A cheesy, savory, stuffed bread packed with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and all your favorite pizza-inspired fillings.
Don’t let the name fool you—Garbage Bread is anything but garbage! This fun, hearty recipe is made by stuffing pizza dough with a flavorful mixture of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and classic toppings, then rolling it up and baking it until golden brown and delicious.
It’s the perfect recipe when you want something casual, comforting, and easy to share. Best of all, you can customize the filling with whatever you have in the refrigerator.
Why You’ll Love This Garbage Bread
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Great way to use leftover ingredients
- Cheesy, hearty, and incredibly satisfying
- Perfect for game days, parties, or family dinners
- Easy to customize
- Delicious served with warm marinara sauce
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning for topping
For the Bread
- 1 pound refrigerated or homemade pizza dough
- Flour, for rolling
- Marinara or pizza sauce, for serving
How to Make Garbage Bread
1. Cook the Ground Beef
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef and diced onion.
Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is tender, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
Drain any excess grease.
Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
Cook for another minute, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Allow the beef mixture to cool slightly.
2. Roll Out the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface.
Roll the pizza dough into a large rectangle, roughly 12 × 16 inches.
Try to keep the dough an even thickness so it rolls easily and cooks evenly.
3. Add the Fillings
Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Sprinkle the cooked beef mixture evenly over the sauce.
Add the pepperoni, mozzarella, and cheddar.
Don’t overload the center with too much filling, or the bread can become difficult to roll and seal.
4. Roll It Up
Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends underneath.
Place the loaf seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Brush With Butter
Brush the top of the bread with melted butter.
Sprinkle with a little Italian seasoning.
For an extra cheesy finish, you can also add a small handful of mozzarella or Parmesan over the top.
6. Bake
Bake for approximately 25–35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling inside.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the final portion of baking.
Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5–10 minutes before slicing.
Tips for the Best Garbage Bread
Don’t Overfill the Dough
It can be tempting to add as much filling as possible, but too much filling can cause the loaf to split while baking.
Drain the Beef Well
Excess grease can make the bread soggy, so drain the cooked beef before assembling.
Let the Filling Cool
Allow the beef mixture to cool slightly before placing it on the dough. Very hot filling can make the dough difficult to handle.
Seal the Edges
Pinch the seam firmly and place the loaf seam-side down to help keep the filling inside.
Let It Rest Before Cutting
Waiting a few minutes before slicing gives the melted cheese time to settle and makes the bread easier to cut.
Easy Variations
The best thing about Garbage Bread is that there really isn’t one way to make it.
Pepperoni Pizza Garbage Bread
Skip the ground beef and load the dough with pepperoni, mozzarella, pizza sauce, mushrooms, and your favorite pizza toppings.
Cheeseburger Garbage Bread
Use seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, diced onions, pickles, and a little burger sauce.
Italian Garbage Bread
Add Italian sausage, mozzarella, pepperoni, roasted peppers, and Italian seasoning.
Chicken Bacon Ranch
Replace the beef with cooked chicken and add crispy bacon, mozzarella, and ranch seasoning.
Supreme Pizza Version
Add mushrooms, peppers, onions, olives, pepperoni, sausage, and plenty of mozzarella.
What to Serve With Garbage Bread
Garbage Bread is delicious on its own, but a dipping sauce makes it even better.
Serve it with:
- Warm marinara sauce
- Pizza sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic butter
- Parmesan dipping sauce
- A simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
For parties, slice the bread into smaller pieces and serve several dipping sauces alongside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Garbage Bread?
The name comes from the idea of throwing a variety of leftover or favorite ingredients into a stuffed bread. It’s essentially a delicious “everything but the kitchen sink” recipe.
Can I use refrigerated pizza dough?
Yes. Store-bought refrigerated pizza dough works perfectly and makes this recipe especially quick.
Can I make Garbage Bread ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the filling ahead and refrigerate it. Assemble the bread when you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Allow the baked bread to cool completely, wrap it well, and freeze it. Reheat until hot throughout.
Can I use different cheese?
Absolutely. Mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a combination of cheeses can work beautifully.
Can I add vegetables?
Definitely. Diced peppers, mushrooms, onions, spinach, olives, or other pizza toppings are great additions.
Final Thoughts
Garbage Bread is the kind of recipe that’s meant to be flexible.
Start with pizza dough, add seasoned meat, plenty of cheese, and whatever favorite toppings you have on hand. Roll everything together, bake until golden, and slice into warm, cheesy pieces.
It’s simple, filling, customizable, and perfect for turning ordinary leftovers into something everyone will want another piece of.
Serve it warm with marinara for dipping, and don’t be surprised when the entire loaf disappears!
