PEPPERONI PIZZA STUFFED GARLIC BREAD

PEPPERONI PIZZA STUFFED GARLIC BREAD

So I’ve seemingly tripped at the entrance of 2017 and fallen clean past the “healthy eating of the New Year” phase, straight down to the foot of Super Bowl snack-time. Oh nooooo… ?

Ah, I can’t even pretend to be bummed about it.

We’re watching the Super Bowl at our place this year, which means menu experimentation is starting early. The stakes are high. I’ve got a serious snack reputation to uphold, and everyone knows that the best part of the Super Bowl is the food.

And the beer. Can’t forget the commercials. Oh and I guess there’s also the actual game.

I kid. I actually really enjoy watching football! I’m looking forward to the Super Bowl, though my team’s already out of the running this year… which is par for the course. But if your team is still in this thing, then may the odds be ever in your favor. And if you and I are in the same, sad camp, not to worry. You can be your own champion this year when you make this Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Garlic Bread.

INGREDIENTS

1 sturdy Italian loaf or French baguette
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup pizza sauce, plus more to serve
½ cup parmesan cheese, plus more to top
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped, plus more to top
½ teaspoon dried oregano
6 ounces (about 1 1/2 cup) thick pepperoni slices, chopped, divided
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
Crushed red pepper flakes, optional, to top

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Cut the loaf into 4 equal-sized pieces. Use a long knife to remove the insides, keeping some bread along the edges. Pull out the loose bread to leave hollow bread quarters. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, parmesan, basil, dried oregano, and 1 cup of the chopped pepperoni. Mix well to combine.
Stuff the baguette quarters with the pizza dip mixture, using a spoon to help pack the dip in.
Once the bread is stuffed, transfer it to a cutting board. Line up the quarters so that they fit together as they did before the loaf was cut. Slice the bread into pieces that are approximately 1″ thick.
Tear a piece of heavy duty foil that is about 5-6 inches longer than the loaf. Slide the loaf slices off of the cutting board and onto the foil, keeping them together.
In a small bowl, combine the butter and minced garlic. Loosely cover the top and microwave for a minute, or until the butter is fully melted. Brush the garlic butter over the baguette, allowing some to drip down between the slices. Make sure to get all of the minced garlic on top of the bread. Top with the remaining pepperoni and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese.
Wrap the foil around the bread and bake for 15 minutes. Unwrap the bread and bake for 5 minutes, or until the top browns slightly.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and basil, and serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

More Deliciouse Recipe PEPPERONI PIZZA STUFFED GARLIC BREAD @ hostthetoast.com