Skip to main content

The Works Pizza Bread

3.5

(5)

The deep hollow created by emptying the bread is filled with lots of goodies, and this becomes a deep-dish pizza.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 2 to 4

Ingredients

1 18 x 4-inch 1-pound French bread
12 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed very dry
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons purchased pesto sauce
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
3 4 3/4-ounce cans eggplant appetizer (caponata)
3/4 cup purchased marinara sauce or pizza sauce

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Horizontally, cut off top 1/3 of bread and reserve for another use. Scoop or cut out interior of bread, leaving 1/2-inch shell. Place shell on large baking sheet.

    Step 2

    Fry sausage in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up with fork, about 10 minutes. Drain all fat from skillet. Combine spinach and 1/2 cup pesto in small bowl. Sprinkle half of cheese over bottom of bread shell. Spread spinach mixture over cheese. Arrange sausage evenly over spinach layer. Spread eggplant appetizer over.

    Step 3

    Bake pizza until filling is heated through, about 20 minutes. Combine marinara sauce with remaining cheese and spread over top of pizza. Dot with remaining 2 tablespoons pesto. Bake until cheese melts and topping bubbles, about 12 minutes.

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Glossy, intensely chocolaty, and spiked with coffee and sour cream, this Bundt is the ultimate all-purpose dessert.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.