- Unwrap the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Don't overstuff the bread with toppings. Use quality cheese for the best flavor. Ensure the cream cheese is softened for a smoother filling. Wrapping the bread in foil initially is essential for even heating. Get creative with your toppings and try different variations like Pizza Garbage Bread, Buffalo Chicken Garbage Bread, or Vegetarian Garbage Bread. You can assemble the bread a few hours ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Slightly stale bread works best for this recipe.