Best Loaded Italian Bread Recipes

ITALIAN DELI STYLE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the bread halves on a sheet tray. Drizzle the olive oil on each half of the bread, then spread on the marinara sauce evenly. Layer on the sopressata and hard salami by folding and overlapping the slices. Top with the Parmesan and smoked mozzarella.
• Bake until the cheese is bubbling and the meat is very hot, 8 to 10 minutes. (Finish under the broiler if desired.)
• Immediately distribute the olives and peppers evenly. Grate the ricotta salata over the top, then sprinkle on the Pecorino-Romano.
• Sprinkle the chile flakes on top, and top with the fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Cut each half into 8 slices. Serve immediately.

THE BEST GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is golden and the garlic is very fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Liberally brush the crust with the garlic butter. Turn the bread cut-side up. Slice each loaf crosswise at 2-inch intervals without cutting all the way through, making "pull-apart" garlic bread. Liberally brush the cut sides of the bread with more garlic butter, spreading any remaining garlic evenly over top. You should use all the garlic butter. Carefully transfer the bread to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Sprinkle the loaves with the Parmesan and a pinch of salt and bake until the edges of the bread are a deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with the parsley. Serve warm.

MOM'S ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place each loaf seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow slashes across top of each loaf. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

LOADED ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients together EXCEPT the bread.
• Slice the bread in half horizontally and spread the mixture evenly over both sides.
• Put the bread spread side up on a cookie sheet and broil until edges are browned and cheese is melted being careful not to burn it.

LOADED GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat 2 large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place bacon on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels.
• Cover with another piece of paper towel.
• Microwave on high for 4 minutes or until slightly crisp.
• Drain off fat; set aside.
• When cool enough to handle, cut into thin strips.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes or until fragrant; remove from heat.
• Place bread on baking sheets.
• Spoon on butter and garlic.
• Top each with a slice of cheese; sprinkle with bacon.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until cheese melts and bacon is crisp.
• Cool slightly before serving.